I just introduced Bill 34-17, Housing - Moderately Priced Dwelling Units (MPDU) - Amendments, which is the first major revision to the MPDU law in 13 years. It would add flexibility to the MPDU program. For example, it would allow certain developments to make a payment into the Housing Initiative Fund instead of creating on-site MPDUs if condominium fees are unaffordable. For the first time it also would require developments with less than 20 homes to make a payment.  Additionally, proceeds from these payments will add to the County’s ability to create affordable homes, large enough for families and located where we want them.  Another change would authorize the Director of the Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) to calculate the MPDU obligation by square feet if the result is more homes, or homes better sized to meet the needs of our low and moderate-income residents. 

This bill contains many other provisions designed to update the MPDU program, make it more responsive to the needs of today’s residents, and, most importantly, produce more homes for families. Our County’s future depends on a robust economy. This bill will set the stage for many new housing opportunities and support a growing workforce. To learn more, here's the complete press release.

The public hearing for Bill 34-17 is scheduled for Tuesday, December 5 at 7:30 p.m. You can sign up online to testify beginning Thursday, November 2, or send your comments to county.council@montgomerycountymd.gov. 

I joined my colleagues, Council President Roger Berliner and Councilmember Tom Hucker at the Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment (T&E) Committee meeting in September. We asked officials from the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) and the Purple Line Transit Partners (PLTP) a lot of questions regarding the construction schedule and other aspects of the Purple Line Project. You can read the detailed responses to our many questions. For up-to-date Purple Line information, MTA and PLTP officials emphasized visiting their website at purplelinemd.com. Register online  to receive construction alerts by text, email or phone.

Pete K. Rahn, Maryland's Secretary of Transportation will update the T&E Committee on Thursday, November 16 at 2:00 p.m. regarding Governor Hogan's proposed Traffic Relief Plan for I-270 and I-495.  We hope to learn more details regarding the Governor's plan and how it will mitigate traffic within the County. You can watch live or on demand on County Cable Montgomery.

The full Council sent a letter to Benjamin H. Grumbles, Secretary of the Maryland Department of the Environment, asking him to reduce toxic coal waste from the Dickerson Power Plant and other coal-fired plants in the State. It’s imperative the State abide by current standards adopted by the federal EPA in 2015, to protect our water from the pollutants that coal plant waste produces. Here's the full press release.