Can someone please educate me on why Elrich has no power with respect to the upzoning proposal? In state and federal government, a proposal has to pass the legislature then be signed by the executive. Is Montgomery County government different?

Anonymous wrote:The upcoming election ballot for Montgomery County MD has a proposal to reduce the term limit for the County Executive position from three terms to two.
Given what I read about the current County Executive, I would be inclined to replace him - end his reign. But I am reluctant to set a low term limit for his hopefully better replacement.
Any thoughts from others on this?

You must be on the planning board with the ridiculous missing middle housing. I love what he said in his recent letter about your maneuvers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep, Elrich just released a video today about how awful and stupid the upzoning is. I have no idea how much of a say he has in it, but I am thankful he's speaking out against it.

He has no say in it. Some of what he says about it is right and some of what he says about is wrong. The proposal he outlined for housing would make housing prices even higher than the Planning proposal would.

Get specific about what Elrich proposes that will make housing even more expensive. There’s nothing.

But more importantly, he makes two key points:

There is enough housing planned for development ALREADY in Montgomery County. We don’t have an issue is scarcity that developers want us to think warrants ruining SFH communities to ensure they make $$$ hassle free.

There is nothing in the “attainable housing plan” that ensures affordability- NOTHING. It’s just a plan to make it easier for developers to build quadplexes without having the “annoyance” of worrying about the impact on the community, including schools and infrastructure.

Moratoria, for example, would make housing more expensive.

Yes. But they work towards ensuring adequate infrastructure, which, if left unaddressed, would make the housing created less valuable (not just the consequent price, but the intrinsic value to each resident and to society, collectively), along with all of the existing housing.

Please come up with solutions that do both, and among which full detail and robust comparative evaluations are made available for publicly available for comment for an extended period prior to plans being put forth.

We don't build infrastructure until we have the population that needs it.

Those pushing density are doing so with an argument that there is such a population already.

In case anyone wanted to read exactly what Elrich has said:


https://montgomerycomd.blogspot.com/2024/10/message-from-county-executive-marc.html?m=1

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep, Elrich just released a video today about how awful and stupid the upzoning is. I have no idea how much of a say he has in it, but I am thankful he's speaking out against it.

He has no say in it. Some of what he says about it is right and some of what he says about is wrong. The proposal he outlined for housing would make housing prices even higher than the Planning proposal would.

Get specific about what Elrich proposes that will make housing even more expensive. There’s nothing.

But more importantly, he makes two key points:

There is enough housing planned for development ALREADY in Montgomery County. We don’t have an issue is scarcity that developers want us to think warrants ruining SFH communities to ensure they make $$$ hassle free.

There is nothing in the “attainable housing plan” that ensures affordability- NOTHING. It’s just a plan to make it easier for developers to build quadplexes without having the “annoyance” of worrying about the impact on the community, including schools and infrastructure.

Moratoria, for example, would make housing more expensive.

Yes. But they work towards ensuring adequate infrastructure, which, if left unaddressed, would make the housing created less valuable (not just the consequent price, but the intrinsic value to each resident and to society, collectively), along with all of the existing housing.

Please come up with solutions that do both, and among which full detail and robust comparative evaluations are made available for publicly available for comment for an extended period prior to plans being put forth.

We don't build infrastructure until we have the population that needs it.

Those pushing density are doing so with an argument that there is such a population already.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Hey quick question- do any of you have any thoughts o whether or not it is a good idea to have term limits for a county executive?

Against. The voting is the term limit.

Thanks for answering!

My gut instinct is to agree with you. But I have also seen the very real advantage that incumbency brings, particularly in local elections. The name recognition, the "free publicity" of representing at events, ability to get donations, etc.

It creates a very uneven playing field that makes it difficult for any voter to truly evaluate on the merits.

What was the rationale for a term limit on president? Why would it not apply to the chief executive of a smaller unit of government (as opposed to legislative)? Genuine question that I don't know the answer to, but will look into...

Anonymous wrote:
Hey quick question- do any of you have any thoughts o whether or not it is a good idea to have term limits for a county executive?

Against. The voting is the term limit.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep, Elrich just released a video today about how awful and stupid the upzoning is. I have no idea how much of a say he has in it, but I am thankful he's speaking out against it.

He has no say in it. Some of what he says about it is right and some of what he says about is wrong. The proposal he outlined for housing would make housing prices even higher than the Planning proposal would.

Get specific about what Elrich proposes that will make housing even more expensive. There’s nothing.

But more importantly, he makes two key points:

There is enough housing planned for development ALREADY in Montgomery County. We don’t have an issue is scarcity that developers want us to think warrants ruining SFH communities to ensure they make $$$ hassle free.

