The Montgomery County Council, in conjunction with the Montgomery County Planning Board, completed a series of Attainable Housing Strategies Listening Sessions this week. Stakeholders and residents across the county were invited to provide input on the plans, where they were reminded that “no legislation is currently before the County Council” and that council members are doing an “unprecedented level of public outreach” before moving forward.
MMC-TV recorded the final listening session at Bethesda Chevy-Chase High School. The majority of attendees at the session, by show of hands, opposed the proposed plans. Here is a recap of the concerns from audience members:
- Lack of data and analysis on previous, similar programs in the County.
- Attainable does not mean affordable and equitable; the proposed plans will result in high-priced, multi-unit duplexes.
- Stress on infrastructure in terms of traffic and already over-crowded schools.
- Loss of the environment like trees and wildlife.
- Impact on home values and cost-of-living for current residents.
- A one-size-fits-all approach does not meet the needs of individual communities.
Watch to learn more about this complex issue and to hear the full remarks.