TESTIMONY BEFORE THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY COUNCIL: ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT No: 06-17

                                                                                                                  July 11, 2006

Good evening. I am Melpi Jeffries, speaking for Nancy Soreng, President of the League of Women Voters of Montgomery County, MD (LWVMC). Housing issues have been a focus of LWVMC research, study, discussion and consensus leading to position statements since the early sixties. In 2005, LWVMC studied and reached consensus on a number of housing issues including housing for residents with special needs and home accessibility. Accordingly, LWVMC supports Montgomery County policies and programs to provide shelter and services to all individuals with special needs, including individuals with specials needs due to mental illness, homelessness, physical disability,

developmental disability and age. Further we support the production of barrier free or accessible housing as a voluntary effort on the part of the home-building industry, encouraged by a combination of incentives such as an award program and some mandatory measures.

ZTA# 06-17 will facilitate the accessibility of one-family dwellings by making it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to modify their homes. While accessible features are more readily incorporated during the original construction of homes, the trend of “aging in place” often necessitates modifications. ZTA# 06-17 eliminates the costly and time-consuming administrative barrier of the zoning appeals process, allowing those with disabilities to modify their homes when it becomes necessary. The amendment applies only to accessibility improvements that do not exceed the minimum design specifications in the Maryland Accessibility Code and Montgomery County Building Code, decreasing the likelihood of any negative impact on adjacent properties.

While this amendment will not result in the production of barrier free or accessible housing, it is a small step in that direction and will encourage Montgomery County seniors and residents with disabilities to take advantage of the “Accessible Homes 4 Seniors” program recently announced by the State of Maryland. LWVMC urges the adoption of ZTA#06-17. Thank you for your attention.