Some Montgomery County officials are suggesting major concessions for White Flint developers after business interests said they would be unfairly squeezed to pay for the future urban town center along Rockville Pike.
County Executive Ike Leggett has backed out of plans to charge White Flint developers transportation impact taxes, which would help pay for infrastructure improvements in the area. Instead, he is proposing solely a special tax district for property owners within three-fourths of a mile of the White Flint Metro station — excluding existing residential sites.
Beginning next fiscal year, property owners within the special tax district would pay an extra 10 cents per $100 of assessed value.
However, the County Council must approve the revamped plan. And some council members say spiking the transportation tax leaves millions of dollars on the table and sets a dangerous precedent for future development projects.
The White Flint sector plan calls for three stages of development over the next few decades, which is expected to double density in the area and inject $7 billion into county coffers.
