Breakfast links: DC Council passes controversial law allowing drivers with unpaid tickets to renew their licenses
Wilson Building by Lawrence G. Miller licensed under Creative Commons.
DC Council passes law allowing drivers with unpaid tickets to renew their licenses
DC Council approved a bill on Tuesday to allow the renewal of licenses with unpaid traffic tickets. The bill has divided many councilmembers, advocates, and the public over the need to enforce traffic safety while not placing an undue economic burden on low-income and Black residents. (Julie Zauzmer Weil / Post, Amanda Michelle Gomez / DCist. Tip: Chester B.)
The fight to add missing middle housing in Arlington heats up
The Arlington County Council took up a proposal Tuesday to legalize multiplex housing up to 8 units on every lot currently zoned exclusively for single-family homes. This comes after years of studying the issue. “We’re in a housing crisis. We need more homes,” said YIMBYs of Northern Virginia President Jane Green. Opponents, however, have compared Missing Middle housing to “D-Day,” and asked for more time to get more public feedback. (Teo Armus / Post. Tip: Luca Gattoni-Celli)
Transit advocates say latest I-270 expansion analysis is flawed
Transit advocates are asking for an independent review of Maryland’s latest traffic analysis, saying the numbers from the most recent traffic modeling don’t add up, and seem to skew in favor of the state’s widening plan. State officials have maintained that the widening of I-270 and parts of the Beltway with more toll lanes would reduce traffic. A project spokesperson said the latest analysis was approved by the Federal Highway Administration. Critics say the widening plan would only bring more traffic and worsen climate change. (Katherine Shaver / Post)
MoCo leg must have climate assessment attached
The Montgomery County Council voted Tuesday in favor of a bill that requires all legislation to be studied for its potential impacts on climate change. This legislation is in line with the county’s climate action plan, which has a goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80% within five years, and to eliminate them by 2035. (Christine Zhu / Bethesda Beat)
Plans for affordable housing at Fairfax County Government Center move forward
An application to convert parking lots at the Fairfax County Government Center and redevelop them into two apartment buildings was submitted to the county on July 8. Through the public-private partnership, the project would deliver 293 affordable units. A central pedestrian promenade and other outdoor amenities are also included in the plan. (Fatimah Waseem / FFXnow)
A call for a unified vision for transit in Baltimore
In a campaign called “Baltimore’s Transit Future,” transit advocates are hoping to push politicians, business leaders, and other stakeholders to support a long-range plan to expand bus and rail service while making existing services more reliable in the Baltimore region. (Bruce DePuyt / Maryland Matters)
Have a tip for the links? Submit it here.