 Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Drone as First Responder Town Hall
On Thursday, June 12th, I will be hosting a town hall with the Montgomery County Police Department to share details about the Drone as First Responder (DFR) program expansion to Germantown. This program provides air support to 911 or police generated calls for service, and helps improve police response times. Please attend the town hall to learn more and to get answers to any questions you may have! I hope to see you there.
What: Drone as First Responder Town Hall
When: Thursday, June 12th at 6:30PM
Where: Upcounty Regional Services Center (12900 Middlebrook Road, Germantown, MD 20874)
 A flyer advertising the Drone as First Responder town hall, which will be held on Thursday, June 12th at 6:30PM at the Upcounty Regional Services Center in Germantown.
Germantown Sector Plan Amendment Community Workshop
The Montgomery County Planning Department is working on the Germantown Sector Plan Amendment, and wants your feedback and input! Germantown needs a new vision for an updated development landscape; this sector plan amendment will do just that. As noted on Montgomery Planning's website, this amendment envisions a more complete and better-connected future for the Germantown community. Once finalized, the amendment will make recommendations for zoning, land use, housing, transportation, the environment, public facilities, economic development, and more. There are two upcoming events you should join if you are interested in learning more and want to share feedback with Montgomery Planning.
What: Germantown Sector Plan Amendment community workshop
When: Monday, June 16th from 6:30-8:30PM
Where: Germantown Library (19840 Century Boulevard, Germantown, MD 20874)
What: Germantown Sector Plan Amendment community workshop
When: Wednesday, June 25th from 6:30-8:30PM
Where: Seneca Valley High School cafeteria (19401 Crystal Rock Drive, Germantown, MD 20874)
If you are unable to attend the community workshops above but would still like to share your thoughts, consider completing Montgomery Planning's survey, which can be found on the sector plan amendment website.
Mark your calendar for the annual Montgomery County Juneteenth celebration, held at the BlackRock Center for the Arts on Saturday, June 21st. The theme of this year's event is "Pushing Back - the Fight for Freedom is Not Over." This event is FREE, and no tickets are needed for entry. Check out the BlackRock Center for the Arts website for a full schedule of the day and make sure to stop by my table at the event!
 A graphic advertising Juneteenth at the BlackRock Center for the Arts. The event will be held on Saturday, June 21st from 12-10PM.
On Friday, June 20th, I'll be joined by officers from the Montgomery County Police Department for a joint Breakfast with Balcombe + Coffee with a Cop.
We will be at Locals Farm Market in Poolesville between 9-11AM, and I hope you will be able to join us. As always, this community meet and greet is an informal opportunity to chat with me in a group setting alongside fellow constituents. I'll buy the coffee, and you bring the questions. Stop by any time, and stay as long as you are able to. If you have any questions or if you plan to attend, please let me know.
 A flyer advertising Breakfast with Balcombe + Coffee with a Cop, which will be held on Friday, June 20th from 9-11AM at Locals Farm Market in Poolesville.
Montgomery County Public Schools is currently undergoing a boundary study process that will impact middle and high schools across the district as a result of the openings of Woodward and Crown high schools, and the expansion of Damascus High School. While none of these schools are in my district, each middle and high school in District 2 will be affected by the boundary changes that come out of the Crown and Damascus high school study.
MCPS has released the initial boundary study options, which you can review on the school system's website. Boundary studies are often contentious, and this one is no exception. Therefore, I wanted to take a moment to explain that the County Council has no input on the decisions made by Montgomery County Public Schools regarding new boundaries. If you have feedback you would like to share regarding the initial boundary study options, I encourage you to reach out to the Board of Education. Please also note that these options will change multiple times throughout this process.
I fully support the expansion of Damascus High School, as a larger building in Damascus will reduce overcrowding at Clarksburg High School. I will continue to fully support the allocation of funds to the expansion of Damascus.
As MCPS continues to work through the boundary study, I encourage you to remain engaged and to routinely monitor the MCPS boundary study website for updates and helpful information.
Over the last year, the Montgomery County Planning Board has been working on a technical amendment to the Master Plan of Highways and Transitways (MPOHT.) The 2025 Planning Board Draft for the Technical Update was approved on April 10, 2025 and was subsequently transmitted to the County Council for review.
Much to my disappointment, the Planning Board recommended the removal of the Midcounty Highway Extended (M-83) project from the MPOHT. Despite a strong outpouring of support for the road extension by the District 2 community, the project was removed. I'd like to take a moment to thank all those who voiced their opinion regarding this topic.
The next step for the MPOHT is a public hearing in front of the Council. We will be holding a public hearing on the technical amendment on Tuesday, July 8th at 1:30PM. Registration for the public hearing is now open through the Council website. Testimony can be provided in-person and virtually. You also have the option of submitting written, video, and audio testimony. If you have any questions about the master plan amendment or about signing up to testify, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly.
Economic Development (ECON) Committee
The Economic Development (ECON) committee does not have any upcoming work sessions scheduled at this time.
Transportation and Environment Committee
The Transportation and Environment (TE) committee will be meeting on Monday, June 23rd. We will be discussing the abandonment of portions of Washington Grove Lane, closure of the intersection of Westbard Avenue and River Road, amendments to the Comprehensive Water Supply and Sewerage Systems Plan, and the Old Columbia Pike/Prosperity Drive Improvement Facility Planning Study.
