The petition now has more than 2,800 signatures!
 
The County Council and Planning Board continue to press forward with the final draft of Thrive Montgomery 2050. When Thrive (even as a “vision document”) is approved by the County Council, it will set the stage, as a guide for zoning changes, including Zoning Text Amendments (ZTA’s), that will allow multi-family housing by right in single-family residential neighborhoods throughout the County.
 
The Montgomery County Civic Federation (MCCF) recently held an informational meeting with Alissa Luepke Pier, Former Minneapolis Planning Board Vice President, who described the unintended consequences in Minneapolis of up zoning single-family neighborhoods to neighborhoods in which multi-family units (duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes and townhouses) can be built as a matter of right. Instead of more local housing ownership, most of the new units will be market-rate rental units, mostly too small for families, and owned by out-of-area (absentee) landlords with little or no interest in the neighborhoods.  For more information on Ms. Pier, her biography and a zoom link to the recording is located at the bottom of the flier that is posted on the CCCFH website (linked here).
 
We are hearing concerns from residents all over the County regarding not being involved or informed regarding the progress with Thrive Montgomery, Attainable Housing Strategies, and potential ZTA’s. This is precisely why Montgomery County needs to establish Neighborhood Advisory Groups throughout the County. This is also why we need to continue to circulate this petition to residents COUNTYWIDE: http://chng.it/v8HF74DqPb
 
Make your voice heard, the future of our county depends on informed, participating residents. Educate yourself about the troubling details of the Thrive Plan on the CCCFH website: www.cccfhmd.org/thrive-plan