Council approves Takoma Park map amendment, several budget items advance after public hearings

At its Jan. 14 session, the Montgomery County Council completed several formal actions and scheduled follow-ups after afternoon public hearings.

Council, sitting as the district council, approved Sectional Map Amendment H-152 to implement zoning recommendations from the Takoma Park Minor Master Plan. Planning staff said the action was administrative, noting that the public hearing on the map amendment produced no speakers. Councilmember Friedson moved approval; a roll-call tally of councilmembers was read aloud and recorded as unanimous yes.

The council also unanimously approved the consent calendar earlier in the session; Councilmember Glass drew attention to an executive regulation (5-24) concerning speed humps on eligible county roadways. After afternoon public hearings, the council took action on supplemental appropriations: the supplemental appropriation 25-16 for FY25 988 crisis hotline services (state grant of $2,778,948) was moved and approved unanimously.

Other items heard but not immediately voted on included the Bring Your Own Bag bill (Bill 24-24) and expedited Bill 26-24 regarding U-visa certification policy; both were the subject of extended public testimony. The council heard a corrective map amendment request for 12701 Piedmont Road with in-person and virtual testimony raising concerns about future development and requested timing/limits if a zoning correction proceeds.

Planning department staff also requested supplemental funding for the Germantown Employment Area Sector Plan, explaining the requested $110,000 would support outreach, roadway and transit safety study, and housing and connectivity analysis; the council moved and recorded support for the supplemental appropriation at this session.

The council adjourned after completing these items and scheduling further consideration for measures requiring committee review.