Madeleno Zoning Bill does not get Gov. Erlich's Signature After All

Del. Rich Madeleno sent out the following appeal to residents and municipal officials for support. If you would like to do so you are asked to send an email (suggested wording is offered below) to:

Governor Erlich's website email address

Dear Fellow Resident--

Governor Ehrlich has decided not to sign our state bill and, on the advice of Del. Rich Madeleno, we are mounting an email campaign to urge him to allow the bill to become law without his signature. Under Maryland law, the bill will become law without his signature, if not vetoed by May 30.

As you may have heard, the Governor has been contacted by developers asking him to veto the bill. He needs to hear from you that the bill is important to municipalities and their residents. Suggested language and contact information is posted below.

Thanks,

Julia Miller

Here is suggested language for your email to Governor Erlich if you wish to support the campaign to have the Zoning Bill pass into law:

OPTION A

Dear Governor Ehrlich,

Please allow HB 1232 to become law without your signature.

This bill, which provides enabling authority for municipalities in lower Montgomery County to establish certain building requirements, is critical to the ability of towns in lower Montgomery County to manage residential development within their neighborhoods. Note that the bill, which passed the Maryland legislature by unanimous vote in early April, enjoys widespread support among residents in each of the 12 towns affected, including the Town of Chevy Chase. The bill does not dictate specific requirements for each town. Rather, it restores authority, currently available to every other municipality in the state, to determine, through their own political processes, what building requirements, if any, should apply.

Sincerely,

OPTION B

Dear Governor Ehrlich,

Please allow HB 1232 to become law. This bill is important to me and other residents, who are deeply concerned about the unaddressed problems stemming from the rapid redevelopment of properties in lower Montgomery County. This law would give us the ability, through our own political process, to adopt certain building requirements so that future construction respects the attributes of our town that we have come to cherish.

Sincerely,