The County Council on Dec. 1 advanced a major rewrite of transportation review and impact‑fee policy by adopting four amendments to Bill 8,125 and scheduling further consideration for Dec. 15.

Administration staff described the bill as an update to the county’s transportation adequate public facilities (APF) ordinance, adding bicycle, pedestrian and transit assessment (BPTA) elements, clarifying frontage requirements for redevelopment and recalibrating impact‑fee credit rules. After a long public hearing that included youth speakers, transportation advocates, Realtors and industry representatives, the council considered and adopted amendment 9 (restoring long‑standing BPT expectations), amendment 10 (clarifying when existing frontage is preserved during redevelopment), amendment 11 (allowing the planning and zoning officer to grant mitigation credits when multimodal improvements are reasonably calculated to reduce vehicle trips) and amendment 12 (updating the bicycle/pedestrian/transit fee‑in‑lieu to inflation‑adjusted 2018 dollars).

Amendment 11 prompted debate about evidence‑based metrics and transparency because it vests discretionary authority in the planning and zoning officer; several councilmembers asked for clearer rubrics and reporting so decisions are auditable. Amendment 12 (fee increase) also drew concern that costs may ultimately be passed to consumers, though proponents said the change is necessary to preserve purchasing power for infrastructure projects.

Votes on the amendments were taken by roll call (amendment 9: adopted 5–2; amendment 10: adopted 6–1; amendment 11: adopted 4–3; amendment 12: adopted 4–3). The administration said the underlying bill will be heard again on Dec. 15 to complete consideration and any remaining amendments.