There is nothing in the “attainable housing plan” that ensures affordability- NOTHING. It’s just a plan to make it easier for developers to build quadplexes without having the “annoyance” of worrying about the impact on the community, including schools and infrastructure.

Moratoria, for example, would make housing more expensive.

Yes. But they work towards ensuring adequate infrastructure, which, if left unaddressed, would make the housing created less valuable (not just the consequent price, but the intrinsic value to each resident and to society, collectively), along with all of the existing housing.

Please come up with solutions that do both, and among which full detail and robust comparative evaluations are made available for publicly available for comment for an extended period prior to plans being put forth.

We don't build infrastructure until we have the population that needs it.

That’s a pretty stupid way to go about it. You don’t have to dig the holes, but you need to have a comprehensive plan, especially if it’s such a “crisis.”

Plan. PLAN. Planning.

Is this a foreign concept to the PLANNING Board?

Is just giving up, seeing what sticks, and then playing infrastructure catchup for the next several decades really a plan?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep, Elrich just released a video today about how awful and stupid the upzoning is. I have no idea how much of a say he has in it, but I am thankful he's speaking out against it.

He has no say in it. Some of what he says about it is right and some of what he says about is wrong. The proposal he outlined for housing would make housing prices even higher than the Planning proposal would.

Get specific about what Elrich proposes that will make housing even more expensive. There’s nothing.

But more importantly, he makes two key points:

There is enough housing planned for development ALREADY in Montgomery County. We don’t have an issue is scarcity that developers want us to think warrants ruining SFH communities to ensure they make $$$ hassle free.

There is nothing in the “attainable housing plan” that ensures affordability- NOTHING. It’s just a plan to make it easier for developers to build quadplexes without having the “annoyance” of worrying about the impact on the community, including schools and infrastructure.

Moratoria, for example, would make housing more expensive.

Yes. But they work towards ensuring adequate infrastructure, which, if left unaddressed, would make the housing created less valuable (not just the consequent price, but the intrinsic value to each resident and to society, collectively), along with all of the existing housing.

Please come up with solutions that do both, and among which full detail and robust comparative evaluations are made available for publicly available for comment for an extended period prior to plans being put forth.

It’s almost like you’re saying that part of the value of a home is the infrastructure around it. Maybe it’s fair to capture at least part of that value in, say, an impact fee, which the YIMBYs don’t think developers have to pay.

Hey quick question- do any of you have any thoughts o whether or not it is a good idea to have term limits for a county executive?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep, Elrich just released a video today about how awful and stupid the upzoning is. I have no idea how much of a say he has in it, but I am thankful he's speaking out against it.

He has no say in it. Some of what he says about it is right and some of what he says about is wrong. The proposal he outlined for housing would make housing prices even higher than the Planning proposal would.

Get specific about what Elrich proposes that will make housing even more expensive. There’s nothing.

But more importantly, he makes two key points:

There is enough housing planned for development ALREADY in Montgomery County. We don’t have an issue is scarcity that developers want us to think warrants ruining SFH communities to ensure they make $$$ hassle free.

There is nothing in the “attainable housing plan” that ensures affordability- NOTHING. It’s just a plan to make it easier for developers to build quadplexes without having the “annoyance” of worrying about the impact on the community, including schools and infrastructure.

Moratoria, for example, would make housing more expensive.

Yes. But they work towards ensuring adequate infrastructure, which, if left unaddressed, would make the housing created less valuable (not just the consequent price, but the intrinsic value to each resident and to society, collectively), along with all of the existing housing.

Please come up with solutions that do both, and among which full detail and robust comparative evaluations are made available for publicly available for comment for an extended period prior to plans being put forth.

We don't build infrastructure until we have the population that needs it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep, Elrich just released a video today about how awful and stupid the upzoning is. I have no idea how much of a say he has in it, but I am thankful he's speaking out against it.

He has no say in it. Some of what he says about it is right and some of what he says about is wrong. The proposal he outlined for housing would make housing prices even higher than the Planning proposal would.

Get specific about what Elrich proposes that will make housing even more expensive. There’s nothing.

But more importantly, he makes two key points:

There is enough housing planned for development ALREADY in Montgomery County. We don’t have an issue is scarcity that developers want us to think warrants ruining SFH communities to ensure they make $$$ hassle free.

There is nothing in the “attainable housing plan” that ensures affordability- NOTHING. It’s just a plan to make it easier for developers to build quadplexes without having the “annoyance” of worrying about the impact on the community, including schools and infrastructure.

Moratoria, for example, would make housing more expensive.

