As reported in a Montgomery County press release, Council President Andrew Friedson and Montgomery Planning Director Jason K. Sartori are inviting community members to attend five in-person and one virtual listening sessions on the Attainable Housing Strategies initiative (AHS). The initiative would allow property owners to have the option to build a wider range of housing types in areas of the County that for decades have only allowed one single-family detached home per lot. See further comments at the end of this article regarding the purposes of the AHS initiative.*
There is no legislation to implement Attainable Housing Strategies currently pending before the Council. The purpose of the six listening sessions is to collect feedback on the Planning Board recommendations which will be shared with all Councilmembers as part of a deliberative review process.
Use this link to sign up for a listening session. Please note that there is a deadline for signing up for each session.
The Council is also inviting residents to provide additional feedback on the Attainable Housing Strategies initiative.
The six listening sessions will be held in each of the County’s five regional service areas, followed by a virtual meeting. The five in-person events will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. The virtual session will be held on Oct. 2 from 12-1:30 p.m.
The listening sessions are scheduled on:
- Wednesday, Sept. 11, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center (1319 Apple Ave., Silver Spring, MD). Sign up by Sept. 9, 12:00 p.m.
- Thursday, Sept. 12, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Wheaton Community Recreation Center (11701 Georgia Ave., Wheaton, MD). Sign up by Sept. 10, 12:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, Sept. 17, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the White Oak Community Recreation Center (1700 April Lane, Silver Spring, MD). Sign up by Sept. 13, 12:00 p.m.
- Monday, Sept. 23, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Germantown Community Center (18905 Kingsview Road, Germantown, MD). Sign up by Sept. 19, 12:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, Sept. 25, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center (4805 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda, MD – Wisconsin Room). Sign up by Sept.23, 12:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, Oct. 2, virtual on Zoom 12-1:30 p.m. Sign up by Sept. 27, 12:00 p.m.
*According to CM Friedson, “We face a severe housing shortage in Montgomery County which requires thoughtful, forward-looking action. Finding a home that meets the evolving needs of our residents and families has become increasingly out of reach. I look forward to hearing a variety of perspectives and ideas from our residents, so we can work together to build on the recent progress we’ve made and refine solutions that support the type of communities and the quality of life we’ve come to expect in this great County.”
Planning Board Chair Artie Harris has stated that, “The time has come for Montgomery County to break free from outdated zoning that has constrained the housing supply, led to skyrocketing real estate prices, and has forced more of the County’s middle-income population to search elsewhere for housing. The County has little open land left to build on and almost half of the County’s housing stock is composed of detached housing. People of all ages and income levels need more choices to bridge the gap between high-rise apartment buildings and single-family detached houses. We can no longer afford to devote so much land to so few people.”
Montgomery Planning Director Sartori notes that “Montgomery County supports strong, inclusive communities and its zoning laws need to align with its commitment to fostering the creation of communities where not just the most fortunate can own a home and build wealth. These recommendations not only outline different housing types to add to our housing stock but create options and opportunities for households of various incomes to attain housing that is suitable to their needs.”
Parkwood Residents Association 