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County planning staff supports code changes tied to state forest law; farmers and advocates raise concerns
Summary
Montgomery Planning presented proposed revisions to the county’s forest conservation code (Bill 18‑25) to align local law with Senate Bill 0526 (state law). Planning staff and environmental advocates highlighted priority changes; farming groups and others urged more consultation on definitions and impacts for agriculture and solar projects.
Kelsey Desmond, a forest conservation planner with Montgomery Planning, told the council that Bill 18‑25 updates County Code Chapter 22A to align with statewide changes that took effect July 1, 2024 (Senate Bill 0526) and to codify existing staff practice.
“Bill 18‑25 reflects proposed changes to Chapter 22A and to the corresponding regulations,” Desmond said, summarizing changes including a statutory removal of afforestation requirements for solar photovoltaic facilities, four new categories to…
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