Council Expands Options for Independent Living Facilities in Montgomery County

From the Offices of Councilmembers Andrew Friedson and Sidney Katz

 

Council Expands Options for Independent Living Facilities in Montgomery County

New zoning measure led by Councilmembers Friedson and Katz allows multiple building types for independent living

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ROCKVILLE, Md., Sept. 21, 2021— Today the Council unanimously enacted ZTA 21-02, Independent Living Facility for Seniors or Persons with Disabilities – Residential Zone Standards, which will allow multiple building types for independent living facilities for seniors or persons with disabilities. With this change, a future development could have a community center that contains all of the support services while residents stay in detached or townhouse-style buildings. Councilmembers Andrew Friedson and Sidney Katz were the lead sponsors of the ZTA. Council President Hucker and Councilmembers Navarro and Riemer were cosponsors.

The County’s existing Zoning Ordinance limited independent living facilities for seniors or persons with disabilities to multi-unit building types. ZTA 21-02 allows more diverse housing options and less intensive building types, such as townhomes, duplexes and detached homes. The zoning measure will also reduce the amount of green space required and amend other setback requirements to accommodate the construction of these communities while remaining a conditional use.

“This zoning text amendment expands the types of housing available for seniors and persons with disabilities. Our residents want choices about where they live and this measure provides the flexibility to meet their housing preferences,” said Councilmember Friedson. “As our County grows and changes, it is important that our zoning code stays current in order to meet the modern-day needs of our community.”

“I am pleased to co-sponsor this ZTA which will expand the types of housing that can be made available to our senior population as well as for persons with disabilities,” said Councilmember Katz. “The ZTA will allow for more housing options as well as for related community services which can be incorporated into future developments. These changes are yet another way in which we can assist our senior residents and provide more choices for aging in place.”

ZTA 21-02 provides that the maximum building height of an independent living facility for seniors or persons with disabilities is the height of the applied-for building type in the underlying zone under the standard method of development, except for the apartment building type, which may be up to 60 feet. If a particular building type is not allowed under the standard method of development, the maximum height is the height of a conditional use allowed in the underlying zone. The zoning measure also establishes a front setback from the outer perimeter of any development. The minimum front setback to the street must be equal to the front setback for a detached house in the underlying zone under the standard method of development.

In addition, the green area requirement for an independent living facility is limited to 50 percent in all zones. This is balanced by the fact that while there will be more land coverage, building types other than apartments, tend to be shorter and less massive. In many zones, new independent living facilities will be more compatible with the surrounding areas.

View the Council staff report here.

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