[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6094258,"mediaKeyId","2844467-5f9df3f1523a701f22a0003d79b9ef72","parentId",2844467,"title","Council endorses staff recommendations and takes unanimous straw vote on Bethesda Downtown minor master plan amendment","audioSeconds",2286,"startMs",2062000,"endMs",4348000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2844467-5f9df3f1523a701f22a0003d79b9ef72&start=2062&end=4348","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2844467-5f9df3f1523a701f22a0003d79b9ef72/thumbnail_2062000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6094258/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Council-endorses-staff-recommendations-and-takes-unanimous-straw-vote-on-Bethesda-Downtown-minor-master-plan-amendment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094258-7ee8884096fab17dee36f5b02ddda0c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770551692&Signature=EMdB20-Szr-tMXpjbBbEmvr2a3VOHlhNO7Mj~6VewH2ub19NrT6Eaw9vjEfBi-l4gBd6XlGhH-7G4KHzng79TQjmK1pzuYgqiWu4WQ0ZGZ8EqKINg-8ufJQS3bG1WFCiYJp~fRkAFxGO4W0bS9KDVomd9abkPeP~fnOpnA1RcOwiSrNKsdKz9jFXKuZJ-TFOsuhc6bmR0Uj65R0fjG8o0iXZ-8KerMkrEWD3QhR0F5agtos2c6YwrGrWaFU6h70PxkJ0OA71PtYjKeq6LDLt4mYdf41yCkpJROh-qAPvQIpGVEOYqtvfdhcjrX-5ouN5yjHeuk~pvvy0efAoEneshw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montgomery County, MD","date","2025-04-02T08:27:56.833Z","article","Council members took up a work session on the Bethesda Downtown Minor Master Plan Amendment and gave a unanimous straw vote to the committee’s recommendations after staff and committee chairs reviewed multiple technical changes and policy updates.

The council heard planning staff describe the core recommendation to remove the development cap established in the 2017 plan. Staff presented three development scenarios projecting additional square footage beyond the existing cap (about +11 million, +16 million and +21 million square feet by 2045) and reviewed transportation, school and carbon analyses. Staff said the scenarios show mixed effects: improved proximity for jobs and households but potential increases in vehicle miles traveled per capita under some scenarios and slight increases in auto and transit travel times.

The Planning, Housing and Parks (PHP) committee recommended changing the planning board’s original monitoring language to require a five-year comprehensive review to understand cumulative impacts of development and progress toward the plan vision. The committee directed staff to develop an outline for that five-year review, drawing lessons from the White Flint 10-year review and consulting the implementation advisory committee.

Other committee-supported recommendations explained to the full council included:
- Increasing the Bethesda park impact payment (PIP) methodology from a prior adjustment method to a cumulative inflation method. Staff reported a change from the previous $12.49 per square foot to $15.57 per square foot under the new approach (a roughly 25% change); planning staff estimated the higher PIP would increase development costs by about 0.2 percentage points.
- Allowing the PIP to be paid in two installments to mitigate developer cash-flow impacts (half at first building permit and half at use-and-occupancy), per the planning board’s recommendation and committee support.
- Clarifying that privately owned public spaces (POPS) may earn a reduction in PIP but at a lower credit level than an outright parkland dedication; specific credit language to be included in the Bethesda Overlay Zone text amendment.
- Adding language to incentivize and prioritize a recreation center across the plan area as a major public benefit, not limited to a single site.
- Directing Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), WMATA and regional transit providers to study enhanced transit connections, including bus layover capacity and support facilities; that language was added after an MDOT request and accepted by the committee and council.
- Recommending retention and expansion of MPDU incentives (targeting family-sized units and deeper affordability) and urging redevelopment of naturally occurring affordable housing to strive for no net loss.

