[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,75,87,98],{"_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",6159152,"mediaKeyId","5456796-fa216e8855e0eafb765cd6fc97ef272d","parentId",5456796,"title","Residents, landscapers urge Montgomery County to require more native plants; ZTA 25‑10 hearing draws mixed input","audioSeconds",3298,"startMs",397000,"endMs",3695000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5456796-fa216e8855e0eafb765cd6fc97ef272d&start=397&end=3695","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5456796-fa216e8855e0eafb765cd6fc97ef272d/thumbnail_397000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6159152/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Residents-landscapers-urge-Montgomery-County-to-require-more-native-plants-ZTA-2510-hearing-draws-mixed-input","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6159152-d70594e615550e187dbaea5c865f0215/orig.mp4?Expires=1776168302&Signature=ODk7lYdr1nSJypdQu4Z3S~yxYetdGVgjlVR9PXsiy708zQDi~H0X2rgluyrxYyUVbk9E0ADmNg324hKOgIWgHySorIlcURTlpGydbh9BEv-qsuRKU3o2xPgSJmEcicgfRlWxdRo~JTlOGa9k5926URMbU0T7-CBkrvoC07EmLrQMWynOpzznUtMdrolgr35~7o4qSskh9Y-FjO1sXZKK8TcS0HzHfe5OnGfwEDsgMJwCw1MH55YRne1dZIy44q551mZY~Hme61pcaRkyUljbt3QGLeVNubkFlAV50XZvQ4L5GhyvRjgTRR3D5ufMmdNPqOVhU621~SDlHhw0mWYpxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montgomery County, MD","date","2025-07-24T02:44:59.583Z","article","A public hearing on Zoning Text Amendment 25‑10, the county’s proposed native‑plant landscaping requirement, drew extensive testimony on July 22, 2025. The amendment would require that 50 percent of required landscaping consist of native plant species; a Planning, Housing and Parks committee work session will be scheduled later to consider details and possible refinements.

Why it matters: Supporters told the County Council that native plants provide critical habitat for insects and birds, improve stormwater retention and reduce maintenance and chemical use. Several speakers cited entomology research and outreach programs and urged the council to adopt a higher native‑share threshold and to tie the county’s native definition and species list to the Maryland Native Plant Program and the Maryland Plant Atlas.

What speakers said: Conservation groups and native‑plant professionals — including Chris Colby of Backyard Bounty, Zach Klein (ecological landscaper), Kit Gage (Friends of Sligo Creek), and representatives from Nature Forward and the Maryland Native Plant Society — urged the council to adopt the ZTA with amendments. Common requests included: using the Maryland native species list as the authoritative source; allowing cultivars or nativars in specific cases (but with limits, e.g., avoiding cultivars that alter leaf color); defining native composition by biomass, not merely species count; and including trees and shrubs (not just grasses) in the native calculation.

Landscape professionals testified both for and against the 50% requirement. Bernie Mimm, a licensed landscape architect and certified arborist, and representatives of local sod producers said some nonnative species and cultivars are necessary in urban or high‑stress conditions, cited pest pressures (emerald ash borer, chestnut blight, deer browsing) and raised sourcing, maintenance and cost concerns. Montgomery County Farm Bureau and local turf‑producers urged caution, warning of potential local economic impacts for sod farms.

Implementation and definitions: Multiple speakers urged using the Maryland Native Plant Program (the Maryland Plant Atlas and the program established in state law) as the county’s authoritative list to avoid ambiguity and ease sourcing. Several speakers emphasized the need for public education, nursery partnerships and phased implementation; Nature Forward requested clarifying language to count native biomass and to use the Maryland Invasive Species Council list for identifying prohibited invasives.

