Rockville 2040: Comprehensive Plan Update

December 11, 2020 By Pat Harris

Pat Harris

More than two years ago, the City of Rockville commenced its “Rockville 2040: Comprehensive Plan.” The first step involved the Planning Commission’s review of Volume 1 of the draft Comprehensive Plan, which was a “30,000 foot view” of planning issues and elements effecting the City. The substantive recommendations guiding future development within the City are set forth in Volume II of the Plan. Volume II addresses the key planning issues for each of the City’s 17 Planning Areas and identifies … Continue Reading

Montgomery County Council Adopts 2020-2024 Subdivision Staging Policy

December 1, 2020 By Elizabeth Rogers

Elizabeth Rogers, Attorney

On November 16, 2020, the Montgomery County adopted the new, four-year Subdivision Staging Policy, to be renamed the Growth and Infrastructure Policy, controlling growth and development for the next four years. Lerch, Early & Brewer was pleased to have had a significant role in working with Park and Planning Staff, the Planning Board, County Council Staff and the County Council itself on a policy that will better accommodate new development.

Most significantly, the new SSP eliminates the school moratorium policy, county-wide. … Continue Reading

Montgomery County General Plan Update

"Thrive Montgomery 2050"

November 18, 2020 By Elizabeth Rogers

Elizabeth Rogers, Attorney

The Montgomery County Planning Department is in the process of updating the County’s General Plan – titled “Thrive Montgomery 2050.” The General Plan serves as a foundation for all planning, land use policies, and development in the County. The General Plan was initially drafted in 1964 (with updates in 1969 and 1993). Given the substantial evolution in the County’s demographics, employment base, and development characteristics in the last 50 years, an update is certainly in order. While the Plan seeks … Continue Reading

UPDATE: PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY POSTPONES COUNTYWIDE MAP AMENDMENT

November 11, 2020 By Vincent Biase

Vincent Biase, Attorney

The Prince George’s District Council and Planning Board Joint Public Hearing on the proposed Countywide Map Amendment (CMA) has been postponed indefinitely. On November 9, 2020, County Council Chair Todd M. Turner issued a statement announcing that the Joint Public Hearing scheduled for November 19, 2020 has been postponed.

Chair Tuner cited the following as reasons for the Council’s postponement of the CMA in his public statement:

Recent metrics indicating a resurgence in COVID-19 cases;
Alignment with the advice of

More Key Decisions Coming Up for Montgomery County Council on Subdivision Staging Policy

November 2, 2020 By Laura Tallerico

Laura Tallerico

Over the past several weeks, the Montgomery County Council has been holding work sessions on the 2020-2024 Subdivision Staging Policy (SSP).

The next work session will occur on Thursday, November 5. At its work sessions to date, the Council has taken straw votes on various key policies for schools, transportation, and impact taxes. Through these straw votes, the Council largely has accepted – with some crucial refinements – the Montgomery County Planning Board’s recommended framework for the SSP set forth … Continue Reading

Update on COVID-19 Pandemic Procedures – Traffic Counts Allowed

October 27, 2020 By Elizabeth Rogers

Elizabeth Rogers, Attorney

The Montgomery County Planning Department has adopted a new Traffic Count Data Collection Policy that will allow certain projects that have been stalled, as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, to move forward.

Traffic counts are typically not allowed to be taken during periods of school closure. As such, when the State of Maryland entered a State of Emergency on March 14, 2020, the Montgomery County Planning Department stopped accepting any transportation impact studies using traffic counts taken on or … Continue Reading

Prince George’s Countywide Map Amendment Process Restarts

October 19, 2020 By Vincent Biase

Vincent Biase, Attorney

After a six-month delay due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Prince George’s Countywide Sectional Map Amendment (CMA) is finally back on the County Council’s agenda. The County will kickoff the CMA process next month with a Joint Public Hearing on Thursday, November 19 at 5 PM. Those wishing to participate in or view the Joint Public Hearing can do so at the links provided below:

Register To Speak
Watch Live

The Joint Public Hearing on the CMA has been … Continue Reading

Upcoming Dates: Montgomery County Subdivision Staging Policy (Growth Policy)

October 5, 2020 By Steve Robins

Steve Robins

As noted in our prior post, the Montgomery County Council has begun its review of the Planning Board’s Final Draft 2020 – 2024 Subdivision Staging Policy. By law, the Council must approve the SSP no later than November 15. In order to meet this deadline, the Council has scheduled several worksessions. GO/PHED Committees have held two joint worksession thus far (September 25 and 30), on both the transportation and school elements, including issues involving the SSP and Impact Taxes. … Continue Reading

Proposed Regulatory Extensions – Prince George’s County Council Responds to COVID-19 Impacts on Real Estate and Development Industries

September 26, 2020 By Vincent Biase

Vincent Biase, Attorney

On September 22, Council Bills 73-2020 and 74-2020 were introduced to the Prince George’s County Council. In light of the impact of COVID-19 on the real estate and development industries, CB-73-2020 and CB-74-2020 propose to extend the validity periods for approved Preliminary Plans of Subdivision, Detailed Site Plans, and Specific Design Plans. This legislation would effectively accommodate projects in the development pipeline that have been disrupted by Pandemic-related shutdowns and fluctuations in the marketplace by extending applicable approval periods.

Proposed

Robert A. Gordon Joins Lerch Early Leading New Bankruptcy/Financial Restructuring Practice

September 23, 2020 By Chris Ruhlen

Chris Ruhlen, Principal

Robert A. Gordon has joined Lerch Early as a principal after 14 years as a judge on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland. The move bolsters the ability of Lerch Early’s Land Use group to advocate for its clients in a critical area that will become even more important in the wake of the pandemic.

Before coming to the bench, Robert represented clients in every aspect of commercial litigation and insolvency law, in both federal and state