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Council Approves Youth Sports Funding, Introduces Bill to Change Business Fees
The County Council yesterday approved more than $1 million in two special appropriations to support area youth sports. In addition, two council members introduced a bill to lower annual license fees for county retailers and restaurant operators.
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Council Approves Additional COVID-19 Funding, Amended Executive Order
The County Council yesterday unanimously passed additional targeted funding in response to COVID-19, as well as an amended executive order on county restrictions in response to the pandemic. The council approved a $3.3 million special appropriation to implement the African American Health Program Executive Committee program to provide a response to the impact of the…
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New Bill Would Provide Tax Incentive for Housing on WMATA Property
Councilmembers Hans Riemer and Andrew Friedson introduced legislation Tuesday that would extend Metro’s existing property tax abatement for 15 years for new high-rise development. Bill 29-20, the “More Housing at Metrorail Stations Act,” would require the Director of Finance to offer a payment in lieu of taxes for a high-rise building constructed by a private…
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Council Continues to Add Funding to Assist During COVID-19 Emergency
The County Council continues to propose and appropriate funding to provide various forms of assistance to county residents during the COVID-19 emergency. The council yesterday unanimously approved a special appropriation of $2 million to be used for emergency eviction prevention and housing stabilization programs via a short-term rental subsidy program to low- and moderate-income households.
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Council Votes to Limit Residential Rent Increases During COVID-19 Emergency
The County Council voted to limit residential rent increases during the COVID-19 health emergency and for 180 days after the emergency’s expiration. Expedited Bill 18-20, the COVID-19 Renter Relief Act, prohibits landlords from increasing rents on lease renewals more than the county’s Department of Housing and Community Affairs’ rent guidelines of 2.6 percent.
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Bill Would Prohibit Residential Rent Increases During COVID-19 Emergency
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.
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Navarro Announces Amendment to Community Policing Bill
Activists scored a victory earlier this month when the Montgomery County Council discussed an amendment to a proposed community policing bill that would, among other things, remove language calling for an expansion of the county’s school resource officer program.
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Bill Would Formalize County Community Policing Guidelines
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…
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Small Cell Towers to be Allowed Under Proposed Zoning Amendment
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.