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Montgomery County hearing features split public response to expedited review for "signature business headquarters"
Summary
The Montgomery County Council held a public hearing on Zoning Text Amendment 18-05 and Subdivision Regulation Amendment 18-02 to create a "Signature Business Headquarters" use and shorten review from 120 to 60 days. County officials and business groups supported the change as an economic tool; residents and progressive organizers warned it cuts public participation and lacks public-benefit requirements, citing Amazon as the likely target.
The Montgomery County Council heard competing views Wednesday on proposed changes to the county's zoning and subdivision rules designed to create a new "Signature Business Headquarters" use and speed approvals for very large corporate headquarters.
Tim Firestein, Chief Administrative Officer for Montgomery County, testified on behalf of County Executive Isaiah Leggett that the zoning text amendment (ZTA 18-05) and companion subdivision regulation amendment (SRA 18-02) would create a limited use in the CR zone for a corporate headquarters of "25,000 or more employees located within a single metro station policy area" and shorten the development-review timetable from 120 days to 60 days. "The review process associated with the Signature Business Headquarters will not in any way alter the level of public involvement in the evaluation of a project," Firestein said, urging the council to adopt the amendments.
Supporters from the business community echoed that argument. Casey Anderson of the Planning Board said the proposal preserves master-plan envelopes…
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