Montgomery County Debates Zoning Changes for Single-family Homes

The Montgomery County Council voted to increase the county’s recordation tax rates, which will ultimately make housing less affordable.

 

Council President Evan Glass and Council members Natali Fani-González, Will Jawando, Sidney Katz, Kristin Mink, Laurie-Anne Sales, and Kate Stewart all supported this increase, which will amount to up to 30% more in recordation tax being paid by a homebuyer at the settlement table.

 

The recordation tax issue was raised primarily to shore up a gap in funding for school construction.

 

Montgomery County is considering a proposal to allow duplexes, triplexes, and smaller apartment buildings in single-family home neighborhoods.

 

The Planning Board recently approved the Attainable Housing Strategies project, which now awaits County Council review and potential approval. This initiative aims to address the county’s housing shortage and provide more options for middle-income residents, but it has also sparked significant opposition among residents.

 

Planning Director Jason Sartori explained that the county’s current housing supply does not meet the diverse needs of its residents, leading to skyrocketing housing prices. The average sales price of a single-family detached home in the county has exceeded $1 million, making homeownership increasingly unattainable for many middle-income families.

 

Supporters of the initiative, including Planning Board Chair Artie Harris, argue that the proposed zoning changes would not mandate property owners to convert their homes into multi-family units but would provide them the option to do so. The project also aims to reintroduce “missing middle” housing, smaller, multi-unit buildings for various demographics.

 

While some see benefits, others worry the increased density could lead to overcrowded schools, traffic congestion, and insufficient infrastructure. There are also fears that the character and aesthetic of single-family home areas would be compromised, potentially reducing property values and quality of life.

 

Environmental concerns have also been raised, with opponents questioning whether the county’s current infrastructure, including roads and sewage systems, can support the increased population density. Parking issues and the adequacy of public transportation are additional points of contention.

 

Skeptics of the initiative also doubt whether the proposed housing will be truly affordable for middle-income families. They argue that market forces might still price out the intended demographic, resulting in minimal improvement in housing affordability while altering neighborhood dynamics.

 

The next steps for the Attainable Housing Strategies project include briefings with the County Council’s Planning, Housing, and Parks Committee and potential public forums for community input. If approved, the county could see the construction of duplexes, triplexes, townhouses, and small apartments in single-family zones as early as 2025.

 

The debate highlights the complex challenge of balancing housing needs with community concerns. As your local real estate agent, I’m here to help you navigate these changes and achieve your real estate goals.

 

In life and business, a great partnership can make all the difference. I’m ready to put my in-depth local knowledge and years of experience in the North Bethesda market to work for you. Call me at (301) 346-5252. Let’s chat!