Council Approves Chevy Chase Lake Sector Plan

Yesterday we approved the Chevy Chase Lake Sector Plan with amendments addressing specific aspects of the plan after several months of work by the Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee and the full Council.

The plan will significantly alter the small community located along Connecticut Avenue near the Beltway interchange. The Purple Line is planned to go near Chevy Chase Lake, and the plan includes certain staging of the redevelopment to be coordinated with the progress in building the future east-west transportation line that will connect the Bethesda and New Carrollton Metrorail stations.

The Chevy Chase Lake plan has involved many opinions from residents, current business owners and developers concerning the changes to the 1990 Bethesda-Chevy Chase Master Plan. Issues involved included how quickly development would be allowed to proceed, the height of buildings, increasing the amount of new housing to be allowed and the future of the current Chevy Chase Lake shopping centers on the east and west sides of Connecticut Avenue.

We reduced the maximum height of new buildings on the Chevy Chase Lake East shopping center from the 150 feet recommended by the Planning Board to 120 feet. We also educed heights on properties closest to existing homes including on Newdale Mews, Arman’s gas station and the eastern portion of the Housing Opportunities Commission property.

The new zoning will allow the development of a mixed-use community on the Chevy Chase Lake East shopping center including retail, commercial and residential development. The approved plan also requires the redeveloped shopping center to include public open space and amenities that make it an appealing destination for the entire community.

The sector plan recommends mixed-use zoning for most of the other properties in the Chevy Chase Lake Center.

The Chevy Chase Lake shopping center on the east side of Connecticut Avenue, which has existing development approvals, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and a Housing Opportunities Commission mixed-income project will be allowed to redevelop immediately after the properties are rezoned as part of an upcoming Sectional Map Amendment because they meet the criteria for Stage 1 development.

The remaining property owners will have to wait until construction begins on the Purple Line between Silver Spring and Bethesda before they can begin applying for development approvals. This will ensure that a significant portion of new development will be completed at approximately the same time that construction is completed on the Purple Line.

Zoning Code Rewrite Session 7

Tomorrow the PHED Committee will hold its seventh work session on the Zoning Code Rewrite. Our agenda: parking, signs and general development requirements.

You may also be interested in the memo about affordable housing in the revised zoning code on our Web page dedicated to the rewrite. Also check out the FAQ section on that page. If you are looking for even more background information, see the overview or the interactive map where you can find out how proposed changes would affect your property.

The future schedule for the Committee work sessions is as follows:
September 13--administration and procedures
September 20--wrap-up, including any outstanding implementation issues

To have your comments on the rewrite included in the public record, e-mail county.council@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Green Investor Incentive Program

Our Department of Economic Development has released the application and qualification criteria for an incentive program designed to drive green innovation locally by supporting early-stage investors. The Green Investor Incentive Program is a unique approach to encourage investments in green companies by reimbursing qualified investors with payments of up to $25,000.  Investors and green companies will be qualified through an application process that officially opened July 24.

To qualify as a green business, a company must provide a green product or technology, be headquartered in the County, have been in business for less than ten years and employ fewer than 50 people. The company must also practice green business operations and be a certified B-Corporation, Montgomery County Certified Green Business, or have earned a similar designation.

Individuals and investment firms that have invested in qualified green companies from July 24, 2013 until December 31, 2013 are potentially eligible to access this year’s $500,000 appropriation, which will be allocated by a pre-set formula. The program will be first come first served, and investors will have until January 15, 2014 to submit their applications. Qualified investors cannot be pension or retirement funds, and cannot have an ownership stake in the company prior to investing.

Learn more or download an application.

Farm Tour and Harvest Sale July 27-28

Celebrate our agricultural heritage, visit local farms and indulge in seasonally fresh food at Montgomery County's Annual Farm Tour and Harvest Sale the weekend of July 27-28. Every year, this event coincides with the Buy Local Challenge which encourages people to eat locally grown food. The Farm Tour gives you the opportunity to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, plants and other local products. Several farms have hayrides, pony rides, music, demonstrations and other fun and educational activities planned for people of all ages.

Zoning Code Rewrite Session 6

Tomorrow the PHED Committee will hold its sixth work session on the Zoning Code Rewrite. Our agenda: floating zones.

You may also be interested in the memo about affordable housing in the revised zoning code on our Web page dedicated to the rewrite. Also check out the FAQ section on that page. If you are looking for even more background information, see the overview or the interactive map where you can find out how proposed changes would affect your property.

The future schedule for the Committee work sessions is as follows:

July 30--parking/signs (general development requirements) *
September 13--administration and procedures
September 20--wrap-up, including any outstanding implementation issues

To have your comments on the rewrite included in the public record, e-mail county.council@montgomerycountymd.gov.

* this meeting was originally scheduled for July 26

MBDC Launches Web site to Help New and Current Businesses

The Montgomery Business Development Corporation has launched a new Web site that includes the only tool in operation that enables users to see available sites or leasable space throughout the County. It also has extensive demographic information.

The Web site includes business-friendly features, data resources and information to support existing and future business and development in the vibrant economy. The site, which is free and available to all users, can be found at www.montgomerybusiness.org.

The Montgomery Business Development Corporation was established by the Montgomery County Council in 2010 as an apolitical organization to provide a business-friendly perspective regarding economic development issues. MBDC’s goals include providing strategic planning, retaining and attracting business and legislative and regulatory advocacy. I was pleased to be the lead sponsor on this legislation.

Due in part to its unique business perspective, the Montgomery Business Development Corporation has been a tremendous asset in ensuring Montgomery County’s continued role as one of the nation’s top economic engines, Now, with the new Web site, MBDC is rolling out the welcome mat for those looking to relocate to Montgomery County—as well as providing valuable information for those who are already here. This is a terrific resource, and I encourage everyone to take a look.

