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Thursday, June 12, 2025

Hard at Work This Summer

The County Council will take up a number of important issues this summer. Housing affordability, public safety, the sustainability and safety of our transportation network, and more are on the agenda. Check out some of the items that I know are of interest and reach out to us at councilmember.luedtke@montgomerycountymd.gov any time to discuss.

Master Plan of Highways and Transitways

This Countywide master plan that lays out new roads, transit lines, "target speeds" that impact traffic safety, and more is being updated. The Council recently received the Planning Board's recommendations.

Of particular interest is the future of the planned M-83 Highway in Montgomery Village. The public hearing is July 8 and look for additional details soon on worksessions and other opportunities to weigh in.

Proposed changes in "target speeds" for roadways in the recommended Master Plan of Highways and Transitways

Workforce Housing

Zoning Text Amendment 25-02 Workforce Housing would bring new housing options like duplexes and triplexes to major corridors in the County, enabling the creation of quality housing units at more affordable price points. This is one of a number of key initiatives the Council is pursuing to fix the lack of housing affordability for educators, police officers, firefighters, nurses, young families, and other "middle income" households. The next Council Planning, Housing, and Parks Committee worksession on ZTA 25-02 is set for the afternoon of June 23.

Illegal and Unsafe House Parties

We continue to make progress on legislation to more effectively deter illegal, for-pay house parties - some that have caused serious safety issues in neighborhoods around the County. The Council's Public Safety and Economic Development Committees are set to take up the bill on Monday morning.

Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers

On Tuesday, I'll join lead sponsor Councilmembe Gabe Albornoz and co-sponsors Councilmembers Marilyn Balcombe, and Sidney Katz to introduce legislation to address an economic reality of the County's upcoming prohibition on gas-powered leaf blowers. Like many of you, we've heard from local landscaping companies about the lack of affordable and available electric leaf blower equipment for these larger-scale operations.

The more expensive costs for electric equipment on the market, including charging equipment, would raise prices for County residents on these services and threaten the viability of these important local employers. Bill 19-25 would create a small exemption to allow larger-scale leaf blower users to continue to use gas-powered equipment in the crucial fall months. This would allow the electric technology (and affordability) of that equipment to catch up before imposing significantly higher costs on these companies and their customers.

Happy Pride Month! 

Councilmember Luedtke celebrates Pride Month!

I’m proud to stand with our LGTBQ+  neighbors in the ongoing fight for equality, dignity, and love. Montgomery County has a rich history of LGBTQ+ advocacy – including adding sexual orientation to our anti-discrimination code in 1984 and recognizing LGBTQ+ heritage sites through our Historic Preservation office. We’ve long been a community that uplifts love and inclusion. 

Celebrate Pride with Montgomery Parks this month, with events including lake tours and comedy nights. Check out the full lineup here. 

Let’s honor our history and celebrate the joy, resilience and strength of our LGTBQ+ neighbors – because everyone deserves to live with pride.

Budget Win: Shady Grove Bus Depot

I’m thrilled to share that as part of this year's budget process, the Council approved a $10.55 million project to finally begin moving MCPS school buses away from Shady Grove.

This relocation will provide many benefits. It'll allow the master-planned park, school site, transit-accessible housing, and neighborhood-serving retail on the east side of Crabbs Branch Way near the Shady Grove Metro to move forward.

It's also key to Montgomery County’s goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2035. A new planned facility for part of the Crabbs Branch Way site is set to support the County's transition to zero-emission vehicles, and will be powered by on-site renewable energy through a smart microgrid. 

Thank you to the Derwood and Shady Grove community leaders who have long been pursuing this solution, and for helping to make the case in this year's budget process!

In The Community...

Top right: Councilmember Luedtke smiling with a soccer team at the Cider Mill Community Picnic. Bottom right: Councilmember Luedtke emceeing the Strawberry Day Celebration in Rockville. Left: Councilmember Luedtke speaking at the Damascus Placemaking Festival.

Cider Mill Community Picnic Fun! 

Team Luedtke was proud to attend the Cider Mill Community Picnic, hosted by the Montgomery County Renters Alliance and Housing Initiative Program. This was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate recent funding for security and facility improvements, connect with the community, and share resources.

Juneteenth Celebrations

Join historian Reynauld Smith of the Sandy Spring Slave Museum for a free presentation on the true history of Juneteenth – including his family's connection to this significant day. Hosted by NEA Big Read in partnership with Sandy Spring Museum and community collaborators. This event is open to all. Find more Montgomery County Juneteenth celebrations here. 

RIFs to Ready

Are you 50+ and impacted by government downsizing or layoffs? Join RIFs to Ready: A DOGE Survivor’s Guide to Interviewing for Your Next Job After 50. This is a free virtual workshop on Thursday, June 12, from 10:00 A.M to 12:00 P.M. Gain tools and strategies to showcase your experience and confidently navigate your next career move

Damascus Placemaking Festival Merit Award 

Congratulations to Montgomery Planning! The Damascus Placemaking Festival they organized with community members has won a Merit Award from the Maryland Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Montgomery Planning and their partners were honored for their outstanding community engagement and vision. This award celebrates the spirit of collaboration that makes Damascus so special.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Join us for the 15th Annual Older Adults Safety Forum in honor of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Tuesday, June 17 from 10–11:30 A.M. at Holiday Park Senior Center, or livestream it at home. Hear from local experts, enjoy original safety skits, and take part in interactive sessions including music and yoga. Register for in-person attendance by June 10 by calling 240-777-4999. Virtual attendees can register here. 

Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week 

It’s Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week (June 7-15), and this year's theme is The Bay in Your Backyard.

Everything we do on land – from picking up pet waste to using organic lawn care – impacts the health of our local streams, and ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay. Small actions make a big difference. Join a stream cleanup, explore RainScapes, or simply choose eco-friendly habits at home. Let’s work together to keep our waters clean–for us, our wildlife, and future generations.

If you would like to get in touch, please email me at councilmember.luedtke@montgomerycountymd.gov or call my office at 240-777-7860.

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