A bill to formalize community policing guidelines for the county’s police department was introduced this week by Council President Nancy Navarro (D-District 4) and Councilmember Craig Rice (D-District 2). Bill 33-19, Police – Community Policing would address “core community policing values,” diversity on the force, engagements with the community, complaints against county officers and other issues.
Councilmember Evan Glass (D-At Large) has introduced the Housing Impact Fairness Tax (Bill 34-19) that would, under certain conditions, tax new home construction following the demolition of an existing single-family home. Co-sponsored by Councilmember Will Jawando (D-At Large), the bill would earmark the new revenue for school construction and affordable housing initiatives.
Small cell towers for next-generation wireless service would be allowed no closer than 30 feet from a residence or other habitable building under the terms of a proposed zoning text amendment. The ZTA will allow the deployment of new wireless infrastructure.
The County Council yesterday unanimously passed a zoning text amendment to make it easier for homeowners to add accessory dwelling units to their property. An ADU is a separate dwelling unit that is on the same lot as a single dwelling unit with its own entrance, full kitchen and bathroom. The ADU tenant does not have access to the rest of the home. Examples include an apartment over a garage, a basement apartment (known as an “English basement”), an in-law suite, or a so-called tiny house on a side lot.
Landlords would be required to provide and maintain working air conditioning in county rental units under the terms of a bill introduced yesterday by Councilmember Tom Hucker (D-District 5). Systems would have to provide an inside temperature of eighty degrees or less from May 1 through Sept. 30 each year.
Thirteen members of the public would become part of a Policing Advisory Commission under the terms of a bill introduced by Councilmember Hans Riemer (D-At Large). A press conference is scheduled for tomorrow evening. In addition, the county executive’s office release the results of a survey asking the public about the characteristics they would like to see in the county’s next police chief.
Tenants in rental units would be able to break a lease without penalty under certain conditions, according to a bill passed yesterday by the County Council. The bill would trigger the action if a landlord fails to correct violations affecting health and safety once cited by the Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
The Council Council today unanimously named Partap Verma to the Montgomery County Planning Board, an historic appointment as the first Asian Indian and openly gay member. The council also selected Casey Anderson to serve a second term as chairman of the board.
A number of local officials accepted a challenge from the Action Committee for Transit to spend the week of June 10-17 using only public transit, or active modes of transportation such as biking, walking or scooters, to travel around the county. The Source asked one of those participants, Councilmember Hans Riemer (D-At Large), who lives in Takoma Park, what he thought of the experience, and here is his report.