The committee also recommended postponing a specific expansion of the height incentive area for later consideration via a zoning text amendment so that the community can be engaged before any map or overlay changes occur. Planning staff noted a fiscal impact analysis in the packet that estimated a net public benefit of approximately $17 million associated with public and private investment in Downtown Bethesda under the plan.

The council adopted the committee recommendation as a straw vote without objection; staff said final resolution language and related zoning text amendments (including the Bethesda Overlay Zone updates) will be posted for public review before the council takes final action next week.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 1, 2025 - Council Session (am)","oneSentenceSummary","At a work session the Montgomery County Council gave a unanimous straw vote to the Planning, Housing and Parks committee’s recommendations on the Bethesda Downtown Minor Master Plan Amendment, endorsing key changes including removal of the development cap and a five-year comprehensive review of cumulative impacts.","taxTitle","Montgomery County, Maryland","taxId",3351,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6094264,"Montgomery County Council approves sectional map amendment H-153 implementing Great Seneca plan",108,1932000,2040000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2844467-5f9df3f1523a701f22a0003d79b9ef72&start=1932&end=2040","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2844467-5f9df3f1523a701f22a0003d79b9ef72/thumbnail_1932000.jpg","/articles/6094264/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Montgomery-County-Council-approves-sectional-map-amendment-H-153-implementing-Great-Seneca-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094264-47f523103fa41c08fae6699679edae07/orig.mp4?Expires=1770551692&Signature=n0rEDsVzULNriP4QnxrmFgfZi9oLOFDLemgv1Rk-T2RS2if64aYdwNjXi4mHMkMHD9JBAkWJOIVWdeAh1OC7-Awpdq7XouKGA8VGQgYvctZRwVGk0gcG0x0w-bboJZV9IgZf7V1lty8UkjrbPwb3C05K9HOqagtA5etywGgxuwfrURGZNH0ze5FRk6JWDyiUqYUZcj-RZsx9vZnNGOSIvPUzuQ39L~76qqyvIWvS7FCQ1tTj7WNsO0cu76jeJo~Hryt4uufLImT9uHkMerriaGKcdNRZANeisN6Z9Yefy6H5QNP1O0Oj983eC6AwCRPMRj5YoYm~MO-0dVimRO8tOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montgomery County Council approved Sectional Map Amendment H-153 in a roll-call vote, implementing zoning changes adopted in the 2024 Great Seneca Plan.

Council member Andrew Friedson moved the motion to approve H-153; Council Vice President Will Jawando seconded. The clerk conducted a roll-call vote; all members present and recorded on the roll-call segment voted yes. The clerk recorded \"yes\" votes from Council members Lukey; Mink; Sayles; Friedson; Glass; Katz; Albornoz; Fanny Gonzales; Balcom; Jawando; and Stewart. The amendment implements zoning modifications previously approved in the county master plan and was described in the staff presentation as an administrative implementation step following the planning board’s adoption.

The council also approved a consent calendar later in the session by voice vote, with Council member Balcom moving and Council member Sales seconding; the clerk recorded unanimous assent.","Council voted unanimously to approve Sectional Map Amendment H-153, an administrative rezoning to implement the 2024 Great Seneca Plan; the consent calendar was also approved without objection.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6094268,"Montgomery County Council proclaims April Minority Health Month; health leaders outline steps to reduce disparities",1148,519000,1667000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2844467-5f9df3f1523a701f22a0003d79b9ef72&start=519&end=1667","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2844467-5f9df3f1523a701f22a0003d79b9ef72/thumbnail_519000.jpg","/articles/6094268/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Montgomery-County-Council-proclaims-April-Minority-Health-Month-health-leaders-outline-steps-to-reduce-disparities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094268-d62fddbafbee371585cd66f7b52c3698/orig.mp4?Expires=1770551692&Signature=DLRHgKZ103XsLaebb51aR9DRhAfzTe-qhAdp~GeQxCRIpxEYamOkvBv4QIPvlFRw2Up62ALHpIeNZ0OVIKv1N~uFEaYwo7FswaeSpPbSx7uvfe3ToEFjLatYit39fP97pWsh9e-EIQ-WiohcPOkyyioA0kWbYQ5Wvyu6HKqeaW94hAzCiAQncfNXpJLUv2fjZPxUR21pUDBYgwPxTws-cH0R6o7msZfntIrKxcDaTuMaghnyUQ3ZHs0BprMjKYojAhr3Vf3pu74vK9Z2A3hxd2YGDyI9myerE0d3eU~Eij-GPmLJmpCuQgtDRfDEAmjhpR4be3rfYLg8L~QmBY-z~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council member Lorien Sales led a proclamation recognizing National Minority Health Month and urged county officials, health providers and community partners to redouble efforts to reduce racial and economic disparities in health outcomes.

