A planning change would make it easier to develop housing near transit in Montgomery County, Maryland. In 2018, the county adopted a development moratorium intended to prevent overcrowding in schools.
"On July 30, the Montgomery Planning Board voted on a new growth policy known as the Subdivision Staging Policy. If approved by the County Council, the county would — with one exception — no longer ban new housing in areas with overcrowded schools," reports Jane Lyons.
Montgomery County adopted a building moratorium in 2018 (and implemented the moratorium in 2019) in parts of the county, where schools are reportedly overcrowded, like Silver Spring, Wheaton, and part of Bethesda.
According to the analysis of both Lyons and the Planning Board, the moratorium was ineffective for controlling school crowding. [O]ver 70% of school enrollment growth can be attributed to 'neighborhood turnover,' or single-family homes without school-aged children being sold to young families," explains Lyons, citing data from Montgomery Planning.
"However, there are still parts of the county (see: Clarksburg) where new development is the driving force behind enrollment growth. These areas would be classified as 'Greenfield Impact Areas,'" according to Lyons. The new growth policy "would apply an automatic housing moratorium to greenfield areas and raise the moratorium threshold from 120% to 125% projected school utilization." Some exceptions, explained by Lyons, are also included in the Greenfield Impact Areas.
Another key feature of the new growth policy is an allowance for Utilization Premium Payments to be paid by developers in parts of the county where development would potential add students to already crowded schools. Utilization Premium Payments would be "an extra charge on top of the regular tax that developers must pay for school impacts," reports Lyons.
The plan also allows for school impact taxes to be lowered in parts of the county where growth is desired.
FULL STORY: Montgomery County takes a major step toward ending a housing moratorium
For Lack of Schools: Building Moratorium Set to Take Effect
The Montgomery County Council made a few last minute changes to a residential building moratorium that will take effect next week, halting construction in areas around the county's schools.
Montgomery County Growth Plan Approved
The county council approved the much-debated long-range growth plan, preparing the region for a shift toward more mid-density housing and transit-oriented development.
Montgomery County Divided Over Long-Range Plan
In the wake of mass resignations at the county’s planning board, the county council will vote to update their growth plan to reflect the region’s changing economy and demographics.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Paris Voters Approve More Car-Free Streets
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says the city will develop a plan to close 500 streets to car traffic and add new bike and pedestrian infrastructure after a referendum on the proposal passed with 66 percent of the vote.
Making Mobility More Inclusive
A new study highlights the challenges people with disabilities continue to face in navigating urban spaces.
Texas Bills Could Push More People Into Homelessness
A proposal to speed up the eviction process and a bill that would accelerate enforcement of an existing camping ban could make the state’s homelessness crisis worse, advocates say.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service