SUBJECT: Amend the Subdivision Regulation Amendment (SRA 25-02)
Dear Council President Stewart, Vice President Jawando, Council Members Albornoz, Balcombe, Fani-Gonzalez, Friedson, Glass, Katz, Luedtke, Mink, and Sayles:
I urge the County Council to amend SRA 25-02 as follows:
The County Council should reject any recommendations from the Planning Board or others to expand the eligibility of lots for upzoning beyond the terms stated in ZTA 25-02. This includes any loopholes; to allow flag lots and/or through lots. ZTA 25-02 prohibited the creation of flag lots and through lots so that upzoning would not penetrate neighborhood interiors, a crucial requirement that must be upheld.
The County Council should limit lot consolidations to two adjacent lots and impose square footage caps related to underlying zoning. These restrictions are necessary to reduce traffic, parking, environmental and infrastructure problems associated with upzoning and to achieve the Council’s intent that upzoning under ZTA 25-02 remain compatible with surrounding single-family zones.
**R-60 Example: The dominant zoning in most CCCFH (Citizens Coordinating Committee on Friendship Heights) neighborhoods is R-60 (minimum zoned lot size of 6,000 square feet). The County Council should limit R-60 lot consolidations to two adjacent lots, and in no case should the total square footage of any R-60 two-lot consolidation for upzoning exceed 12,000 square feet.
The County Council should limit the maximum lot coverage for properties eligible for upzoning to the limits for single family homes. This provision is needed to ensure that upzoned properties remain compatible with the surrounding neighborhood, to preserve green space and tree canopy, and to minimize stormwater runoff.
The County Council should require the inclusion of a citizens’ advisory committee in the ZTA 25-02 decision-making process to ensure transparency, community representation and accountability in the ongoing administration and evaluation of the statute. The official participation of a citizens’ advisory committee is necessary to provide meaningful input from affected communities.
Thank you for your service and for your consideration of these comments.
Sincerely,