The way that the county controls development in crowded areas is up for debate again this year.

The Montgomery County Council is holding a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to discuss the county’s Subdivision Staging Policy, previously referred to as the Growth Policy.

The Montgomery County Planning Board has requested the county use a new test to measure traffic in the area around a proposed development, and the Montgomery County Board of Education is requesting a change to the way that the school system can spend funds from developers building in overcrowded areas.

The board submitted written testimony to the County Council requesting more flexibility when it comes to spending the funds, but will not be testifying in person Tuesday, according to board President Shirley Brandman.

The school board decided in August to make the recommendation.

The change would make it so the school system could spend the funds for capital projects in the county, and not just in the area, or school cluster, they are collected.

The County Council denied this request the last time the school system asked three years ago, and the Montgomery County Council of Parent Teacher Associations were against the change.

Representatives from both groups said last month they still were opposed.

The new traffic test, called the Transportation Policy Area Review, will identify solutions to issues caused by traffic, and should make it easier to schedule and fund capital projects, according to a planning board memo.

The hearing will take place in the council hearing room on the third floor of the County Council building, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville.

Click here to see the proposed 2012 Subdivision Staging Policy.

jbondeson@gazette.net