The proclamation, read at the Montgomery County Council hearing, notes that although Montgomery County ranks among the nation’s healthiest counties, health benefits are not evenly experienced and cites specific disparities: about one in six residents rely on Medicaid; Black infants have higher rates of low birth weight; Hispanic residents have higher preterm birth rates; and nearly one-third of Hispanic or Latino residents reported being sometimes or never able to get care when needed, compared with 7% of non-Hispanic residents, according to the county’s 2024 community health assessment.

Dr. Ngozi Wexler, chief medical officer at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center and an obstetrician, told the council that severe maternal morbidity (SMM) disproportionately affects women of color and described hospital-level measures to reduce those outcomes. “We focus on reducing healthcare disparities in severe maternal morbidity,” Wexler said, describing an operational infrastructure for health equity that integrates data collection, clinical protocols and efforts to address unmet social needs.

Wexler said recent clinical steps include implementing a code OB hemorrhage activation protocol, expanding postpartum hemorrhage simulation drills, performing risk assessments and pre-delivery timeouts for every patient, increasing access to pre-delivery iron infusions to reduce anemia risk, and giving tranexamic acid in some cases to reduce bleeding. She also described cross-hospital sharing of best practices within MedStar Health and community partnerships to extend care beyond hospital walls, including home visits by caseworkers and coordination with programs aimed at hypertension and maternal support.

Council Vice President Will Jawando recalled the council’s earlier resolution declaring racism a public health crisis and emphasized the need to address systemic causes of poorer health outcomes. Council member Gabe Albornoz (joining virtually), chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, praised the county’s public health infrastructure and cited programs established during COVID-19—such as the Office of Food Systems Resilience and minority health initiatives—as foundations to address disparities.

The proclamation also reaffirms county priorities named in Healthy People 2030 and calls for protecting access to essential services including reproductive care, gender-affirming care and preventative screenings. Several leaders from the county health department and community health programs attended and introduced themselves, including James Bridges, director of the Department of Health and Human Services, and Dr. Keisha Davis, county health officer.

The council did not take a roll-call vote on the proclamation during the recorded segment; the item was presented and recognized by council members.","The Montgomery County Council read a proclamation recognizing National Minority Health Month, highlighted racial and economic disparities in health outcomes, and heard from MedStar Montgomery’s chief medical officer on maternal health initiatives and hospital-led equity strategies.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6094253,"Planning board and Parks present semiannual report; departments flag FY26 budget shortfalls and outline projects",1222,4498000,5720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2844467-5f9df3f1523a701f22a0003d79b9ef72&start=4498&end=5720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2844467-5f9df3f1523a701f22a0003d79b9ef72/thumbnail_4498000.jpg","/articles/6094253/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Planning-board-and-Parks-present-semiannual-report-departments-flag-FY26-budget-shortfalls-and-outline-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094253-b8fea61ffff58bb6fcd6f91598685dfe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770551692&Signature=aCZVPm3D7CR-cb2CGS3NVNFLdZnEYORXw6dFxSjnC3qgXN0RXbPwAkwOgqnecJHf-RJeMZvyY7YnLHX40mi5JznYl822oyZuz5xGq7qjaW6NiD3rf3FV4NRUL6vAk3tkaa0kCnCDG8UJvaoYUzHCc3BiiAzJl9SpApL441ffM5YykM7Zea2A2eEVMTFFuv01O4uvU9qoAVNs8RktJFZxA4qXEOMCaV39rjpVHafKAybfoUJT06WoqE34WCGlEiBWYpwUFEY~JyRW6xo9FkV~4wKTRxdj87dGcRm~pWMT2hUmjrHEBUyOjei~7t6YKCKRBO5y4VB7yegVmK2SWwK43A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montgomery County Planning Board and Montgomery Parks presented their semiannual update to the County Council, outlining planning work, a development-pipeline analysis, master-plan schedules, parks projects and staffing funded by recent council initiatives. Chair Maxwell (chair Harris in transcript) and department directors emphasized program achievements and warned that the county executive’s recommended FY26 operating budget includes cuts that would constrain capacity.

