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Local Government
Latest reporting from the Local Government desk.
Local Government
View MoreJawando returns to council 17 days after heart attack
Councilmember Will Jawando returns to in-person duties Tuesday, Sept. 22, 17 days after a heart attack, as the Montgomery County Council holds a public hearing on five bus rapid transit options for the New Hampshire Avenue corridor.
Local Government
View MoreSullivan mailer misquotes columnist in attack on Yang
Republican District 1 candidate Reardon Sullivan's attack mailer against Democrat Julie Yang misquotes Montgomery Perspective columnist Adam Pagnucco, who wrote that his column does not contain the language Sullivan attributed to him.
Local Government
View MoreMontgomery council overrides Elrich veto of Hedrick, 10-0
The Montgomery County Council voted 10-0 to override County Executive Marc Elrich's veto and reaffirm James Hedrick's four-year reappointment to the Planning Board, the second time the council has rejected Elrich's attempt to block Hedrick from the land-use body that shapes Bethesda-area development.
Local Government
View MoreBethesda Planning Board approves 26-story tower on Hampden Lane
The Montgomery County Planning Board unanimously approved a 250-unit residential tower to replace two semi-vacant office buildings on Hampden Lane in downtown Bethesda, the second project to use the county's expedited office-to-residential conversion process in three months.
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Local Government
View MoreChevy Chase Village urges lower heights in Friendship Heights plan
Chevy Chase Village testified before the Planning Board on Sept. 14 calling for lower building heights and green-space buffers near homes in the Friendship Heights Sector Plan, while opposing CCLC's push for changes around the former Saks Fifth Avenue site. Public comments close Thursday, Sept. 17.
Local Government
View MoreBethesda high-rises would stock smoke hoods under new county bill
Montgomery County Councilmember Kate Stewart introduced Bill 43-26 on Sept. 15, requiring apartment buildings five stories or taller to keep smoke escape hoods on-site for fire emergencies. A public hearing is set for Oct. 6.
Local Government
View MoreFriendship Heights plan faces final public hearing Monday
The Montgomery County Planning Board holds its second and final public hearing on the Friendship Heights Sector Plan at 4 p.m. Monday at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, as County Executive Marc Elrich urges the board to reconsider a draft that would add 4,700 housing units to the area.
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Local Government
View MoreJawando wins county executive primary, faces Wells in November
Will Jawando won the Democratic primary for Montgomery County executive, overcoming a $1.4 million PAC campaign and two council rivals, and will face Republican Esther Wells on Nov. 3.
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Local Government
View MoreMontgomery Planning Board names Bartley vice chair
The Montgomery County Planning Board unanimously appointed Shawn Bartley as vice chair at its Sept. 10 meeting, elevating a board member who has reviewed key countywide land-use plans, including the Bethesda Downtown Plan, to a larger leadership role.
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Local Government
View MoreBethesda Planning Board approves 250-unit tower on Hampden Lane
The Montgomery County Planning Board approved demolishing two vacant office buildings on Hampden Lane in downtown Bethesda and replacing them with a 250-unit residential tower, though the developer says the construction timeline depends on market conditions.
Local Government
View MoreFederal unions sue to block USDA plan affecting Bethesda workers
Four federal unions filed suit Sept. 8 to block a USDA reorganization that would relocate roughly 2,600 Washington-area employees, including Bethesda-area workers, arguing the plan violates the Administrative Procedure Act and lacks congressional approval.
Local Government
View MoreMontgomery Parks seeks donations for field lighting, turf upgrades
Montgomery Parks has proposed a new policy allowing private donations for athletic field improvements such as lighting, turf and batting cages, and is accepting public comment through Oct. 9.
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