Council creates review panel on Agricultural Reserve

Wednesday, April 5, 2006

The County Council voted unanimously Tuesday to form an ad hoc committee to explore the issues facing the Agricultural Reserve.

The 10-to-15-member group will be responsible for reviewing pending zoning, septic system and property transfer issues in the 93,000-acre Upcounty area. The group will present a report of its findings to the council by year’s end.

To become a member of the committee, write Council President George L. Leventhal, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville MD 20850 by April 21. For more information, call 240-777-7983.

Special needs housing

The council’s Planning, Housing and Economic Development and Health and Human Services committees are unhappy with the county’s latest efforts to secure adequate housing for its homeless, elderly and disabled residents.

An interagency group formed in October to further the county’s 10-year plan to end homelessness told the committees this week that the county needs about 632 housing units for single adults and 71 family units.

The group defines homelessness and special needs as households with income levels below 30 percent of the area median income, or less than $27,100 a year for a family of four, or less than $18,950 a year for an individual.

‘‘Is it appropriate to tell residents that we are beginning to end homelessness when we are falling farther and farther behind?” asked a frustrated Leventhal (D-At large) of Takoma Park.

The group has developed an 18-month work plan to secure additional units, develop a plan for additional rental subsidies and sell off county-owned land not conducive for special needs housing. But members are not ready to announce the group’s yearly goals.

County Executive Douglas M. Duncan included $473,000 in his operating budget proposal for rental assistance subsidies for 75 households. Last week, Councilman Steven A. Silverman (D-At large) of Silver Spring and Leventhal proposed $500,000 for rental assistance to 50 homeless families and individuals.

Floreen to seek second term

Councilwoman Nancy M. Floreen (D-At large) of Garrett Park will stand for re-election.

Floreen is chairwoman of the council’s Transportation and Environment Committee. She was elected in 2002 as part of the End Gridlock slate. Before joining the council, Floreen served eight years on the Planning Board and Park and Planning and is a former mayor of Garrett Park.

In a statement, Floreen said her campaign priorities this year are improving transportation, fostering community and supporting excellence in education.

Her campaign kickoff will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Garrett Park Town Hall.

Coming up

*Operating budget public hearings: 1:30 p.m. today; and 7 p.m. April 5, 6, 17, and 18 in the Council Office Building at 100 Maryland Ave. in Rockville.

*Gone fishin’: No committee or regular sessions next week. The council returns April 17.