Takoma Park Council Votes to Convert to LED Streetlights
The Takoma Park City Council recently voted unanimously to replace all of its traditional streetlights with high-efficiency LED fixtures, according to an announcement on the city’s website.
Council introduces bill to ban smoking in outdoor serving areas
The county’s smoking ban would be expanded to include outdoor serving areas such as patios, decks or porches operated by restaurants under a bill introduced by the County Council this week. Councilmember Sidney Katz (D-District 3) is the lead sponsor of Bill 35-18, Health and Sanitation – Smoking- Outdoor Serving Areas, which is cosponsored by Council President Hans Riemer (D-At … Read More
Two New County Laws Go Into Effect on Sunday
Owners of short-term rentals through services such as airbnb will be required to register and license the properties. Graphic from Wikimedia Commons Two significant pieces of legislation will take effect in Montgomery County on Sunday, July 1. One will require owners of short-term residential rentals to register and license their rental properties. The second will raise the county’s minimum wage, … Read More
$300,000 Dale Drive pedestrian safety study to begin in July
An example of the aftermath of an accident on Dale Drive. Photo by Julie Englund. A $300,000 study on potential long-term pedestrian safety enhancements to Dale Drive will begin in July following the County Council’s final budget approval yesterday. The funding for the Department of Transportation work was proposed in March by Councilmember Tom Hucker (D-District 5) during a hearing … Read More
Long Branch, Bonifant businesses could get county funding
Purple Line construction continues along Arliss for planned tunnel. Photo by Mike Diegel. Businesses in a portion of Long Branch and along Bonifant Street could receive funding to help offset the effects of Purple Line construction under terms of an amendment to the FY2017-2022 Capital Improvement Program. The amendment was requested by the County Executive and approved last week by … Read More
Council schedules hearing on deportation legal assistance funding
Photo from Wikimedia Commons The County Council has scheduled a public hearing on a special appropriation that would provide funding for legal assistance to “Residents Detained for Deportation Proceedings,” according to a press release. The hearing will be held Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. on the proposal to appropriate $374,957 from the general fund’s undesignated reserve. The special … Read More
Zoning change, budget hearings to highlight council’s week
Stella B. Werner Council Office Building. Montgomery County photo. A change in zoning regulations to attract large companies and a series of operating budget hearings highlight this week’s County Council business. County Executive Ike Leggett requested that the council introduce Zoning Text Amendment 18-05, Uses, Use Standards, and Regulatory Approvals – Signature Business Headquarters, which would revise the review process … Read More
Legislature passes bond bills granting funds to two local nonprofits
The state legislature yesterday passed bond bills that will provide matching grants to help two nonprofits move into new spaces in the Silver Spring Library.
Local students stage walkout, march to Washington for gun control
Students head down Colesville Road for a march on Washginton. Several hundred Montgomery Blair High School students joined others from the area yesterday to march on Washington to demand new gun controls in the aftermath of the high school killings last week in Parkland, Fla. The students began gathering at 9:30 a.m. and walked down Colesville Road accompanied by a … Read More