Montgomery County Council Meeting – September 29, 2026

The Montgomery County Council convened on September 29, 2026, for a full-day session that began with two proclamations (Dolly Parton Day and Economic Development Week), followed by a consent calendar, a worksession on long-term solid waste disposal alternatives, public hearings on water and sewer plans and an OZAH fee schedule, and a district council session that took action on several zoning items. The meeting also included a closed session for legal advice and a youth town hall in the evening.

Consent Calendar

• The Council acknowledged receipt of two Inspector General publications: one concerning alleged misconduct by an Office of the County Attorney employee, and one concerning alleged misconduct by a Montgomery County Police Department executive.
• Introduced a resolution to declare no further need for a portion of the Gude Landfill and to dispose of it via a long-term lease to Community Power Group LLC (public hearing scheduled for October 13, 2026).
• Introduced and adopted a resolution approving a state grant petition for Montgomery College's Theatre Arts Building Renovation Project ($4,325,000).
• Introduced and adopted a resolution approving a state grant petition for Montgomery College's Macklin Tower Library Project ($912,000).
• Introduced and adopted a resolution confirming the appointment of Julie Anderson to the Friendship Heights Village Council.
• Adopted resolutions confirming County Executive appointments to the Department of Permitting Services Advisory Committee (Radwan Chowdhury), Historic Preservation Commission (Marc Dominianni, Jennifer Kirwan, Karl Pitt), Commission on Landlord-Tenant Affairs (Donald Cooksey, Craig Kundrot), Commission for Women (Tiffany Boiman, Ana Bonilla, Stephanie Cardot, Georgia Coffey, Sheena Foster, Alyssa Sanders), and Commission on Children and Youth (14 appointees).
• The consent calendar was approved with 10 votes in favor (one abstention noted as WJ ta).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Water and Sewer Plan Public Hearing (1:30 p.m.): Two speakers addressed the 2026-2035 Comprehensive Water Supply and Sewerage Systems Plan.
  • Joan Parrish (Friends of Ten Mile Creek and Little Seneca Reservoir) opposed granting sewer connections to RE1-zoned properties on Clarksburg Road, arguing that such changes would undermine the master plan and increase development pressure. She urged the Council to maintain the current policy excluding RE1 zoning from public water and sewer access.
  • Susina Lemma Ashame (applicant for a sewer connection at 21820 Clarksburg Road) supported the connection, explaining that she plans to develop an assisted living facility for a nearby 55+ community. She stated that the facility would allow seniors to remain close to friends and family as they age.

Discussion Items

• Worksession: Long-Term Alternatives for Solid Waste Disposal (9:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.): The Council heard a detailed presentation from ReWorld, the operator of the county’s Resource Recovery Facility (RRF). ReWorld emphasized that the RRF is a world-class system that diverts 90 million tons from landfills annually, generates 250,000 MWh of electricity (powering about 24,000 homes), recycles ~10,000 tons of metal per year, and avoids 901,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases. They argued that trucking waste to landfills would be more expensive (citing a $1.4–1.8 billion higher lifecycle cost over 30 years compared to upgrading the RRF), increase truck traffic (100–160 trucks per day from the transfer station), and pose greater safety and environmental risks. ReWorld proposed a phased capital investment of ~$100 million less than the Arcadis estimate, with per-ton pricing and performance guarantees. Council members questioned ReWorld on emission exceedances (two events in 2025), continuous monitoring feasibility, PFAS destruction (99% at grate temperatures of 2,000°F), ash disposal options (including potential reuse as aggregate and a non-EJ landfill in Pennsylvania), and the financial implications of reduced waste volumes. Council Vice President Balcom and Councilmember Glass highlighted the deferred maintenance issue, noting that major capital needs were only brought to the Council’s attention two years ago. Councilmember Mink pressed for cost comparisons including selective catalytic reduction and more frequent testing. DEP Director Macedonia noted that a competitive procurement process would be needed for any long-term contract.

• District Council Session (1:35 p.m.):

  • LMA H-161 (495 Self Storage LLC): Introduced; action tentatively scheduled for October 6, 2026.
  • ZTA 26-09 (Rural Village Center Overlay Zone – Vehicle Repair – Limited Use): The PHP Committee recommended enactment with amendments, including clarifying setbacks (50 feet from residential lot lines, with Planning Board authority to modify), allowing alternative shade tree structures (requiring equivalent tree planting elsewhere), and technical corrections. Councilmember Sales asked why heavy commercial vehicles (up to 16,000 lbs) were not included; staff explained that such repair is only allowed in industrial zones and a broader ZTA would be needed.
  • SMA H-163 (University Boulevard Corridor Plan): Adopted after re-noticing due to a duplicate application number. The vote was 8-3 (Councilmembers Mink, Katz, and Jawando voting no).

Key Outcomes

• Solid Waste Disposal Worksession: No vote taken; the Council will continue discussions at a future worksession with a comparative chart of environmental, fiscal, and community impacts. Staff will follow up on ReWorld’s answers regarding costs, emission controls, and ash reuse.
• OZAH Fee Schedule: The Council adopted a resolution adding fees (25% of the prevailing conditional use fee or $540 plus $960 per square foot) for reinstatement of non-conforming uses (unanimous).
• Zoning Ordinance Amendment Process: The Council approved revisions to the process for introducing and considering zoning text amendments, clarifying who may recommend a ZTA, transmission requirements, and withdrawal procedures (unanimous).
• ZTA 26-09 (RVC Vehicle Repair): Enacted as amended (unanimous roll call vote, 11-0).
• SMA H-163 (University Boulevard Corridor Plan): Adopted (8-3; Councilmembers Mink, Katz, and Jawando opposed).
• Public Hearings: The hearing on the OZAH fee schedule was closed; the hearings on WSSC water spending control limits and the water/sewer plan remain open (record closes October 5, 2026, and September 29, 2026, respectively).
• Closed Session: The Council met in closed session from 11:15 a.m. to discuss legal advice and litigation strategy regarding contractual rights and facilities.
• Youth Town Hall: Scheduled for 6:00 p.m.