Montgomery County's plan for Bethesda calls for height bonuses in return for affordable housing. Residents neighboring the proposed incentive zones have successfully resisted that idea.
"Montgomery County wants to encourage developers to build more affordable housing in downtown Bethesda. But due to pressure from neighbors, the County Council voted to allow less affordable housing and shorter buildings instead," reports Peter Tomao.
The vote is the latest twist in the county's ongoing housing policy process, following the approval of a new plan for Downtown Bethesda earlier this year, as reported by Michael Neibauer at the time.
Now, however, the rubber is hitting the road, and the County Council spent the last week debating which areas in the master plan would be allowed new affordable housing incentives—namely, additional height in return for affordable housing allotments.
The proposed height bonuses inspired resistance from local residents. "Groups like the Coalition of Bethesda Area Residents (CBAR) wanted firm height caps on properties at the edge of downtown," according to Tomao. "After a lengthy discussion, the Montgomery County Council voted on a compromise plan that would add a handful of properties at the edge of downtown Bethesda, while reducing heights and affordable housing allotments elsewhere."
Tomao concludes the article by arguing that the decision will exacerbate an existing rental housing affordability problem in Bethesda and the region.
FULL STORY: Montgomery County rejects incentives to build more affordable housing in Bethesda
The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall
The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.
Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities
The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.
Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly
The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.
New York Congestion Pricing Approved by MTA Board
The program took another step forward as the board approved a proposed pricing scheme, but lawsuits still stand in the way of full implementation.
Video: Making Transit Better
How trackless trams and other innovations can make U.S. transit more efficient.
LA-to-San Francisco Night Train Closer to Reality
A train operator has entered into formal negotiations with Union Pacific to move the project forward with a projected launch date of 2025.
City of Yakima
City of Auburn
Baylands Development Inc.
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Birmingham, Alabama
City of Laramie, Wyoming
Colorado Department of Local Affairs
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.