Next steps and deadlines: The public hearing was closed on July 22. The council will schedule a PHP committee work session to consider revisions and will accept written materials for the record through July 31, 2025, for council consideration. No legislative vote occurred at the hearing; the ZTA remains under committee review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","July 22, 2025 - Council Session (pm)","oneSentenceSummary","At a July 22 public hearing, many residents and landscape professionals urged Montgomery County to adopt ZTA 25‑10 requiring 50 percent native plants in required landscaping, while some industry speakers warned of practical and economic challenges.","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},6159147,"Public hearing on invasive plants bill draws calls for bamboo ban and stronger enforcement",2383,3694000,6077000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5456796-fa216e8855e0eafb765cd6fc97ef272d&start=3694&end=6077","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5456796-fa216e8855e0eafb765cd6fc97ef272d/thumbnail_3694000.jpg","/articles/6159147/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Public-hearing-on-invasive-plants-bill-draws-calls-for-bamboo-ban-and-stronger-enforcement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6159147-142d02390c0566d10761864cffc24207/orig.mp4?Expires=1776168302&Signature=eIOJYOu0Z53vgl76shlE1~P6W8BRrap-FnUbSpwbBh~LSjB-P6UK~HakxWL-TQ9cfyR7TSDoB9yJ2G9dGADKRJUYOb7bgqgfcQnNwWpFgdSjiTJ6WSLXfaZAJxfNSAnHdlo9vABdZRtivuGvX6TLCaMMt6oHWqj~GggGCG5TfeF7-7dfaO~-OSNEmGPVfc~MWfOno33Lo4p7sE7nUC0Vbo5qOuti2WfA1BGwPXjFGI0fvU7lVfu~9~k4mIDPC7PPV3Wh9LFzIOtWqh-e29ooipbLsZb5LMYlhahbqJk3b3gDywytCz7kflCS6mH0oEle-0offhML2PkrrM0LX4nSDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bill 26‑25, a county bill to regulate invasive vegetation and prohibit the sale of invasive bamboo, was the subject of a public hearing on July 22, 2025. Testimony came from county officials, neighborhood residents, conservation groups, property‑owner representatives and business interests; a Transportation and Environment committee work session is scheduled for Oct. 6, 2025.

What the bill would do: The draft bill would (1) broaden the county code’s treatment of weeds to distinguish non‑native invasive plants, (2) exempt native species from the weed‑removal requirement, (3) prohibit sale of invasive bamboo in the county, and (4) provide penalties for violations. The bill would also create enforcement mechanisms to address invasive species on private and public lands and allow the county to adopt lists of prohibited species.

County position and support: Ken Hartman Espada, assistant chief administrative officer, testified on behalf of the County Executive in favor of the bill and said county departments provided operational feedback to address enforcement and clarity. Conservation groups and watershed organizations testified in support and urged stronger language, funding for removals and a public‑education campaign.

Concerns from property owners and businesses: Several private property owners and business representatives urged caution about the bill’s scope and cost. Representatives of Montgomery County Farm Bureau and local quarry operators said the bill as drafted could impose significant burdens on property owners—particularly agricultural and quarry properties—if removal buffers are large or if a 15‑foot removal zone along property lines is enforced. Attorneys representing quarry owners asked for agricultural and quarry exemptions, or for the 15‑foot setback requirement to be pared back to a narrower access band. Other speakers urged funding or grant programs to help homeowners and recommended requiring root barriers where bamboo exists.

Notable proposals from the public: Testimony included requests to add invasive species like Japanese knotweed explicitly to the prohibited list; calls for creating county-funded removal grants; formation of a bamboo‑specific eradication subgroup within the county’s Weed Warriors program; and an underground barrier requirement for containment (University of Maryland Extension’s recommended 3‑foot depth barrier with 6‑inch aboveground cap was cited).

