Executive Orders and Guidance to Address COVID-19 Surge
On December 17, Governor Larry Hogan announced new actions to slow the spread of COVID-19 during the holidays. You can find updated executive orders and guidance here.
On December 15, the Montgomery County Council approved County Executive Marc Elrich’s Executive Order 139-20AM2 that suspends indoor dining, reduces indoor sports gatherings to no more than 10 people and reduces the maximum capacity of retail establishments.
Holiday Office Closures and Household Trash Collection
The Town office will be closed on December 31 and January 1. Household trash will not be collected on Friday, January 1 but will be collected on your next regularly scheduled trash day.
Public Hearing on Emergency Plan for the 2021 Election
On January 13, the Town Council will hold a public hearing on an ordinance to adopt an emergency plan for the 2021 Town Council election. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the Town Council has discussed continuing a universal vote-by mail system for the 2021 Town election with some changes to protect voter privacy. The Council discussed and introduced an ordinance to implement these procedures at its December 9 meeting. If you are unable to attend the January Council meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. via Zoom, you may submit comments to townoffice@townofchevychase.org.
Traffic Study to be Presented to Council in January
At its January 13 meeting, the Council will be presented with the results of the Town-wide traffic study along with a report from the Town’s Public Services Committee with its recommendations regarding the study. Following the presentation, a public meeting will be scheduled to allow residents to review and ask questions about the study, and a work session will be scheduled for the Council to discuss the study’s findings and the PSC’s recommendations in more detail. Future meetings will be advertised in the Forecast newsletter and via the Town Crier, and no mitigation strategies will be adopted before community presentations and a public hearing.
Council Approves New Regulations & Rebate Program
At its December meeting, the Town Council approved new regulations of accessory dwelling units and of gas-powered blowers. The Council also approved a rebate program for the purchase of battery-powered blowers and related equipment. The new regulations and program are summarized below.
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Regulations
An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a second dwelling unit located on a lot with a single-family house. The County adopted new rules for ADUs that went into effect on December 31, 2019. Under the County’s new rules, one ADU may be located on every lot, either within the house (attached) or in the rear yard (detached). In December, the Town Council approved stricter setback rules than the County for detached ADUs by requiring that they have the same side setbacks as the main house as well as rear setbacks of at least 15% of the lot depth or 20 feet, whichever is greater. The ordinance also requires exterior lighting to be directed away from neighbors’ windows. The Town did not impose stricter requirements than the County for attached ADUs or for parking for ADUs.
Gas-Powered Blower Regulations
The new regulations are in response to resident concerns about noise and other impacts of this type of landscaping equipment. Specifically, they 1) expand quiet hours during which the use of gas-powered blowers is prohibited and 2) implement a ban on the use of gas-powered blowers from January 1 through October 14, effective in 2022. The regulations exempt gas-powered snow blowers and sprayers and do not include a total ban of gas-powered blowers. Montgomery County noise regulations also remain in effect in the Town.
Battery-Powered Blower Rebate Program
The Council approved a rebate program for battery-powered blowers and related equipment that is intended to reduce the noise from landscaping activities. Residents may request a rebate for half the cost of the purchase of a battery-powered blower, batteries, and chargers, up to a maximum rebate of $200 per household. The equipment may be purchased by a resident or by a contractor for use in landscaping activities on the resident’s property. The Council approved a supplemental appropriation of $30,000 to fund the program; these funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis from January 1, 2021 until May 31, 2021.
County's Proposed Zoning Text Amendment 20-07
Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 20-07, introduced at the County Council’s December 8 meeting, proposes zoning changes to allow owners of R-60 properties (less than 25,000 square feet in size) located within one mile of a Metrorail station entrance to build duplexes, townhouses, and other multi-family structures (e.g., small apartment buildings). All properties in the Town are zoned R-60. All but a few properties near the corner of Bradley Lane and Connecticut Avenue are within 1 mile of the Bethesda Metro station, and about a third of the properties in the Town are located within one-half mile of the station.
The ZTA proposes that the multi-family structures would have to meet the County’s R-60 building height and setbacks. Multi-family structures on lots located one-half mile to 1 mile from a Metrorail station also would have to meet the County’s lot coverage and minimum parking requirements. Those within one-half mile of the station would have less restrictive lot coverage limits and would have reduced parking requirements.
The County Council will hold a public hearing on ZTA 20-07 on February 9, 2021. Here is a link to the full text of the ZTA.
The Town’s Subcommittee on Regional Growth and Development has been tasked by the Town Council to study ZTA 20-07 and make recommendations to the Town about possible responses.
If you have questions or comments, please send them to townoffice@townofchevychase.org.
Montgomery County Climate Action Plan Webinar
Thursday, January 21, 7 p.m. Via Zoom
Montgomery County is going green! The county recently released its draft Climate Action Plan (CAP), a comprehensive roadmap for reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2027 and 100% by 2035. In the first webinar of the Climate & Environment Committee's Green Town Series, we'll be joined by Adriana Hochberg, assistant to County Executive Marc Elrich, who will give an overview of Montgomery County's CAP and answer questions as the County moves toward finalizing the plan by Spring 2021. If you cannot attend the event, a recording will be posted.
A link to the webinar will be shared in the near future.
Winter Clothing Drive Continues Until February 28
As the pandemic surges and the weather gets colder, our neighbors are in particular need of warm winter clothing. Each year our Town donates winter clothing to Interfaith Works, which distributes it to 13,000 income-qualified residents, including nearly 6,000 children. Please donate clean, gently used or never worn clothing, such as coats, gloves, hats, and socks, as well as waterproof winter wear. The 24-hour donation box is on the front porch of Marjorie Shaw and Barney Rush at 6917 Maple Avenue.
Holiday Tips for Waste Collection Crews Accepted at Town Office
Any holiday tips that residents wish to provide to the Town’s waste collection crews may be mailed to the Town office (4301 Willow Lane, Chevy Chase, MD 20815). Town staff will distribute the tips to the specified crew members or, if not specified, to the crew supervisor. Below is more information on the waste collection crews. Please mail any tips by December 31. Thank you.
Main Crew (Monday-Friday)
Driver – Jose M.
Helper – Luis M.
Helper – Sifelani M.
Supplemental Crew (Monday & Wednesday)
Driver – Jorge V.
Helper – Nicholas J.
Helper – Marvin V.
Town Office Schedule and Updates Related to COVID-19
Town staff continues on a telework schedule. Residents who need to drop off materials to the Town office may use the mailbox located outside the front door to the Town Hall. We will try to process all permits and other applications in a timely manner. Phone calls and email are being monitored and answered as usual. In addition, the Jane Lawton Recreation Center remains closed until further notice. For current Montgomery County closures, please check here.
Residents are encouraged to connect with the Town through the Town Crier email alert system and with fellow residents through the private Town Neighbors listserv. For information on how to join the Town Neighbors listserv, please email townneighbors+owner@groups.io. Both resources offer an important way to stay informed and in touch.
The Town website provides links to official resources for more information on coronavirus preparedness and response.
Important Phone Numbers
Click here for a list of important phone numbers. In case of emergencies, always call 911.
Upcoming Meetings & Events
Click here to view the Town calendar.