Town Testimony on Proposed Zoning Changes
On February 4, 2021, the County Planning Board will hear testimony and discuss its recommendations on Zoning Text Amendment [https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/Resources/Files/zta/2020/ZTA%2020-07.pdf] (ZTA) 20-07, which would allow duplexes, triplexes, townhouses, and apartment buildings to be built in neighborhoods within one mile of a Metrorail station entrance.
Mayor Cecily Baskir will present testimony on behalf of the Town that requests (1) delayed consideration of ZTA 20-07 until after the County Council approves the general plan update (Thrive Montgomery 2050) and (2) confirmation that the Planning Board’s commitment to pursuing “missing middle” housing is not intended to impact the Town’s authority to regulate height, setbacks, massing, and stormwater management for residential development in the Town. Mayor Baskir’s full testimony to the Planning Board can be found here [https://www.townofchevychase.org/DocumentCenter/View/3209/TOCC-Testimony-on-ZTA-20-07-2-4-2021] .
In addition, the Town has been collaborating with other municipalities, neighborhood associations, and community groups (the Coalition) to coordinate a response to the ZTA. The draft Coalition letter to the Planning Board about ZTA 20-07 can be found here [https://www.townofchevychase.org/DocumentCenter/View/3206/Thrive-Montgomery-Coalition_ZTA-20-07_final] .
Residents are encouraged to submit written comments to the Planning Board at MCP-Chair@mncppc-mc.org [mailto:mcp-chair@mncppc-mc.org] no later than noon on February 2, 2021.
Mayor Baskir will also testify before the County Council about ZTA 20-07 on Thursday, February 11, 2021. The Town Council will hold a meeting on Friday, February 5, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. to discuss the Town’s testimony to the County Council. Residents also are encouraged to submit written comments to the County Council at County.Council@MontgomeryCountyMD.gov [mailto:County.Council@MontgomeryCountyMD.gov] by midnight on Tuesday, February 9, 2021.