Proposed regulations would help deal with properties like this one, long abandoned on Silver Spring Avenue before demolition. Photo by Mike Mowery. Public comments are due in three days for the Department of Housing and Community Affairs draft regulations to better address unmaintained vacant properties in the county. The proposed regulations follow the passage of a bill enacted in May … Read More
There is a national effort to raise federal, state and local minimum wages. Photo from Wikimedia Commons. The County Council will hold a public hearing tonight on a bill that would raise the local minimum wage to $15 per hour for private-sector employers “over a period of years,” according to a press release. Current law, passed in 2013, sets the … Read More
Photo from firepix1075.zenfolio.com The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service will be able to hire 10 new firefighters following the award of a grant for $1,452,842 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “MCFRS provides innovative, high-quality community service,” said County Executive Ike Leggett in a press release announcing the grants. “They ensure the highest value for tax dollars through fire-prevention, … Read More
WSSC water main project map WSSC has finished marking underground utilities and will begin excavating Colesville Road to replace water mains on Monday, Sept. 18, weather permitting. The project will start near the intersection with Georgia Avenue and move north toward the Beltway as work progresses, the utility said in a press release. Drivers can expect to find one- and … Read More
Graphic from Wikimedia Commons. The County Council will hold a public hearing tonight on changes to the zoning code affecting short-term rentals under services such as Airbnb, Home Away and others. The hearing on Zoning Text Amendment 17-03, Accessory Residential Uses–Short-term Rentals, will be at 7:30 p.m. in the Seventh Floor Council Hearing Room of the Council Office Building at … Read More
Image taken from Montgomery County graphic. County Executive Ike Leggett (D), joined by councilmembers and representatives of the Department of Housing and Community Affairs and the Housing Opportunities Commission, yesterday announced a new “Renters Have Rights” campaign of increased housing inspections and tenant outreach. “Due to our recently updated housing law [Bill 19-15], the Department of Housing and Community Affairs … Read More
Image by Alachua County on Flickr. The Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection has issued an alert about the ubiquitous mailed coupons offering air duct cleaning at what looks like a bargain price. “Most of these firms do not even disclose their business address on their coupons and receipts,” said OCP Director Eric Friedman in a press release. “The coupon-based … Read More
Illustration from Public Domain Pictures. The county has announced its holiday schedule for Labor Day on Monday. All county office will be closed on Labor Day, as will state offices, courts, schools and the school system’s administrative offices. Libraries will be closed on both Sunday and Monday. There will be no trash or recycling pickup Monday. All pickups will be … Read More
The Purple Line Transit Partners announced that the Georgetown Branch Interim Trail would be closed for four to five years beginning Tuesday, Sept. 5.