When Montgomery County’s Council comes back from vacation on Jan. 16, the governmental body’s plate will be filled with the most talked-about proposal of the year — a six-month moratorium on development — as well as a smattering of allocation requests for both this year and next.
The moratorium proposal accompanies a bill introduced by Council President Marilyn Praisner and passed by the entire body that forces the planning staff to recommend a new growth policy within six months.
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Praisner said she feels like the halting of new subdivision construction is necessary to give planners time to figure out where future growth should be concentrated.
A few of her colleagues, including returning Council Member Nancy Floreen, have expressed trepidation about the bold move. But a vote at the first meeting of 2007 will bring resolution to the idea.
Also on tap for Jan. 16 are requests for the council to dole out about $600,000 for a trio of after-school programs in the county run by the Department of Recreation.
The programs are at Paint Branch Sports Academy, Springbrook Sports Academy and Wheaton Sports Academy.
Stephanie White, who runs the after-school programs through the recreation department, said the funding request is reminiscent of a larger trend of increasing county-sponsored programs for latchkey kids, who account for a whopping 70 percent of public school students.
Department of Correction leaders also have introduced a proposal asking for about $750,000 to make improvements to the county jail. That item also will be taken up in January, as will talks about how to divvy up grant money for nonprofit organizations.
The protocol has been for council members to have final say on the charities that will receive county funds. However, Council Member Valerie Ervin has questioned the role a special panel of residents should play in this decision.
