Here's our roundup of must-read posts from the week:
Montgomery County is talking about allowing more affordable homes in some of its wealthiest neighborhoods by opening up single family zoning near transit. How soon will it happen?
If a National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board survey is right, COVID-19 is changing how people view neighborhoods and transportation — people want to walk and bike more, and drive less, once the pandemic is over, the survey suggests.
Residents near the Benning Road Metro could one day have another transportation option if efforts to extend the DC Streetcar across the Anacostia River are successful. Whether it will happen, however, remains to be seen.
Another push for a better transportation link in DC is much shorter, only about a block of protected bike lane missing. The catch? That block is next to the White House.
At GGWash, we too are trying to build a path forward and fill out gaps to build a strong publication and a strong organization. Read more about what we've been up to this last year and how you can help.
Montgomery County has a housing shortage, particularly for lower-priced homes. In December, County Councilmember Will Jawando introduced a bill, ZTA 20-07, that would allow duplexes, townhomes, and small apartment buildings on “R-60” lots within one mile of Red Line stations. The Planning Department is already working on its own plans to create more “missing middle” homes, including one focused on downtown Silver Spring that could involve zoning changes and Thrive 2050, which looks at the entire county and will not involve any zoning changes. Both of these efforts will play out over the next several months, with many opportunities for public input.
By Bill Pugh (Guest Contributor) • February 23, 2021
Results of a recent “Voices of the Region” Survey show that many of the region’s residents want to walk and bike more, and drive less in general; telework more than they did pre-pandemic; and use transit if there are service and COVID-19 related safety improvements, among many other takeaways.
By Michael Havlin (Guest Contributor), Delia Houseal (Guest Contributor) • February 26, 2021
Earlier this month, ANC 7E passed a resolution of support for the full streetcar extension to the Benning Road Metro, and requested that the Mayor and DC Council ensure that the extension receives full funding in the 2022 budget. As some residents and advocates push for the project, the future of a streetcar extending east of the Anacostia is still uncertain.
By George Kevin Jordan (Managing Editor) • February 24, 2021
2020 didn’t defeat us – but it certainly helped define us. GGWash’s managing editor, George Kevin Jordan, recounts the year, and how, dedicated volunteers, an amazing staff, and readers just like you, helped to keep us going.
