Montgomery County Council Committees to Meet on Monday, September 12

Per Montgomery County:
Committees will receive briefings on the Fire and Explosive Investigations Unit, Community Use of Public Facilities, sewer extension needs for unserved and underserved neighborhoods and the Ten-Year Comprehensive Water Supply and Sewerage Systems Plan 2022-2031; review zoning changes for light vehicle sales and rental, signs and historic resources

The Public Safety (PS) Committee will meet on Monday, Sept. 12, at 9:30 a.m. to receive a briefing on the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) Fire and Explosive Investigations (FEI) Unit.

The members of the PS Committee include Chair Sidney Katz, Council President Gabe Albornoz and Councilmember Tom Hucker.

The Planning, Housing and Economic Development (PHED) Committee will also meet at 9:30 a.m. to discuss zoning text amendments (ZTAs) related to light vehicle sales and rental, signs and historic resources.

The members of the PHED Committee include Chair Hans Riemer and Councilmembers Andrew Friedson (Lead for Parks) and Will Jawando.

The joint Education and Culture (E&C) and Government Operation and Fiscal Policy (GO) Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. to receive a briefing on the Office of Legislative Oversight (OLO) report on the Community Use of Public Facilities.

The members of the E&C Committee include Chair Craig Rice and Councilmembers Will Jawando (Lead for Libraries) and Nancy Navarro.

The members of the GO Committee include Chair Nancy Navarro and Councilmembers Andrew Friedson and Sidney Katz.

The Transportation and Environment (T&E) Committee will also meet at 1:30 p.m. to receive briefings on sewer extensions for unserved and underserved neighborhood and the 2018-2017 Ten-Year Comprehensive Water Supply and Sewerage Systems Plan. The Committee will also discuss and make a recommendation to the Council on a water and sewer category change request.

The members of the T&E Committee include Chair Tom Hucker, Council Vice  Evan Glass and Councilmember Hans Riemer.

More detail on each agenda item is provided below.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service Fire and Explosive Investigations Unit

Briefing: The PS Committee will receive a briefing on the MCFRS FEI unit, which is responsible for rendering explosive devices safe and investigating the causes and origins of fires. Part of this work requires determining whether the fires were criminal acts, and if so, investigating and charging individuals when appropriate. Additionally, FEI tracks trends in fires in an effort to prevent similar incidents.

Zoning Text Amendment 22-04, Commercial Uses – Light Vehicle Sales and Rental (Indoor)

Review: The PHED Committee will discuss ZTA 22-04, Commercial Uses – Light Vehicle Sales and Rental (Indoor). The ZTA would allow indoor Light Vehicle Sales and Rental in the Neighborhood Retail (NR) Zone as a limited use. A limited use was chosen because indoor sales and rental is a less intensive use than outdoor sales and rental. Indoor light Vehicle Sales and Rental in the NR Zone would be subject to the limited use provisions of Section 3.5.12.B.2.a of Montgomery County’s Zoning Ordinance. Councilmembers Navarro and Riemer and Vice President Glass are the lead sponsors.

Zoning Text Amendment 22-05, Signs

Review: The PHED Committee will discuss ZTA 22-05, Signs, which is a rewrite of the sign provisions of the Montgomery County Zoning Ordinance. Changes to the signs provision of the ordinance including removing certain definitions; removing the prohibition on off-site signs; adding provisions for signs in the public right-of-way; adding provisions for temporary signs; and other revisions meant to streamline this section.

The intent of this rewrite is to streamline regulations related to business development and growth in the County consistent with the Speed-to-Market Initiative; preserve the value of property and strengthen community ambiance and character; and promote the compatibility of signs with the surrounding land uses. The lead sponsor is the Council President, at the request of the County Executive.

Zoning Text Amendment 22-06, Exemptions – Historic Resources – Allowed Uses

Review: The PHED Committee will discuss ZTA 22-06, Exemptions – Historic Resources – Allowed Uses. On Jan. 18, 2022, this Council passed ZTA 21-06, which allows certain uses on properties limited in development by a density transfer.

ZTA 22-06 will expand ZTA 21-06 by allowing those uses on historic sites or resources that have an arterial or larger roadway. ZTA 22-06 will also add eating and drinking establishments to the list of allowed uses. Site plan approval, as well as approval by the Historic Preservation Commission, will still be required. The lead sponsor is Councilmember Rice. Councilmembers Navarro, Katz and Friedson are cosponsors.

Community Use of Public Facilities (CUPF)

Briefing: The joint E&C and GO Committee will receive a briefing on the Office of Legislative Oversight (OLO) report on CUPF and discuss fiscal year 2023 operating budget follow-up items. The meeting is expected to include discussion on increasing access to public facilities by underserved populations, the reclassification and recruitment of a marketing and outreach manager, memorandum of understanding agreements with Parks and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and a fee study.

Sewer Extension Needs for Unserved and Underserved Neighborhoods: Final Recommendations of the Bi-County Infrastructure Working Group

Briefing: The T&E Committee will receive a briefing on the Bi-County Infrastructure Working Group report with recommendations to the WSSC Water Commissioners for changes to the current sewer extension process for properties within the planned sewer envelopes in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.

The report examines the sewer extension process for residential properties located within the planned sewer service envelopes in both counties. Currently there are approximately 4,000 properties in unserved or underserved areas which, based on area master plans and Water and Sewer Plan policies, are within planned sewer service areas and eligible for public sewer service.

Amendments to the Comprehensive Water Supply and Sewerage Systems Plan – Category Change Request

Review: The T&E Committee will review and make a recommendation to the Council on a water and sewer category change request which involves a 5.17-acre, RE-2 zoned property located on Centurion Way near McCrossin Lane and Travilah Road in Potomac. The applicant is seeking a public sewer to serve an existing single family home.

The County’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is responsible for assembling,
reviewing and processing category change amendments. DEP coordinates with staff from the Planning Department, WSSC Water, the Department of Permitting Services (DPS) and other departments and agencies as needed.

Ten-Year Comprehensive Water Supply and Sewerage Systems Plan 2022-2031

Briefing and review: The T&E Committee will receive a briefing from DEP and review the County Executive’s Recommended Montgomery County 2022-2031 Comprehensive Water Supply and Sewerage Systems Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to provide an overview of the planning policies, needs, issues and planned infrastructure related to community and individual water and sewerage systems.

The Committee meeting schedule may change from time to time. The current Council and Committee agendas, Council staff reports and additional information on items scheduled for Council review can be viewed at: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.

The Council recommends that residents, who choose to attend in-person Council or committee meetings, get fully vaccinated to protect themselves and others against COVID-19. If this is not possible, virtual participation is encouraged.

Council and committee meetings are streamed live on the Council’s web page via YouTube and on Facebook Live and can be watched on County Cable Montgomery on Xfinity/RCN 6 HD 996/1056, Fios 30, and on the CCM live stream.