The proposal, Zoning Text Amendment 25-02, is a key piece of the More Housing N.O.W. package of reforms introduced earlier this year by Councilmembers Natali Fani-González and Andrew Friedson.

The council passed prior pieces of the package in April, but it has faced opposition from County Executive Marc Elrich and from residents worried about the effects that higher-density housing could have on their neighborhoods.

More than 1 million people reside in Montgomery County, and about 35% of its households rent, with more than half of those renters classified as cost-burdened. Its median home price is $632K.

“We have to acknowledge that we have a problem that Montgomery County, like jurisdictions all over the region and throughout the country, is completely unaffordable to most average, normal, hardworking people who have good jobs,” Friedson told Bisnow.

“Exactly what is the best solution to solve these issues, there is still discussion and debate on that,” he added. “And I think it’s healthy for us to have a discussion.”

The proposal up for approval on Tuesday would change the county’s zoning to allow duplexes, triplexes and apartment buildings up to 40 feet tall on many properties that today only allow single-family housing.

The upzoning would apply to properties abutting the more than 25 roadways that are at least 100 feet wide and have at least three traffic lanes. They include sites along main corridors that connect the county’s commercial hubs and lead into D.C., such as Wisconsin Avenue, Connecticut Avenue, Georgia Avenue, Massachusetts Avenue, Old Georgetown Road and University Boulevard.

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