Landlords would not be permitted to increase residential rents during the COVID-19 emergency under the terms of a bill introduced yesterday by Councilmember Will Jawando (D-At Large). Expedited Bill 18-20, Landlord-Tenant Relations – Rent Stabilization During Emergencies (the COVID-18 Renter Relief Act) also would prevent rent increase notices for 30 days after the emergency ends.
All rental units in the county will be required to provide air conditioning under the terms of a bill passed unanimously yesterday by the County Council. The bill will require that individual air conditioning units, or a central air conditioning system, be maintained in good working condition to provide an inside temperature of 80 degrees or less from June 1 through Sept. 30.
The newest commissioner on the Montgomery County Planning Board refers to himself as “the accidental candidate” when talking about his appointment. Partap Verma, who joined the board in July, looks at this as a natural transformation from work he began after moving to the Forest Glen area in 2013. His priorities include pedestrian safety, affordable housing, and the upcoming Silver Spring master plan process.
Washington Property Company has entered into a contract with Colichio Consulting to assist with the establishment of a food hall/city market in its next Silver Spring apartment project, Solaire 8200 Dixon, the company announced. The market concept was first revealed in May by Charles K. Nulsen III, WPC president, in an interview with the Source.
The Takoma Park City Council has adopted a long-term housing and economic development strategic plan, city officials announced. The 2019-2030 Housing and Economic Development Strategic Plan is designed to be a “coordinated approach needed to move Takoma Park towards a ‘Livable Community for All’ for this and future generations,” according to the introduction.
Halloween is Thursday, one week from today, and there are numerous event planned over the next week to celebrate (including the annual Zombie Walk). If your favorite venue isn’t listed, check directly with them. In the meantime, there’s an adoption event with the Humane Rescue Alliance at the Go Brent offices on Saturday, which is also Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Manna Food Center will sponsor a rescued food cooking contest at Sunday’s Farmers Market in Silver Spring, and the Society for the Preservation of Beers from the Wood will hold a beer crawl at the Silver Spring breweries. Check the full post for many more events this week.
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.
The Planning Board yesterday declined to place a building at 900 Spring St. on the Locational Atlas and List of Historic Sites. The 5-0 vote rejected a staff recommendation to list the former headquarters of the National Sand & Gravel Association and National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, which opened in 1964.
As yet, the school board and MCPS officials are not free of political pressures. As of early August 2019, the school board had delayed consideration and award of the consulting contract intended to investigate the boundary issue.