Planning director Jason Sartore (transcript variants) told the council the department’s FY26 request was reduced by approximately $8 million from what it had sought; the executive’s recommended increase for the M-NCPPC administrative fund was smaller than requested and would not fully cover anticipated compensation and known commitments. Planning staff said they will work with the commission and council during budget review to identify tradeoffs but warned potential consequences could include reduced services or program deferrals.

Planning staff outlined a development pipeline analysis that seeks to understand why a significant share of approved housing in the pipeline never gets built. As of January, staff said there were 278 unexpired approvals accounting for more than 29,000 units—about 88% of which are multifamily rental projects. Over the next five months planning staff will combine data analysis with applicant surveys and interviews to identify regulatory, market and financing barriers and propose potential high-level solutions.

The planning report highlighted recent projects across the county—Park Montgomery (Long Branch), Sligo Apartments (Silver Spring), Strathmore Square (Grosvenor/Strathmore) and The Logic (White Oak)—and noted ongoing master-plan work including the Bethesda amendment (discussed earlier), University Boulevard corridor plan, Clarksburg Gateway sector plan, Germantown sector plan amendment and Eastern Silver Spring Communities Plan. Staff also provided an inventory of federal leasing and workforce presence in the county and said roughly 3.5 million square feet of federal leases will expire by the end of 2027, which will be factored into longer-term economic planning.

Montgomery Parks Director Mitty Figueredo presented accomplishments funded by recent council actions: more than four miles of new trails constructed, two-and-a-half miles of trail renovation, more than 30 renovated or opened facilities, over 4,000 trees planted on parkland, extensive volunteer contributions, expansion of inclusive/adaptive recreation programs, and improvements to field and court resurfacing efforts. Parks staff described program hires—trail manager, grants manager, community gardens staff, customer service and field maintenance hires—and said recent staffing and one-time funds allowed expansion of community-facing programs, internships and sustainability initiatives including rooftop solar sites.

Both planning and parks leaders stressed the service demands and said the council’s budget discussions will determine whether recent program expansions and maintenance levels can be preserved. Directors also answered council members’ questions about Little Falls Parkway construction timing (permits complete; construction expected to begin late spring) and traffic monitoring for Beach Drive (traffic counts ongoing; report to planning board expected this summer).","M-NCPPC staff and Montgomery Parks delivered a semiannual briefing highlighting development pipeline analysis, master-plan work, parks accomplishments (trails, fields, community gardens), and warned that recommended FY26 budgets leave gaps in compensation and program support.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council endorses staff recommendations and takes unanimous straw vote on Bethesda Downtown minor master plan amendment

Montgomery County Council approves sectional map amendment H-153 implementing Great Seneca plan

Montgomery County Council proclaims April Minority Health Month; health leaders outline steps to reduce disparities

Planning board and Parks present semiannual report; departments flag FY26 budget shortfalls and outline projects