Next steps and deadlines: The public hearing closed on July 22. The Transportation and Environment Committee will consider the bill in a work session on Oct. 6, 2025. Written materials for council consideration are due by Sept. 29, 2025. No final vote was taken at the hearing.","Bill 26‑25, a proposed county law to regulate invasive plants and ban the sale of invasive bamboo, drew mixed testimony at a July 22 public hearing; the County Executive’s office testified favorably but quarry, agricultural and some property‑owner representatives urged narrower requirements or exemptions.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":44,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6159142,"Planning board and local funeral director back alkaline hydrolysis option in zoning hearing",397,0,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5456796-fa216e8855e0eafb765cd6fc97ef272d&start=0&end=397","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5456796-fa216e8855e0eafb765cd6fc97ef272d/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6159142/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Planning-board-and-local-funeral-director-back-alkaline-hydrolysis-option-in-zoning-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6159142-45dd802c3b35cbf5120e5f4fc164f78c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776168302&Signature=LOepJ~JLmq5QmyfkMOyNnkkxvISoVxpL9VqdWrpT~XW4SJQObCKGTOfx5EGT3UnIl6iWMaKGEBelJDALqmvwGApn8f8GjsNKa-7nGqFw5dCVWL5sT3fKEBIeSxRx4V4nahTY11XtNTh8Fw~0IU8K~Aq5kT0MwTzap2CldNRFONMa00HCqF96x1j5pMzer0qRIJWJE2GZ~jr9p5LCPN7oBxKn2i~Uz7MXHHinDPi5LpeCPBtTAESxa4uTa1U-fvqexCEwdAmfguhGR~dG2TkhOldPo8eeGgro~cvHhwxvSgoLfbS7GWZOubXfuX0SrxHHq0L82rIcTk8tL3~jLpXz0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Montgomery County held a public hearing July 22 on Zoning Text Amendment 25‑09 to permit alkaline hydrolysis — often called water cremation — as part of funeral, interment and crematory uses. The Planning Board recommended support for the ZTA and the council closed the hearing and said a Planning, Housing and Parks committee work session will be scheduled.

Why it matters: Supporters called alkaline hydrolysis a potentially lower‑carbon alternative to flame cremation and said it can be installed in existing funeral homes without changing neighborhood impacts. The technique uses water, heat and alkali to reduce remains and, according to a speaker representing a sustainable funeral business, uses about 90 percent less energy and produces no combustion emissions compared with traditional flame cremation.

What presenters said: Ben Burbur (representing the Montgomery County Planning Board) told the council the Planning Board supports ZTA 25‑09 and noted a climate assessment in the ZTA packet found mostly positive environmental impacts, subject to how widely the option is used. Lily Berkel (co‑founder, Willow Green Funerals; licensed mortician and funeral director) described experience helping to enact the Maryland Green Death Care Options Act at the state level and asked the council for favorable action; she emphasized the option’s environmental benefits and told the council installing the equipment would not change neighborhood impacts for funeral homes.

Process: The council’s staff invited written materials for committee consideration by the close of business on July 31, 2025. A Planning, Housing and Parks committee work session on the ZTA will be scheduled; no final council vote took place at the July 22 hearing.","At a July 22 public hearing the Montgomery County Planning Board recommended support for ZTA 25‑09 to allow alkaline hydrolysis (water cremation) at funeral homes; a sustainable funeral director described energy and emissions benefits and urged favorable council action. The public hearing closed and committee review will follow.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6159157,"County Council approves targeted workforce-housing zoning change for corridors; effective Nov. 1",4877,5820000,10697000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5456796-fa216e8855e0eafb765cd6fc97ef272d&start=5820&end=10697","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5456796-fa216e8855e0eafb765cd6fc97ef272d/thumbnail_5820000.jpg","/articles/6159157/Montgomery-County/Maryland/County-Council-approves-targeted-workforce-housing-zoning-change-for-corridors-effective-Nov-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6159157-06730042e61f83f2bf5806fdf33de9e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1776168302&Signature=aprTzRntluRlMEp7-cwuE5Vfip-nE8tgzXWXTD-5ID22aad~JjweVtxzJwvtW5oo-1Wd3KDC1nzBzlV3G9tCg2TBn4gO~1iPBTuAF6P3fmys73QJNac3NldyZF1zuMCubW6nl75Bj~TPgh~6t2r3phfEmFZMcYzpqKwVyRDjzHlw~KCyxNgwrEjoQF~TxQ1piWJRabhTS-e8Wlmbyu6h72JWwJzLCrW3v0N4h1VMde3WXOmZOPJAwEyTfH5GlOfyk8YZ9VRJeFA9bW2VpkY-tx~6qvYq2SEk7rCLNAdNRUV4JAozW709HhaFMzLTcvKwHKhLuEAQXpOckRXhKJrmIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Montgomery County Council voted to approve Zoning Text Amendment 25‑02 on July 22, 2025, allowing certain property owners along designated corridors to pursue optional-method workforce housing developments—including duplexes, triplexes and townhouses—subject to planning-board review and conditions. The council approved the measure as amended, and set the ordinance to take effect Nov. 1, 2025, to align with a companion subdivision regulation amendment (SRA 2052).

