Bethesda sunset in March of 2023 by John Brighenti licensed under Creative Commons.

Montgomery County rent stabilization debate marked by disagreements

The Montgomery County Council is debating how to protect tenants from large yearly increases in rent without unintentionally discouraging developers from building new homes in a county that is short by nearly 25,000 housing units for households making less than area median income. The sticking point appears to be what constitutes a reasonable rent increase in a county where wages have tended to rise more slowly than rental housing costs.  (Katie Shepherd / Washington Post)  

Broyhill Mansion back on the market in Arlington as site for up to 36 missing middle housing units

Broyhill Mansion, in Arlington’s Donaldson Run neighborhood, sold last year for $2.5 million but is now back on the market for $10 million given its new potential as a site of by-right housing development following Arlington’s missing middle reforms. Some neighbors are exploring ways to fight against potential development, while the property’s owners cite negativity in the neighborhood as one reason they’re putting the property back on the market.  (Charlie Clark / Falls Church News Press)  

Baltimore doesn’t have an inclusionary zoning law in place, and residents are paying the price

Baltimore’s poorly enforced inclusionary zoning law expired last year, and a new law has yet to pass — putting the city out of compliance with HUD fair housing regulations and, over the last 15 years, depriving residents of hundreds of affordable housing units. Residents point to a new all-market-rate development proposed for the historically Black Sharp-Leadenhall neighborhood as an example of what happens when local government fails to prioritize affordability and racial equity in economic development. (This article is behind a paywall).  (Clara Longo de Freitas / Baltimore Banner)  

National Labor Relations Board giving up at least 40% of its Navy Yard space in 2025

The change to the NLRB’s planned footprint, which was announced via a General Services Administration solicitation notice, indicates that the agency expects to have significantly fewer workers regularly on-site at its Navy Yard location. The decision is consistent with a recent Government Accountability Office report that only a quarter of federal agency space is used on a daily basis.  (Emily Wishingrad / BisNow)  

Ambassadors in yellow: Meet WMATA’s roving customer service reps

WMATA has hired 25 ambassadors to ride different segments of the Metrorail system to answer rider questions, keep their eyes out for trouble, and reassure riders that the Metrorail system is well-managed. WMATA also recently launched a team of mental health crisis specialists. In hiring these ambassadors, WMATA is following in the footsteps of San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, and New York City who all hope that more eyes and ears on trains will make customers feel safer and use Metro more often.  (Justin George / Washington Post)  

Know before you go: Alexandria considering real-time parking availability signs

Alexandria is considering adding automated signs to three Old Town parking garages that would let drivers know how many spaces are currently available before they enter. The plan, which requires Board of Architectural Review approval, would reduce the number of drivers who circle looking for parking spots, improving traffic safety and reducing emissions of air pollutants. This is the second proposal in as many years aimed at this problem; last year the city reduced garage rates to make them cheaper than on-street parking.  (Vernon Miles / ALXNow)  

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