Monday, May 21, 2012
Community members can learn more at public meetings Monday afternoon and evening.
The Montgomery County Planning Department for the Maryland-National Park and Planning Commission has proposed a zoning text amendment that would make it easier for county residents to operate accessory apartments without always going through an extensive special exception approval process. What is an accessory apartment? The county defines it as "a completely independent living facility with separate cooking, eating, sanitation and sleeping facilities that is either in or added to an existing single-family dwelling or in a separate accessory structure on the same lot as an existing dwelling." Community members can learn more about this proposed ZTA at two public meetings today, from 3-4:30 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Both meetings will be held in …
Meet the candidates for town council and mayor tonight at 7 p.m.
Residents will have the opportunity to hear from the candidates in the upcoming council and mayoral election in Kensington tonight at 7 p.m. at a candidates' forum. This year two are running as incumbents— Mayor Peter C. Fosselman and Councilman Sean McMullen. But three newcomers are vying for their seats— Glenn Cowan and Tracey Furman for council, while Stowe Teti will run against the current mayor. The forum will be held at Town Hall. Editor's Note: This article has been updated to include the names of the challengers as well as corrected to include the name of McMullen as an incumbent. We regret our error.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
The operating budget for fiscal year 2013 is set to be formally adopted on May 24.
The Montgomery County Council tentatively agreed Thursday on a $4.6-billion county operating budget for fiscal 2013. The budget, along with a construction spending plan through fiscal year 2018, is set for formal approval May 24. “Our priorities have been, and will continue to be, our world-class school system, public safety, safety net service and growing our economy. This budget reflects that,” Council President Roger Berliner (D-Dist 1) said in a statement. The plan is based on a $4.57-billion budget proposed in March by County Executive Isiah Leggett (D), which included a $200-million spending boost and increased funding for police, firefighters, libraries and youth programs. Council members reached the budget agreement unanimously. …
Friday, May 18, 2012
Ruling stems from divorce case filed by a couple married in California in 2008.
UPDATED (5:12 p.m.)—Same-sex marriages legally performed out of state must be recognized by Maryland Courts, according to a decision issued Friday by Maryland’s highest court. “Maryland courts will withhold recognition of a valid foreign marriage only if that marriage is ‘repugnant’ to State public policy,” wrote Court of Appeals Judge Glenn Harrell Jr. in the 7-0 decision. Legal experts and Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler said the decision has both immediate and long-term effects—even as the state moves toward a possible referendum on the recently passed law allowing same-sex marriage in the state. Gansler, who in 2010 issued what he called “a forecast” opinion predicting the court would ultimately recognize out-of-state same-…
Council members are considering funding two different youth training and employment programs.
Two different youth work programs are before the Montgomery County Council for possible funding in next year's budget. Several members voiced support at a council meeting May 14 for reinstating the Conservation Corps, a county program that educates and trains high school dropouts. The program has been inactive for 18 months due to budget cuts, said Uma Ahluwalia, director of Health and Human Services. “I have followed Conservation Corps for many, many years,” said Council member Phil Andrews (D-Dist 3) “There’s nothing else like it in the country.” At a government cost of $20,000 per participant, corps members receive GED training and gain work experience by performing labor. Andrews said the program serves the “most vulnerable youth” in …
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Governor calls budget package "good for all Marylanders." Republicans say burden to local governments may force county governments to increase taxes.
The Maryland House of Delegates gave final approval Wednesday to a package of three bills that increases taxes on some state residents, shifts part of teacher pensions to local governments and undoes the so-called "doomsday budget." The votes Wednesday afternoon capped the three-day special session called by Gov. Martin O'Malley in order to override more than $500 million in cuts made in a budget passed in early April. The Senate approved the same three bills Tuesday. As part of the package, legislators approved by a vote of 86-51 what amounts to a 50-50 split of teacher pension costs with local governments. The split will be phased in over the next four years beginning July 1 with the new budget year. That bill also includes a doubling of…
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Explore Kensington and the Kensington Historical Society have teamed up to provide a virtual tour of the town.
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Tuesday, May 15
The Kensington Historical Society Walking Tour, with the help of Explore Kensington, has been delivered to your computer screen. The less than two-and-a-half-minute tour starts at the Town Hall, a former National Guard Armory, and proceeds along a shaded streetscape while providing the history and a view of the architecture of homes, shops and parks. Find more Explore Kensington videos on its YouTube channel.
The measure was overturned by referendum in 2010 and brought back up by County Executive Isiah Leggett this session.
Despite voters striking down the Montgomery County ambulance fee in a referendum on the ballot in 2010, Montgomery County Council passed the fee again Tuesday with a 6-3 vote. Several councilmembers said there was a misinformation campaign surrounding the 2010 referendum vote. Councilmembers Councilman Phil Andrews (D, Dist-3), Roger Berliner (D-Dist. 1) and George Leventhal (D-At Large) were opposed. While Andrews implored councilmembers to respect the will of the voters, some of the county lawmakers were disturbed at how voters were educated about the ambulance fee. Many residents who voted against the fee thought county residents would have to pay the $300 to $800 fee per ambulance ride, Councilman Mark Elrich (D-At Large) said. “That’s…
Users of the Capital Crescent Trail disagree on what should go through the Bethesda tunnel: the Purple Line or the trail.
For more on the Purple Line, check out our series. Speak out: Do you think the Purple Line or the trail should run through the Bethesda tunnel?
38.98251
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Elm Street Park
4600 Elm St, Chevy Chase, MD
Near the Bethesda tunnel
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State funding hurting from gas tax rejection. Future federal funding uncertain until 2015.
The Purple Line, the proposed 16-mile light rail transit system extending from New Carrollton to Bethesda, could be missing one vital component for its progression: funding. With the Maryland budget in crisis and a congressional stalemate over highway funding, the Purple Line’s construction could be pushed back, although several officials interviewed about the project would not predict how long the delay might be. The federal government approved preliminary engineering for the project in October, qualifying it for funding through New Starts, a federal program for new transit projects such as the Purple Line, bringing it a significant step closer to construction. From there, cost estimates and construction schedules could be fine-tuned …
Commentous
1:05 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
To me, the conversation and the rule seem a bit academic. These houses have flourished in Wheaton over the past decade, and there are no County resources or efforts to enforce code. Consequently, whether you legitimize it or not, it's going to continue to happen and will happen more frequently in lower-cost areas of the county simply because rent is cheaper: $1,600 rent monthly for a detached … more ›