Tuesday, May 22, 2012
County residents spoke against a proposal by county planners that seeks to make approval for accessory apartments easier.
Montgomery County residents turned out in force at two public meetings on Monday to express concerns about a proposed rule change that would eliminate the special exception process for some accessory apartments, also known as “mother-in-law” apartments. The zoning text amendment proposed by Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission staff would allow by right “attached” accessory apartments of up to 1,200 square feet that are located in certain residential and agricultural zones, and “detached” accessory apartments in specific residential zones. (See the zoning text amendment draft online for more details.) Many residents objected, arguing that the special exception proceedings keep them informed and involved in the process. “…
New REDI director introduced; council zeroing in on city manager.
The Rockville City Council on Monday adopted a roughly $107 million operating budget and $70 million capital budget for fiscal 2013. The vote was unanimous but was preceded by a lengthy debate about spending and the prospect of tax increases in fiscal 2014. The council’s final budget discussion included approval of a 2 percent salary increase for city staff, with a 1 percent salary increase for 13 senior staff members. Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio, backed by Councilwoman Bridget Donnell Newton, made the proposal for the first time on Monday. The council also approved another Marcuccio proposal that shifts $17,990 from the Rockville Emergency Assistance Program fund to several community caregiver agencies as follows: “This does not cause the …
Monday, May 21, 2012
Proclamations on public works and boating safety weeks also on the agenda.
The Rockville City Council is scheduled to vote on a proposed fiscal 2013 budget and to discuss its strategic goals as part of its agenda for Monday. The council meets at 7 p.m. at City Hall. The meeting will be broadcast live on Rockville 11. The budget The council is scheduled to adopt the city’s fiscal 2013 budget for fiscal 2013. The proposed operating budget is $107.1 million, a decrease from the fiscal 2012 budget by $88,848 (0.1 percent). The proposed capital budget is $69.6 million, a decrease of $2.6 million (3.6 percent) from fiscal 2012. It includes funding for 47 projects and a $3.9 million transfer from the general fund. The plan for fiscal 2013, which begins July 1, maintains the real property tax rate of 29.2 cents per $100 …
Community members can learn more at public meetings Monday afternoon and evening.
The Montgomery County Planning Department for the Maryland-National Park and Planning Commission has proposed a zoning text amendment that would make it easier for county residents to operate accessory apartments without always going through an extensive special exception approval process. What is an accessory apartment? The county defines it as "a completely independent living facility with separate cooking, eating, sanitation and sleeping facilities that is either in or added to an existing single-family dwelling or in a separate accessory structure on the same lot as an existing dwelling." Community members can learn more about this proposed ZTA at two public meetings today, from 3-4:30 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Both meetings will be held in …
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Formal adoption of the fiscal 2013 operating budget is set for May 24.
The Montgomery County Council tentatively agreed Thursday on a $4.6 billion county operating budget for fiscal 2013. The budget, along with a construction spending plan through fiscal year 2018, is set for formal approval May 24. “Our priorities have been, and will continue to be, our world-class school system, public safety, safety net service and growing our economy. This budget reflects that,” Council President Roger Berliner (D-Dist 1) of Potomac said in a statement. The plan is based on a $4.57 billion budget proposed in March by County Executive Isiah Leggett (D), which included a $200 million spending boost and increased funding for police, firefighters, libraries and youth programs. Council members reached the budget agreement …
Friday, May 18, 2012
The Montgomery County Planning Board appointed Rose Krasnow to serve as interim director of the planning department, while the search continues for a permanent replacement for Rollin Stanley.
The Montgomery County Planning Board appointed Rose Krasnow to serve as the interim director of the county's planning department, according to a statement issued by the planning department Friday. Krasnow will begin directing the 130-member agency on Monday, following the departure of Director Rollin Stanley, who resigned last month. The board has begun a nationwide search for a permanent director, and intends to hire one within six to nine months, said Montgomery County Planning Board Chair Françoise Carrier. Krasnow has worked for the planning department since 2004. For the last year and a half, she directed the department’s Area 1 team, which crafts master plans and reviews development applications for the inner-ring communities around …
Ruling stems from divorce case filed by a couple married in California in 2008.
UPDATED (5:12 p.m.)—Same-sex marriages legally performed out of state must be recognized by Maryland Courts, according to a decision issued Friday by Maryland’s highest court. “Maryland courts will withhold recognition of a valid foreign marriage only if that marriage is ‘repugnant’ to State public policy,” wrote Court of Appeals Judge Glenn Harrell Jr. in the 7-0 decision. Legal experts and Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler said the decision has both immediate and long-term effects—even as the state moves toward a possible referendum on the recently passed law allowing same-sex marriage in the state. Gansler, who in 2010 issued what he called “a forecast” opinion predicting the court would ultimately recognize out-of-state same-…
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Governor calls budget package "good for all Marylanders." Republicans say burden to local governments may force county governments to increase taxes.
The Maryland House of Delegates gave final approval Wednesday to a package of three bills that increases taxes on some state residents, shifts part of teacher pensions to local governments and undoes the so-called "doomsday budget." The votes Wednesday afternoon capped the three-day special session called by Gov. Martin O'Malley in order to override more than $500 million in cuts made in a budget passed in early April. The Senate approved the same three bills Tuesday. As part of the package, legislators approved by a vote of 86-51 what amounts to a 50-50 split of teacher pension costs with local governments. The split will be phased in over the next four years beginning July 1 with the new budget year. That bill also includes a doubling of…
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Corridor Cities Transitway is touted as a backbone of biotech and commercial development between Rockville and Germantown.
Gov. Martin O’Malley has endorsed the use of bus rapid transit for Montgomery County’s Corridor Cities Transitway, the proposed north-south line from the Shady Grove Metro station to the COMSAT facility near Clarksburg. The governor’s office made the announcement Friday, more than two years later than O'Malley (D) had expected to declare a mode for the much-anticipated transit line. Capital costs for the 15-mile line were estimated at around $828 million. The system would comprise 68 BRT vehicles characterized by low floors and multiple doors that open at sidewalk level, allowing people to walk on and off as they would on a Metro car. The BRT vehicles would make 16 stops and will travel mostly in rights of way separate from traffic. …
The measure was overturned by referendum in 2010 and brought back up by County Executive Isiah Leggett this session.
Despite voters striking down the Montgomery County ambulance fee in a referendum on the ballot in 2010, Montgomery County Council passed the fee again Tuesday with a 6-3 vote. Several councilmembers said there was a misinformation campaign surrounding the 2010 referendum vote. Councilmembers Councilman Phil Andrews (D, Dist-3), Roger Berliner (D-Dist. 1) and George Leventhal (D-At Large) were opposed. While Andrews implored councilmembers to respect the will of the voters, some of the county lawmakers were disturbed at how voters were educated about the ambulance fee. Many residents who voted against the fee thought county residents would have to pay the $300 to $800 fee per ambulance ride, Councilman Mark Elrich (D-At Large) said. “That’s…
Rocky
2:44 pm on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Piotr---I would suggest we keep this non-partisan. Neither party can claim sterling financial management -- more ›