Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the County Capital Projects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Montgomery County moves forward with due diligence and option to buy 305 Roanoke Street after receiving private appraisal
Summary
After public comment questioning the price, the board approved an amended option agreement, an appropriation and the final option to purchase a Roanoke Street property; board members said a private appraisal placed the county’s offer within an acceptable market range.
The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors approved an amendment to an option agreement and related appropriations on Feb. 24 to proceed with a purchase process for the property at 305 Roanoke Street.
County staff said they solicited a private‑party appraisal during due diligence and that the county’s proposed purchase price falls within the appraisal range. The board voted on related items in sequence: first an amendment to the option agreement extending the option and adjusting the purchase terms (6–1), then an appropriation related to the building (6–1), and finally approval of the option agreement to purchase (6–1).
Public comments and questions
Multiple members of the public spoke during the meeting’s public comment period challenging the transaction’s price relative to the county assessed value. Speakers cited an assessment listed on the county website and public sales in recent years, and asked why the county would proceed at a level above the most recent assessed value. Citizens also asked why no public hearing had been held on the purchase; county staff and the county attorney explained that a public hearing is required when the county is selling property but not when it is buying property, and no board member requested a hearing in advance.
County response and next steps
County staff reiterated that a blind private appraisal was obtained as part of due diligence and confirmed the county’s offer was within the appraiser’s valuation range. The board did not set a public hearing; supervisors who opposed the measures cited taxpayer concerns. County staff and the county attorney indicated the building will be used to provide administrative offices for the newly formed Career Department of Fire and EMS, and not as offices for the board.
Ending
With three separate board votes passing by 6–1, the county proceeded to complete due diligence and to move forward under the amended option agreement; the county will finalize purchase steps in accordance with the option and the appraisal.
