Glass Bill Would Tax New Home Construction After Demolition

Councilmember Evan Glass (D-At Large) has introduced the Housing Impact Fairness Tax (Bill 34-19) that would, under certain conditions, tax new home construction following the demolition of an existing single-family home. Co-sponsored by Councilmember Will Jawando (D-At Large), the bill would earmark the new revenue for school construction and affordable housing initiatives.

Building at 900 Spring Not Historic, Planning Board Decides

The Planning Board yesterday declined to place a building at 900 Spring St. on the Locational Atlas and List of Historic Sites. The 5-0 vote rejected a staff recommendation to list the former headquarters of the National Sand & Gravel Association and National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, which opened in 1964.

County Dedicates Protected Intersection, Completing Circuit of Bike Lanes

County officials dedicated the mid-Atlantic’s first “protected” intersection this morning at Spring and Second streets, marking the completion of a circuit of bike lanes around downtown Silver Spring. The “cycletrack” runs along Spring/Cedar streets, down Wayne Avenue and alongside Second Street, providing a direct connection to the Silver Spring Transit Center.

Parks Foundation Reaches Civil Settlement in Theft Case

The Montgomery Parks Foundation has reached a $300,000 civil settlement with a former employee accused of misappropriating foundation funds, according to a statement from John Robinson, the foundation’s president. Robinson discovered discrepancies in the foundation’s bank statements and other financial records in mid-January. The Maryland-National Capital Park Police and the county’s State’s Attorney Office investigated the case.

Weeklong Festival Begins Tomorrow in Long Branch

The first Long Branch Festival begins Friday night, Sept. 20, for a weeklong celebration of the neighborhoods, businesses and culture of the area, according to organizers. “The purpose of the Long Branch Festival is to celebrate the dynamic neighborhood, businesses and culture of Long Branch,” according to the festival website. “Our goal is to bring communities together and celebrate our diversity, expand understanding of the crucial role of shared public spaces and highlight the value of locally owned stores.