Yes. But they work towards ensuring adequate infrastructure, which, if left unaddressed, would make the housing created less valuable (not just the consequent price, but the intrinsic value to each resident and to society, collectively), along with all of the existing housing.

Please come up with solutions that do both, and among which full detail and robust comparative evaluations are made available for publicly available for comment for an extended period prior to plans being put forth.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep, Elrich just released a video today about how awful and stupid the upzoning is. I have no idea how much of a say he has in it, but I am thankful he's speaking out against it.

He has no say in it. Some of what he says about it is right and some of what he says about is wrong. The proposal he outlined for housing would make housing prices even higher than the Planning proposal would.

Get specific about what Elrich proposes that will make housing even more expensive. There’s nothing.

But more importantly, he makes two key points:

There is enough housing planned for development ALREADY in Montgomery County. We don’t have an issue is scarcity that developers want us to think warrants ruining SFH communities to ensure they make $$$ hassle free.

There is nothing in the “attainable housing plan” that ensures affordability- NOTHING. It’s just a plan to make it easier for developers to build quadplexes without having the “annoyance” of worrying about the impact on the community, including schools and infrastructure.

Moratoria, for example, would make housing more expensive.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Guys, I know the housing proposal is a big deal right now. But it is a mistake to confuse the two issues. The County Executive does not have a say in that.

Elrich is being smart, if a little deceptive, to capitalize on the opposition to boost his popularity right now. But whether the executive personally supports the policies passed by the Council is irrelevant. When considering who to support for executive, think about the services you are getting from the county and whether you think they are administered well.

He’s been a long time opponent of this monstrous proposal and had been vocal about that for years. He’s not new to this issue, nor are his perspectives on it. To characterize it as a cynical ploy for popularity is absurd. He gains nothing except the continued gratitude from the middle class and working class communities who don’t want our neighborhoods overrun by developers looking to exploit us for $$$$

Look, I'm not expressing an opinion on the proposal one way or another, or on whether Ehrlich is a good County Exec. What I am saying is that people shouldn't get confused that he has any control over the upzoning plan. And this thread alone shows that people ARE confused. Whether that was his intent or not, it was the impact.

https://montgomerycomd.blogspot.com/2024/10/message-from-county-executive-marc.html

Not control, but there is the opportunity to influence/contribute to the discussion. And that is aside from any pulpit offered by the position, which is important, itself.

Considerable objection has been made by residents regarding the lack of or improper analysis that has gone into the AHS. These concerns have been met, at times, with calls for those objecting to provide the analysis, itself, or, presumably, to cease their objections. In most cases, the data necessary for such analysis, if not the time and expertise, lies not with the residents objecting, but with Planning, itself, whose reluctance and reticence are among the objections in the first place (and where the Council appears to be following the same).

The County Executive has reach into data, along with County employees with expertise, to provide at least a cursory evidence-based picture to the public. The linked blog post shows some of that, and this can foster the deeper discussion that Planning and the Council appear to seek to avoid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Guys, I know the housing proposal is a big deal right now. But it is a mistake to confuse the two issues. The County Executive does not have a say in that.

Elrich is being smart, if a little deceptive, to capitalize on the opposition to boost his popularity right now. But whether the executive personally supports the policies passed by the Council is irrelevant. When considering who to support for executive, think about the services you are getting from the county and whether you think they are administered well.

He’s been a long time opponent of this monstrous proposal and had been vocal about that for years. He’s not new to this issue, nor are his perspectives on it. To characterize it as a cynical ploy for popularity is absurd. He gains nothing except the continued gratitude from the middle class and working class communities who don’t want our neighborhoods overrun by developers looking to exploit us for $$$$

Look, I'm not expressing an opinion on the proposal one way or another, or on whether Ehrlich is a good County Exec. What I am saying is that people shouldn't get confused that he has any control over the upzoning plan. And this thread alone shows that people ARE confused. Whether that was his intent or not, it was the impact.

https://montgomerycomd.blogspot.com/2024/10/message-from-county-executive-marc.html

Anonymous wrote:Guys, I know the housing proposal is a big deal right now. But it is a mistake to confuse the two issues. The County Executive does not have a say in that.

Elrich is being smart, if a little deceptive, to capitalize on the opposition to boost his popularity right now. But whether the executive personally supports the policies passed by the Council is irrelevant. When considering who to support for executive, think about the services you are getting from the county and whether you think they are administered well.

He’s been a long time opponent of this monstrous proposal and had been vocal about that for years. He’s not new to this issue, nor are his perspectives on it. To characterize it as a cynical ploy for popularity is absurd. He gains nothing except the continued gratitude from the middle class and working class communities who don’t want our neighborhoods overrun by developers looking to exploit us for $$$$