As always, you can watch our work session live or on-demand on the Council YouTube channel, and can review our staff report on the Council website.
Council Legislation
During our June 10th Council session, we took action on zoning text amendments and legislation. Read more about them below.
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Introduction: Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 25-08, Exemptions - Landscape Contactor
- Lead sponsor: Councilmember Mink
- This ZTA will allow landscape contractors in the Rural Cluster (RC) zone who have expanded their footprint beyond what was otherwise permissible to maintain their grandfathered status if the property owner returns the total square footage of onsite operations to that which existed as of October 30, 2014.
- A public hearing is tentatively scheduled for July 15, 2025.
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Introduction: Local Map Amendment (LMA) H-156, regarding the property located at 7501-7515 Standish Place, 7519 Standish Place, 7529 Standish Place and 7609-7623 Standish Place, in Plat Book 118 as Plat No. 13905
- This LMA would rezone the property at the above address. The Hearing Examiner recommends approval, with a binding element requiring a minimum of 15% Moderately Priced Dwelling Unites (MPDUs).
- A briefing from the Hearing Examiner and action is tentatively scheduled for June 17, 2025.
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Introduction: Corrective Map Amendment (CMA) H-158, 7979 Old Georgetown Road
- This CMA will correct a technical error in the zoning for 7979 Old Georgetown Road. The 2017 Bethesda Downtown Plan recommended the entire property for CR mixed-use zoning, but the SMA inadvertently left a portion of the property with the previous R-60 single-family zoning.
- A public hearing is tentatively scheduled for July 15, 2025.
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Public Hearing: Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 25-05, Development Standards - Option Method Public Benefits
- Lead sponsors: Planning, Housing, and Parks Committee
- This ZTA updates the public benefit system in the Commercial/Residential and Employment zones. This ZTA will create new option public benefits using a tiered system that is more closely aligned to FAR than the prior point system, with categories that have been updated to align with county policy priorities.
- A Planning, Housing, and Parks (PHP) committee work session is tentatively scheduled for June 16, 2025.
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Public Hearing: Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 25-06, Vehicle Service - Filling Station
- Lead sponsors: Councilmembers Mink, Friedson, and Jawando
- This ZTA will amend the setback requirements for a Filling Station and amend the applicability of a nonconforming use to a Filling Station.
- A Planning, Housing, and Parks (PHP) committee work session is tentatively scheduled for June 23, 2025.
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Public Hearing: Bill 13-25, Licensing and Regulations Generally - Picnics, Dances, Soirees, and Other Entertainment - Amendment
- Lead sponsors: Councilmembers Luedtke and Friedson
- Co-sponsors: Councilmembers Albornoz, Balcombe, Stewart, Glass, and Katz
- This legislation would prohibit an unlicensed party for gain or profit to which the general public is admitted with certain exceptions. It would establish the penalty for violation of the prohibition against an unlicensed party for gain or profit at a residential property to which the general public is admitted and related violations in the same occurrence.
Upcoming Public Hearings
To testify at a Council public hearing or to submit written, audio, or video testimony, please visit the Council website or call 240-777-7803. The deadline to sign up to testify for a 1:30PM public hearing is 2PM the day prior. The deadline to sign up to testify for a 7PM public hearing is 5PM the day prior.
June 17, 2025
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1:30PM: Zoning Text Amendment 25-07, Retail Sales and Service - Cannabis Dispensary
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1:30PM: Expedited Bill 14-25, Special Capital Improvements Projects - Clarksburg Library
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1:30PM: Expedited Bill 15-25, Special Capital Improvements Projects - New Organics Processing Facility
July 8, 2025
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1:30PM:Master Plan of Highways and Transitways (MPOHT) - 2025 Technical Update
The following County boards, committees, and commissions are seeking applicants:
- In case you missed it! Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) has launched a new mobile app, which provides convenient, on-the-go access to a broad range of library resources and services for all residents. The app is free can be downloaded on the Apple and Google Play stores.
 A graphic advertising Montgomery County Public Libraries' new mobile app.
- Montgomery Parks has two fantastic events planned in Boyds in celebration of Pride Month! Learn more and sign up below.
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Pride Lake Tour by Kayak | June 20th from 6:30-8:30PM at the Black Hill Discovery Center: Glide into Pride on a scenic kayak tour of Little Seneca Lake. Connect with nature and fellow members of the LGBTQIA+ community as you spot local wildlife, from herons and turtles to the occasional bald eagle. Boats, paddles, and life vests will be provided (or bring your own Type III or IV PFD). Basic paddling experience required. $30 per person ($29, Friends of Black Hill)
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Pride on the Pontoon | June 30th from 7-8:30PM at the Black Hill Discovery Center: Wrap up Pride Month with a sunset pontoon cruise. Relax and connect with the LGBTQIA+ community as we search for beavers, deer, otters, herons, and osprey along the lake. $8 per person ($7, Friends of Black Hill)
- Montgomery Parks and The Puppet Co. will be at the Germantown Town Center Urban Park on Sunday, June 29th from 10-11AM for a charming retelling of Peter and the Wolf! This free event is for children ages 2-8. Sign language interpretation will be provided.
If you would like to get in touch with me regarding anything mentioned in this newsletter or any other concerns you may have, please email me at Councilmember.Balcombe@montgomerycountymd.gov or call my office at 240-777-7960.
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