The county formally launched its Business Connect program to support new and growing businesses during an event held yesterday at the Silver Spring Library. The program includes counseling, classes, workshops and other training and will be offered at three area locations.
Renovations to Juniper Blair Neighborhood Park at 7600 Blair Rd. in Takoma Park will continue this week, according to Montgomery Parks staff. The park should reopen at the end of this week, weather permitting.
National Night Out, an annual community-building campaign designed to promote partnerships between police departments and local neighborhoods, will be held tomorrow, Aug. 6, around the country. The county’s police department will be participating in various community events.
Grammy-award winning trumpeter Arturo Sandoval will headline the 16th annual Silver Spring Jazz Festival, according to an announcement from the Silver Spring Arts & Entertainment District. The free festival will be held Saturday, Aug. 24 from 3-10 p.m. on two stages, with performances by festival cofounder Marcus Johnson, The Eric Byrd Trio, Paul Carr and The Real Jazz Ambassadors, and others.
The County Council yesterday unanimously passed a zoning text amendment to make it easier for homeowners to add accessory dwelling units to their property. An ADU is a separate dwelling unit that is on the same lot as a single dwelling unit with its own entrance, full kitchen and bathroom. The ADU tenant does not have access to the rest of the home. Examples include an apartment over a garage, a basement apartment (known as an “English basement”), an in-law suite, or a so-called tiny house on a side lot.
County residents interested in buying a home may qualify for a no-interest loan to assist with the down payment or closing costs under a county-administered program. Applicants must be 18, first-time home buyers (with one exception) and meet income eligibility limits, which vary by location and household size.
The county has issued a heat emergency alert for people and pets effective from noon today (July 19) through Sunday, July 21 at 8 p.m. A heat alert means the heat indices during the period are expected to reach 105 degrees or higher. During this time, the Animal Services Division will be enforcing anti-cruelty regulations for dogs.
Landlords would be required to provide and maintain working air conditioning in county rental units under the terms of a bill introduced yesterday by Councilmember Tom Hucker (D-District 5). Systems would have to provide an inside temperature of eighty degrees or less from May 1 through Sept. 30 each year.
The County Council today will introduce a bill to amend the county code regulating accessory apartments. The bill is intended to conform the County Code with changes made by a proposed Zoning Text Amendment and address issues surrounding ADUs that could not be addressed in a zoning change.