Why it matters: Council leaders and planning staff said the narrow, corridor‑focused change is intended to increase the county’s limited supply of middle‑income housing and retain middle‑class residents who the county is losing. Supporters said the optional‑method review preserves public input and department-level scrutiny for traffic, stormwater and tree canopy protections.

The council package requires a minimum share of workforce units for eligible developments (the ZTA sets the workforce threshold at 15 percent with a 120 percent AMI definition under existing county workforce housing rules), keeps a 40‑foot height limit for eligible projects, and preserves existing parking and stormwater standards. The council added two amendments during the July 22 session: 1) a delayed effective date (moved by Councilmember Friedson) so the SRA addressing lot consolidation and the ZTA take effect together, and 2) a biennial impact report requirement (moved by Councilmember Sales) directing the Planning Department to report on uptake and measurable impacts beginning Dec. 1, 2027.

Key details: The ZTA applies only to parcels fronting specified corridors and excludes newly created flag lots and through lots from eligibility; the council also introduced an SRA (Subdivision Regulation Amendment 2052) to limit consolidations used to create larger development tracts to no more than three individually eligible lots. For parking, the council left base parking requirements intact but created a process for planning‑board approval of limited parking reductions for projects of three or more units, subject to conditions (no more than a one‑space reduction per dwelling unit, only where no lot consolidation occurred and only within a half‑mile of qualifying transit as defined in ZTA 23‑10). The Planning Department will publish a parcel list and a public map of eligible properties; the map is intended to show parcels that meet corridor and roadway criteria, not parcels where redevelopment is imminent.

Planning staff and committee process: The Planning, Housing and Parks committee held two work sessions and recommended the changes with a 2–1 committee vote. Council zoning counsel and planning staff walked the full council through the edits adopted in committee before the final vote. Committee changes clarified townhouse/triplex definitions, adjusted minimum lot sizes in select zones, and aligned parking rules for triplexes with townhouse parking standards.

What the vote did: The council approved the ZTA as amended. The motion to approve was moved by Council member Roluchi and seconded by Council member Fanny Gonzalez. Roll call on final passage recorded the following votes (as read on the record): Councilmember Lukey — yes; Councilmember Mink — no; Councilmember Sales — yes; Councilmember Freidson — yes; Councilmember Glass — yes; Councilmember Katz — no; Councilmember Albert Knowles — yes; Councilmember Fanny Gonzalez — yes; Councilmember Balcom — yes; Councilmember Juwanda — no; Councilmember Storch — yes. The ordinance will become effective Nov. 1, 2025, as amended.

Opposition and concerns: Several councilmembers who voted against the measure cited process and scope concerns—calling for either a master‑plan approach or stronger protections for existing neighborhoods, and raising questions about parking, stormwater impacts and the measure’s ability to produce units affordable to teachers, first responders and other public‑sector employees. Supporters said the measure is a narrowly tailored, corridor‑based tool and one of several strategies needed to increase housing supply and affordability.

Next steps: Planning staff will coordinate with DPS and DHCA to compile the required biennial impact reports beginning Dec. 1, 2027, and the SRA to limit lot consolidations will proceed through its separate legislative process.","Montgomery County Council on July 22 approved Zoning Text Amendment 25‑02 to allow limited duplexes, triplexes and townhouse-style workforce housing on specified corridors, with planning-board review, a delayed effective date of Nov. 1 and a required biennial impact report.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents, landscapers urge Montgomery County to require more native plants; ZTA 25‑10 hearing draws mixed input

Public hearing on invasive plants bill draws calls for bamboo ban and stronger enforcement

Planning board and local funeral director back alkaline hydrolysis option in zoning hearing

County Council approves targeted workforce-housing zoning change for corridors; effective Nov. 1