Montgomery Council faces backlash over ZTA housing upzoning proposal and fiscal concerns

The Montgomery County Council convened on March 11, 2025, to discuss significant changes to housing policies, particularly focusing on the proposed Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) aimed at redefining single-family zoning and increasing housing density. The session featured public testimonies that raised concerns about the implications of the new plan.

The first speaker highlighted that the revised plan, while less intrusive than its predecessor, still threatens to replace naturally occurring affordable housing with smaller market-rate units. This shift is expected to exacerbate the housing crisis by driving up costs for remaining detached homes. The speaker criticized the indiscriminate nature of the county-wide plan, which they argued fails to consider existing master plans and infrastructure, particularly in areas like Cherrywood, where upzoning could lead to significant traffic congestion and environmental issues.

Concerns were also raised about the potential for developers to acquire lots in Cherrywood that are prone to flooding, with calls for clearer language in the ZTA to prevent such developments. The speaker emphasized the need for affordable housing solutions that align with community standards, arguing that the current proposal's requirement of only 15% affordable housing for a 25-year pilot is inadequate.

Another speaker, David Foreman, representing a coalition of community organizations, commended some aspects of the housing proposals but urged the council to withdraw the ZTA until a thorough assessment of its economic impact could be conducted. Foreman criticized the lack of community involvement in the legislation's development, asserting that the current process has not allowed for adequate public input or analysis of the potential consequences.

Both speakers expressed skepticism about the timing of the proposal, given the anticipated economic downturn and federal job cuts that could affect housing demand. They urged the council to reconsider the plan, emphasizing the importance of community engagement in shaping housing policies that truly meet the needs of residents.

The meeting concluded with a call for further discussion and analysis before moving forward with the ZTA, reflecting a growing concern among community members about the direction of housing policy in Montgomery County.