Thrive Montgomery 2050

The Importance of Process

Councilmember Friedson at the October 11, 2021 PHED Committee Meeting on Thrive Montgomery 2050 General Plan

I have heard from residents from all over the county who are uncertain about Thrive Montgomery 2050 and what it means for their neighborhoods. To those who are frustrated and confused, I hear you. I hope that the following information helps to clarify the purpose of Thrive and my perspective on the process.

The Thrive Montgomery 2050 Draft Plan is a framework to guide planning for land use, housing, the economy, equity, transportation, parks and open space, the environment, historic resources, urban design, and arts and culture over the next three decades.

Every jurisdiction must adopt some form of a general plan as a legal basis for its land use and zoning powers. Thrive Montgomery is centered around three overarching objectives: (1) economic competitiveness, (2) racial and social equity, (3) and environmental sustainability. Thrive Montgomery 2050 is proposed to be the latest version of our general plan, an update to the County’s “Wedges and Corridors” plan originally implemented in 1964 to guide our growth.

Of the six chapters in Thrive, the one that has drawn the most attention is the chapter on housing. I believe that housing is a human right and in the fundamental need for, and value of, mixed-income communities. I also believe that our general plan must be a high-level strategic vision, not an implementation document. That is why from the beginning of this discussion I have urged the County Council to review Thrive before considering any specific legislative implementation tools. It is difficult to implement a vision before we’ve even agreed on what it is.

Despite some mixed messages delivered to the community, the Thrive document that the Planning, Housing, and Economic Development (PHED) Committee is reviewing now does not legislate anything. It does not implement anything. Implementation of specific policies will require a bill or a zoning text amendment or a functional plan. The work being done on attainable housing strategies at the Montgomery Planning Board is a separate initiative and not currently before the Council.

I expressed these thoughts and more at a recent PHED Committee work session and was pleased that my colleagues agreed to amend language to reflect that Thrive is a broad vision for how the County should grow rather than a set of specific, pre-determined actions. We also emphasized that the List of Actions proposed by the Planning Board which accompanied the Thrive draft is not being reviewed and/or endorsed at this time.

The PHED Committee expects to conclude its review of Thrive by the end of October. The full Council will then deliberate and take a final vote, potentially before the winter recess that begins in mid-December.

For more information about Thrive Montgomery 2050, please visit the Planning Department website.

Our First-in-the-Nation

Green Building Tax Credit Program

Montgomery County Council passes Expedited Bill 31-21, Property Tax Credits - Energy Conservation Devices and Energy Efficient Buildings - Amendments on October 5, 2021

Last week, the Council unanimously approved legislation to amend the Green Building Tax Credit program I sponsored last year with Councilmember Hans Riemer. This program is a first-of-its-kind tax incentive program in the country to focus on actual building efficiency based on recommendations from a stakeholder working group of environmental advocates and building experts, led by the talented staff in the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection.

The amendments to this program were largely technical, except for a very thoughtful and important amendment by Councilmember Nancy Navarro, which incentivizes investment in the County's Equity Emphasis Areas. This enhanced program will now appropriately recognize the direct link between environmental justice and racial equity and social justice.

I am grateful to the advocates, the experts, and my colleagues on the Montgomery County Council and in the Executive Branch for their work on this legislation.

Cornerstone Montgomery

Rededicates Bethesda Hub

Councilmember Friedson at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the rededication of Cornerstone Montgomery's Southport Hub in Bethesda

On September 24th I had the privilege of helping to rededicate Cornerstone Montgomery’s newly renovated Southport Hub. The evolution of this space emulates the growth of the organization and demonstrates why Cornerstone Montgomery is the largest provider of behavioral health services in Montgomery County.

Fifty years ago, Cornerstone Montgomery opened its doors to offer safe, supportive housing. Recognizing the vast needs in the community, it expanded throughout the years to provide community-based mental health and vocational services, supportive living, case management, day programs, and more. Today, Cornerstone empowers people living with mental health and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders to live, work and integrate successfully within the community.

The Southport Hub once served 600 clients annually. It will now be able to offer a full menu of services to an additional 100 clients in a more healing, supportive, collaborative, and welcoming space.

Behavioral health continues to be a priority for me. The demand for behavioral health care has increased substantially, while there continues to be a shortage of qualified providers, especially in racially and ethnically diverse and multilingual providers. I am committed to supporting existing providers and creating opportunities for expansion of best practices.

Council Expands Options for Independent Living Facilities in Montgomery County

I am thrilled to report that the Montgomery County Council unanimously approved a measure that I sponsored in collaboration with Councilmember Sidney Katz to provide more housing options for seniors and residents with disabilities. This builds on prior efforts we have undertaken to help residents age in our community with dignity and vitality.

Thanks to all my colleagues for their support and Council President Tom Hucker, Councilmember Nancy Navarro, and Councilmember Hans Riemer for co-sponsoring this measure to ensure our zoning adapts to the changing needs and desires of our community.

Click here to learn more.

Progress on Pedestrian and

Bicyclist Safety in Kensington

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) recently announced that the Town of Kensington has been chosen for State Bicycling and Pedestrian Priority (BPPA) designation.

I was pleased to work with the Town and our State District 18 delegation to secure funding for the Connecticut Avenue Corridor study, a critical input in the development of the BPPA plan, through the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) Transportation Land Use Connections (TLC) program. The study will provide recommendations for innovative improvements in pedestrian and bicycling safety and greater connectivity.

BPPA recognition from MDOT SHA will lead to:

• Planning bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure improvements and additions, together with residents’ input and existing land-use/master plans;
• Identifying roadway improvements that align with State and local bicycle and pedestrian planning; and
• Estimating construction costs for proposed bicycle and pedestrian improvements.

This designation is one cog in a network of pedestrian and bicyclist safety improvements countywide, but it is an especially critical step forward for District 1 and our constituents in Kensington. For more information, please contact Councilmember Nate Engle, Co-Chair of the Town of Kensington’s Pedestrian and Bicycling Access and Safety Working Group at nateengletok@gmail.com.

Friday with Friedson

Friday, October 22 at 11:00 AM, please join us to share your questions and thoughts. Click this image to register for our Zoom webinar.

Walk to School Day

A little rain did not deter Bethesda Elementary School families from participating in Walk To School Day on October 6th. It was great time speaking with parents about our commitment to Vision Zero and investing in safety improvements around our schools to make walking and biking an option for more students.

MCFRS Fire Ops 101

I appreciated the opportunity to participate in a recent Fire Ops 101 training. The day’s activities provided a small window into the incredible skills of our first responders and the sacrifices they make daily. I am grateful for their service to our community.