TROUBLE IN PARADISE
By Lori Jaffe
The MoCo Democrats have long acted as though they have the solution to all our problems. If we would only listen to them, we would have heaven on earth. For the most part, it’s all about taxing us and then spending our money to support their far-left ideas. But now they are fighting among themselves. The Attainable Housing Strategies Initiative is essentially the Planning Board and Council’s attempt to put MoCo into compliance with the United Nation’s 15-Minute City concept. Recently Council President Andrew Friedson got an earful from the mostly Democrat constituents during the Attainable Housing listening sessions. Fighting for his political life after decades of failed policies, County Executive Marc Elrich has come out against the initiative.
You can make your voice heard. Vote For Question A, to hold Elrich to two terms. While we have their attention, email the Planning, Housing and Parks Committee to register your opposition to the initiative (see below) and sign the petition. (Note that a financial contribution is NOT required - you can X out of the solicitation, and your signature will still be recognized.)
Clean Slate MoCo reported on which councilmembers will be negatively impacted by the Attainable Housing Strategies Initiative. Turns out that “...some … are more equal than others.”
“When looking at the primary residence of the County Council members (not their 2nd homes such as Evan Glass has in MoCo), the following council members would be impacted.
- Natalie Fani-Gonzalez – R90
- Gabe Albornoz – R90
- Marilyn Balcombe – R200
- Kristin Mink – R60
- Kate Stewart – R60
- Evan Glass – R60
The gigantic parcels of land owned by Dawn Luedtke and Will Jawando are excluded as they are in Zone RC and Zone RE-2, respectively. Both Laurie-Anne Sayles and Sidney Katz, residing in Gaithersburg, are also excluded. And Council President Andrew Friedson is excluded as he resides in Zone R10.
It is not unusual for County Council members to vote on policies and regulations that do not directly impact them, but this is a major change in zoning policy and will directly impact families and communities that are subject to these changes. Shouldn’t everyone have skin in this game….?
You can look up which zone your residence falls into using this online map.”
Please contact the Planning, Housing and Parks Committee.
Here is a sample letter:
Planning, Housing and Parks Committee Members:
The Attainable Housing Strategies Initiative will not work well for the low and middle-income residents in Montgomery County. If more naturally occurring affordable houses were allowed to exist in the county, low and middle-income residents could afford to buy them. Your effort will make it easy for developers to build duplexes, quads, and even multi-unit buildings with only an administrative rubber stamp. These units will be sold at the market price. There will still be a shortage of housing that low-income and middle-income residents can afford. I encourage you to reconsider this poorly planned initiative.
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Lori Jaffe is the Party Secretary for the Montgomery County Republican Central Committee, volunteer coordinator and Member of the Executive Board. She can be reached at [email protected]