All Things Montgomery: September 2026
Thank you to those who joined us in Wheaton last Thursday for a Wheaton Plan get-together at Sabor Mixteco (pictured above)! Learn more about the plan, and share comments with Planning here.
We’ll have a chance to gather again at Smart Growth Social, CSG’s annual party at Eastern Market on October 21. Tickets are $30 and include pizza from We the Pizza, and drinks—grab yours today!
Also, don’t miss our webinar on October 5 breaking down upcoming master plans in Montgomery County, and why community engagement makes a difference. Sign up here!
Thanks for all you do,
Carrie Kisicki
Maryland Housing Advocacy Manager, Coalition for Smarter Growth
Coordinator, Montgomery for All
NEWS: County Council confirms reappointment of James Hedrick to Planning Board 🎉
Earlier this month, the Montgomery County Council voted 10-0 to override County Executive Elrich’s veto and confirm James Hedrick’s reappointment to the Planning Board. When news of Elrich's veto broke, we called on the Council to override the veto and promptly reaffirm Hedrick's appointment. Take a moment to email the Council and thank them for their vote!
Note: Councilmember Will Jawando joined colleagues in voting to reappoint Hedrick in July, as well as voting to override Elrich's veto of Hedrick in 2023. However, he was unable to attend the Sept. 15 veto override vote as he recovers from a heart attack. We are very glad that Councilmember Jawando is recovering well, and wish him a speedy return to full health.
BLOG: A chance to support more ADUs in MoCo
Council President Natali Fani-Gonzalez and Councilmember Andrew Friedson have introduced Bill 41-26 to expand access to accessory dwelling units, also known as ADUs.
The bill removes an owner-occupancy requirement for ADU rental licenses, and establishes fee waivers for ADUs rented to meet certain affordability requirements. Sign up for the October 6 hearing, or email the Council to support Bill 41-26.
Read more in this month’s blog by Montgomery for All Communications Chair Brandi Panbach!
🗣️ Make a difference! Events, meetings, and hearings
October 1: Virtual Public Hearing on the Washington Grove Connector Trail Project (learn more and register on Zoom)
October 1: Eastern Silver Spring Communities Plan Working Draft presented to Planning Board (streaming link to be posted here)
October 1: Building with Nature: Regenerative Solutions for Climate Resilient Communities (learn more and RSVP)
October 5: CSG + Montgomery for All Webinar — MoCo Master Plans and You: How You Can Get Involved! (register on Zoom)
October 6: Wheaton Plan Community Walkshop (sign up)
October 6: Bill 41-26 (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Council Hearing (learn more and sign up to support!)
October 7: Virtual Public Hearing on the Bowie Mill Road Bikeway Project in Derwood (learn more and register on Zoom)
October 21: Smart Growth Social @ Eastern Market (buy your ticket!)
November 5: Wheaton Plan Community Visioning Workshop (sign up)
Ongoing: Wheaton Plan visioning questionnaire (share your comments!)
⭐️ Featured: Master Plan 101 Webinar on October 5
Join Montgomery County Planning staff and local advocates on October 5 at 6:00 pm for updates on local master plans, and a discussion about how community advocacy makes a difference!
You'll hear from both planners and current Montgomery for All members about both sides of the coin of the community engagement process—how planners use feedback to inform plan recommendations, and what it's like to take part in the engagement process as a community member.
We'll walk you through the basics of a master plan timeline, where you can find the latest info, and how you can plug in to CSG and Montgomery for All's advocacy.
Become a member of Montgomery for All
Join our community of local advocates when you become a member of Montgomery for All!
Membership is just $5 a year and supports our advocacy for affordable, inclusive housing options and great, walkable communities across the county.
Photo credit: Carrie Kisicki
