sadly, predictable 9-0 vote and sad predictable virtue signaling from council members

As expected, today’s County Council vote passing ZTA 19-01 was unanimous.  A last minute amendment introduced by Council member Albornoz to increase screening that would require an additional two feet of setback was defeated 5-4.  Council President Navarro said the vote was just one step to address the affordable housing shortage.  Council Member Riemer spoke about how proud he was that the Council was “inclusionary” and  stood resolute against opposition. Council Member Abnornoz said although he had reservations, he felt that objections had been dealt with reasonably by the Council and was proud to stand with his colleagues to pass the zoning change.  The staff noted at the beginning of the meeting that they had received a petition with over 1,100 signatures in opposition to the ZTA, but no more mention was made of that by the Council.

A number of new faces joined the opposition today. Thank you to everyone who came out!  Reporters from the New York Times, Christian Science Monitor, WAMU and Bethesda Beat attended and interviewed opponents.  Rebecca Tan’s story ran in the print version of the Washington Post today and her on-line version ran yesterday. She interviewed some of the opponents who attended today’s Council meeting by phone.  It is obvious by the tenor of the questions that most of the reporters had been co-opted by the other side and will portray opponents as old, racist, fuddy-duddies who just want to live in the past.

There will be a public hearing on the ZTA companion legislation on September 28.  We are looking into whether the County Executive has the power to veto such legislation if so inclined and other measures to provide more representative government in Montgomery County.

If you have suggestions on other next steps, please let us know. And, thank you for standing firm against this ill-conceived zoning change!!  

Although disappointed that our Council seems focused on carrying out their personal agenda instead of representing their constituents, we are optimistic that our citizenry is becoming better informed about the issues and thus will be able to take the appropriate action in the future.