code enforcement reforms

December 22, 2009


The Honorable Nancy Floreen
President, Montgomery County Council
100 Maryland Avenue
Rockville, Maryland 20850

Dear President Floreen and Councilmembers:

On behalf of the Mid-County Citizens Advisory Board I am writing to urge the County Council to support the County Executive’s package of “Quality of Life” code enforcement reforms now before the Council. The County Executive’s package of reforms resulted from recommendations of his Code Enforcement Working Group, which worked closely with residents and organizations in the Mid-County area to identify problems and solutions.

As you are aware, progress has stalled on Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 09-03, which is designed to further restrict the encroachment and expansion of home occupations into residential neighborhoods, as well as limiting the paving of front yards and prohibiting the parking of heavy commercial vehicles in residential zones. We support ZTA 09-03 as submitted to the Council by the County Executive.

Still pending before the Council committee is Bill 24-09 to limit permits on unfinished residential construction to 18 months (currently there is no deadline). We support this bill. We also support adoption of Bill 22-09 to speed up the process for resolving code violations.

We urge you to work to bring ZTA 09-03, Bill 24-09, and Bill 22-09 to the full Council for action as soon as possible.

Sincerely,



Sheldon Fishman
Chair



cc: Isiah Leggett, County Executive