Montgomery County Councilmembers voted unanimously Tuesday morning to approve the Planning Board’s proposed Growth and Infrastructure Policies with just days to spare.
“We have taken quite a bit of time to work through these issues,” said Council President Andrew Friedson. “We’ve received significant input from the executive branch as well as from the broader public, and our relevant outside departments and agencies.”
These policies, which reflect the Thrive Montgomery County 2050 plan that the council approved last month, will govern county development for the next four years.
The Thrive plan, which looks towards the next 30 years, mainly highlights where growth should occur. Supporters of the plan have claimed that it will improve affordable housing and living environments. Critics have stated otherwise, saying that it will negatively impact middle-to-low income families. County Executive Marc Elrich, who’s openly disagreed with the plan, stated that the recent resignation of all five members of the Planning Board have raised further concerns.
According to the 49-page proposal, the Planning Board is focused on ensuring that “new development provides adequate public facilities in an appropriate manner and extent.” Furthermore, the board is prioritizing economic competitiveness, compact growth, attainable housing and environmental resilience as its goals. The proposal also listed racial equity and social justice as primary focuses, highlighting the need to eliminate “racial and other disparities experienced by residents of color.”
Following the council’s approval, the resolution will take effect at the beginning of next year on Jan. 1.