County executive's office says fiscal‑impact review not ready as council begins review of Great Seneca plan

Ken Hartman Espada, testifying on behalf of County Executive Mark Elrich, told the Montgomery County Council at a public hearing that the executive branch has not yet completed the fiscal‑impact analysis required under county code section 33 a dash 7 and therefore will not have that material ready for the committee’s immediate review. “We are waiting on the FIS from OMB, and we’re waiting on several department comments,” he said, adding the executive will provide input on family housing and whether the plan’s recommended floor‑area ratio and height limits will support affordability.

Artie Harris, chair of the Montgomery County Planning Board, asked the council to approve the planning board draft, noting the board recommended the plan on April 25, 2024 and transmitted its draft to the council on May 10, 2024. Harris said the plan seeks to strengthen the area’s economic competitiveness over the next two decades by promoting mixed‑use development near transit, integrating life‑sciences uses with housing and services, and advancing “complete communities” where daily needs are reachable within a 15‑minute walk, bike or roll.

The county executive’s representative urged the council to allow the executive branch the time provided by law to complete its review. Espada said the executive believes the public and council benefit from the analysis the executive branch produces and that the current committee schedule falls within the legally defined review period. The planning, housing and parks committee is scheduled to begin formal review of the plan on Monday, June 17; public comment remains open until the council adopts the plan.

Next steps: the committee review begins June 17; the executive branch will submit its fiscal‑impact analysis and additional comments when available.