Features of the MBDC Web site include:

·       The Site Selection Tool. This will enable site selection consultants, brokers, developers and prospective businesses to have access to a detailed database of land and buildings in the county. The Site Selection Tool is linked to Loopnet to offer the most current available real estate database.

·       Marketing Assistance. Comprehensive data and marketing materials are now available to promote doing business in Montgomery County. Web site visitors can get details on the location of the County (including maps), information on business advantages, major employers, operating costs, the local government, infrastructure, talent, culture and lifestyles.

·       Economic Data. This section provides current and relevant regional economic and demographic data, which supports the expansion of existing businesses while also presenting marketing opportunities for new business investments.

·       News and Policy Updates. Updated feeds on business news and legislation that impacts economic development will always be current.

Council Approves Increasing Tax Credits for Historic Properties

Today we approved a bill that will allow owners of properties designated as “historic” to take tax credits of up to 25 percent for qualified improvements that help preserve the historic nature of the property. This is a great incentive for property owners to make investments in preservation that benefit us all.

Maryland and Montgomery County have previously allowed tax credits of 10 percent for qualified improvements to historic homes. As of July 1, the state law changed and now allows a 25 percent tax credit. Passage of the bill keeps the County at highest possible tax credit allowed by law.

The Council designates specific properties or districts as historic by including them in the Master Plan for Historic Preservation. The designation provides public benefit by retaining the history of the property. However, the owner of a historic property has additional burdens compared to other property owners.

Once designated, the owners of historic property must seek a historic area work permit before making changes to the exterior of their property. The review is intended to ensure that the historic integrity of the site is maintained. The cost for improvements to historic properties is generally higher than it is for non-historic properties as the material and labor necessary to adhere to historic preservation standards make improvements more expensive. The tax credit will help offset this burden. In FY11, there were 141 applications for historic tax credits. Kudos to Councilmember Craig Rice for sponsoring this legislation.

Zoning Code Rewrite Session 5

Tomorrow the PHED Committee will hold its fifth work session on the Zoning Code Rewrite. Our agenda: overlay zones.

We've just added a memo about affordable housing in the revised zoning code to our Web page dedicated to the rewrite. Also check out the FAQ section on that page. If you are looking for even more background information, see the overview or the interactive map where you can find out  how proposed changes would affect your property.

The future schedule for the Committee work sessions is as follows:

July 19--floating zones
July 26--parking/signs (general development requirements)
September 13--administration and procedures
September 20--wrap-up, including any outstanding implementation issues

To have your comments on the rewrite included in the public record, e-mail county.council@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Affordable Housing in the Revised Zoning Code

The proposed zoning code rewrite includes several elements that will preserve and expand the County's affordable housing goals. For example, existing C/R zones will have an added incentive to provide more than the required 12.5 percent of units as MPDUs. To learn more, see the Planning Department's memo on affordable housing in the revised zoning code. Get your comments included in the public record by e-mailing county.council@montgomerycountymd.gov.

30 Local Companies Among Largest 100

Check out this great news from our Department of Economic Development:

Good Morning,

I want to share some impressive news with you!

Montgomery County is home to 30 of the 100 largest publicly traded companies as recently ranked by the Washington Business Journal.

The County's highest ranking company on the list is Bethesda-based Lockheed Martin Corporation, coming in at #3 with 2012 revenue of more than $47.1 billion. Also making the top 25 are:

• Marriott International, Inc., Bethesda - 2012 revenue of $11.81 billion
• Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc., Bethesda - 2012 revenue of $5.29 billion
• Discovery Communications, Inc., Silver Spring - 2012 revenue of $4.49 billion
• American Capital Agency Corp., Bethesda - 2012 revenue of $2.11 billion

The other companies making the list are:

• USEC, Inc., Bethesda
• United Therapeutics Corp., Silver Spring
• LaSalle Hotel Properties, Bethesda
• RLJ Lodging Trust, Bethesda
• DiamondRock Hospitality, Bethesda
• Choice Hotels Intl., Rockville
• Federal Realty Investment Trust, Rockville
• American Capital, Ltd., Bethesda
• Radio One, Inc., Silver Spring
• Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, Bethesda
• Synutra International, Inc., Rockville
• Washington Real Estate Investment Trust, Rockville
• Emergent BioSolutions, Inc., Rockville
• Argan Inc., Rockville
• Walker and Dunlop, Inc., Bethesda
• First Potomac Realty Trust, Bethesda
• Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc., Olney
• Saul Centers, Inc. , Bethesda
• Broadsoft, Inc., Gaithersburg
• Eagle Bancorp, Inc., Bethesda
• Chindex International, Inc., Bethesda
• American Capital Mortgage Investment Corp., Bethesda
• Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Bethesda
• Novavax, Inc., Rockville
• OBA Financial Services, Inc., Germantown

Their success demonstrates the overall strength of our business community and contributes so much to our local economy. Congratulations to ALL of our Montgomery County companies on this year's list!

Sincerely,

Steve Silverman

Director

 

Zoning Code Rewrite Session 4

Tomorrow the PHED Committee will hold its fourth work session on the Zoning Code Rewrite. Our agenda: Employment and Industrial zones.

To make sure you are able to follow along as we continue to work through the Zoning Code Rewrite, we now have a page dedicated to the rewrite where you can get all of the staff memoranda and watch recordings of earlier meetings. Best of all, there is now an FAQ section that answers the questions that have come up most often in testimony and communications from residents. If you are looking for even more background information, check out the overview or the interactive map where you can see how proposed changes would affect your property.