January 25, 2021 UPDATE
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By Rick Meyer, Montgomery County Coalition for the Control of Cell Towers
HE'S BACK!!
COUNCILMEMBER RIEMER RE-INTRODUCES ZTA19-07
while announcing A "FINAL PUSH" TO PASS INDUSTRY FRIENDLY ZONING REGS IN THE MIDST OF A RAGING PANDEMIC
Councilmember Hans Reimer (D/At-Large) last week issued press release setting February 10, 2021 as the date he intends to revisit action (again) on Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 19-07 that had been "suspended" almost exactly one year prior.
We remain STRONGLY OPPOSED to this very ONEROUS zoning bill, which is completely unfriendly to County residents. Particularly at this time when residents and most elected officials of the County Government are focused on beating COVID-19.
The press release contains numerous assertions that are NOT supported by data, and it misleadingly scrambles analogies between WIRED and WIRELESS networks. A full fact-check on the press release will be ready later this week.
As lead sponsor again, Mr. Riemer, with this proposed legislation, makes his fourth attempt over the past three years, to make it faster, cheaper, and easier for Big Wireless to install bulky, high-powered wireless antenna transmitters and related equipment as close as 30 feet, and sometimes closer, to single-family zoned homes.
ZTA 19-07 is co-sponsored by Council Vice-President Gabe Albornoz (At-Large) and Councilmember Craig Rice (District 2). Both co-sponsors are quoted in the press release. However, neither Mr. Albornoz nor Mr. Rice serves on the Planning, Housing & Economic Development (PHED) Committee which has jurisdiction over wireless zoning issues.
Why Riemer Pulled the Bill in 2020
Mr. Riemer, as Chair of the County Council's PHED Committee, summarily pulled a scheduled vote on the proposed bill from the Committee agenda on February 1st of last year. He was apparently unable to enlist the support of PHED Committee members -- Councilmembers Andrew Friedson (D - District 1) and Will Jawando (D/At-Large) -- in order to move the bill out of the committee. Committee approval is necessary to bring the bill to full Council for consideration and final vote.
The Council conducted a hearing last year where two dozen County residents testified to register STRONG disapproval of the ZTA. Of the scant number who spoke in favor of the ZTA, most of them had ties to the wireless industry (lobbyists and outside lawyers).
County Executive Marc Elrich submitted testimony OPPOSED to ZTA 19-07 at the hearing in January 2020. Mr. Elrich urged the Council to pause, so that comprehensive zoning legislation and administrative regulations could be developed to address the wireless issues. And he conveyed his intent for staff and agencies to develop the legislation and regulations by working with residents and technical experts, not just industry lobbyists.
It was reported last year that neither Mr. Friedson, nor Mr. Jawando would support ZTA 19-07 while Montgomery County was actively engaged in two lawsuits against the FCC. (Those lawsuits are very briefly described below.) So, rather than be defeated in a formal (and public) Committee vote, Mr. Riemer - as Chair - simply removed the item from consideration the day before scheduled vote last year and placed bill in suspension. (More explanation about Mr. Riemer's sidestep on ZTA 19-07 can be found in this Bethesda Beat article...)
However, if Mr. Reimer can swing just one PHED member to support ZTA 19-07 this year - a full and final Council vote could come as soon as early March 2021.
There is unlikely to be another hearing allowing public testimony. So we must stop ZTA 19-07 in Committee – with a formal vote.

We need your support to STOP ZTA 19-07 once and for all!
We urge each of you to email both Mr. Friedson and Mr. Jawando TODAY (along with the 4 other Councilmembers who have NOT sponsored this bill). Tell Councilmembers to prioritize the concerns of County residents and neighborhoods ahead of the interests of Big Wireless.
Find Council Contact Information at the bottom of this page
More details will be coming soon.