Up to date on “Need to Know”? See what you may have missed.
Need to Know: What is Thrive Montgomery and Why Should You Care? (May 7, 2021)
Planning Board Chair Casey Anderson and Planning Director Gwen
Wright answered these questions at a Seat at the Table Event, hosted by
NAIOP’s DC/MD’s Leadership Committee. To learn more about what Chair
Anderson and Director Wright discussed, and
to understand the Planning Commission’s Vision for the County for
the next 30 years, - Learn More
Need to Know: Silver Spring Downtown & Adjacent Communities Sector Plan (Feb. 23, 2021)
On February 18th, Park & Planning Staff briefed the
Planning Board on its existing conditions analysis regarding the Silver
Spring Downtown Plan area. Staff reported that there currently is
approximately 24 million square feet
of development in downtown Silver Spring, 40 million square feet of
current mapped zoning and approximately 16 million square feet of
unbuilt capacity. Staff is beginning to grapple with why there remains
such a wide range of unused density,
and how to entice developers to build more in the Plan Area. - Learn More
Need to Know: 2020 Growth and Infrastructure Policy (Dec. 22, 2020)
We are pleased to share a special video presentation prepared by
MNCPPC’s Jason Sartori, specifically for NAIOP DC/MD members, regarding
how the Growth Policy impacts development in Montgomery County. - Learn More
Need to Know: Montgomery County has released its draft Climate Action Plan (Dec. 17, 2020)
Montgomery County has released its draft Climate Action Plan,
proposing steps necessary to reach the county goal of reducing
greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2027 and 100% by 2035. The plan calls
for an all-electric commercial and residential construction
code beginning in 2022 and a net zero energy construction
requirement beginning in 2030. - Learn More
Need to Know: DC Building Energy Performance Standard - Update (Dec. 10, 2020)
The DC Mayor’s Office and the District Department of Energy and
Environment have released the draft regulations for the Building Energy
Performance Standard (BEPS), which establish minimum energy efficiency
standards for regulated buildings, the paths
and timelines for compliance, and the potential penalties for
non-compliance. Beginning in 2021, all privately owned buildings in the
District of Columbia over 50,000 square feet are subject to BEPS as part
of the Clean Energy DC Omnibus Act.
- Learn More
Need to Know: Connecting on Montgomery County IGCC Advocacy (Sept. 24, 2020)
Montgomery County has proposed updating its green code to align with
the 2018 International Green Construction Code (IgCC), making it one of
the first jurisdictions in the country to propose adopting this code.
The proposed regulation is applicable to
all commercial construction projects larger than 5,000 square feet
and includes new portions of existing buildings. The proposed regulation
includes minimal amendments to the 2018 IgCC and at this time there are
no compliance pathways proposed for
LEED or other green building rating systems. - Learn More
Need to Know: 2020 County Growth Policy (May 20, 2020)
Montgomery County’s Park & Planning Commission will be releasing, on Thursday, May 21, 2020, its Working Draft of the 2020 County Growth Policy (link: SSP webpage). The Planning Board will be briefed on the SSP on May 28, 2020. Park & Planning Staff provided NAIOP DC|MD with a preview of its recommendations, - Learn More
Need to Know: Congratulations to Awais Qazi (May 19, 2020)
Congratulations to Awais Qazi NAIOP DC l MD Chapter member and winner of one of four NAIOP $5,000 diversity student scholarships. This scholarship program supports students pursuing a graduate degree in commercial real estate and is a key component of NAIOP’s pledge to advance diversity in the industry. Scholarships are awarded to students from demographics traditionally underrepresented in commercial real estate and whose universities participate in NAIOP’s University Membership program. - Learn More
Need to Know: Chapter COVID-19 Follow Up & Resources (May 14, 2020)
Since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic NAIOP DC l MD has endeavored to keep our members informed through our Need to Know newsletters and a series of relevant webinars. The two most recent webinars; Returning to a New Normal: Rethinking Workplaces for Reentry and Future Planning, presented by Kim Sullivan, Principal, Gensler and Maximizing PPP Loan Forgiveness, by Doug White, Managing Director, Glass Jacobson Financial Group were of great interest to our members.- Learn More
Need to Know: I-270 Corridor Transit Project Study Update (April 21, 2020)
On April 21st, Park & Planning provided NAIOP DC/MD’s Leadership Committee with a briefing regarding its I-270 Corridor Transit Project. The project is focused on transit options for the County’s north/south corridor. The overall plan includes Frederick County, City of Frederick, Montgomery County and Fairfax County, including demands to and from activity centers in each jurisdiction.
Park & Planning’s overall objective is to improve the commute between Frederick and Tysons by determining which project(s) should receive funding and be prioritized over a 25 year timeframe - Learn More
Need to Know: CARE Acts Important for landlords and business (April 1, 2020)
Please see below for important, timely information regarding the SBA loan program and other resources. It contains links to various documents and the Treasury Dept. info. site. The most important documents are also attached; the application form
for businesses to apply for the SBA loan program, and info sheets for borrowers and lenders. According to some reports, the SBA may have a site up this week and will be able to fund these loans, possibly as soon as Friday. These loans will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. NAIOP members will want to share this information with their tenants to call their attention to the availability of these funds.
For those tenants who may be concerned about taking on additional debt during this time, the borrower fact sheet is useful in providing some comfort in this regard (see below).
From the Borrower Fact Sheet:
The loan
amounts will be forgiven as long as:
- The loan proceeds are used to cover payroll costs, and most mortgage interest, rent, and utility costs over the 8 week period after the loan is made; and
- Employee and compensation levels are maintained.
Payroll costs are capped at $100,000 on an annualized basis for each employee. Due to likely high subscription, it is anticipated that not more than 25% of the forgiven amount may be for non-payroll costs.
Loan payments will be deferred
for 6 months.
Paycheck Protection information
Program Overview
Program Borrower Fact Sheet
Program Lender Information
Program Application
Learn More
Need to Know -COVID-19 CRE Government Information & Service Update - DC (March 25, 2020)
Washington, DC COVID-19 Closings and Prohibitions
March 24th
Additional Resources
COVID-19 Guidelines for Construction sites. Construction work considered essential
DCRA Service Updates related to COVID-19
DCRA Online Services
Need to Know Construction and related services deemed “Essential Businesses” (March 25, 2020)
On Monday, March 23, Governor Larry Hogan ordered all “non-essential” businesses closed until further notice. According to the guidance accompanying the order, commercial and residential construction companies and material suppliers may remain open.
Supplemental guidance makes clear that supporting professional services such as architecture, engineering and title companies may also remain open.
Since the City of Boston ordered a halt to all construction on March 16, NAIOP and other
industry groups had been tracking the actions of other jurisdictions and communicating with the Governor Hogan’s office about how to treat construction sites and other real estate activities as the state takes further steps to stem the spread of COVID-19.
COVID-19 CRE Government Information and Service Update - Maryland (March 23, 2020)
State of Maryland:
The Departments of Commerce and Labor are posting on-going updates and answering frequently asked questions for Maryland businesses through a dedicated state web site. Members of the business community are encouraged
to submit questions directly to Secretary.Commerce@maryland.gov.
Maryland is working with the Small Business Administration to produce guidance to businesses affected by the outbreak on how to apply for low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans. Local economic development offices are documenting impacts
to small businesses to include in the state’s request for a Federal declaration that would enable the lending program. NAIOP members are encouraged to contact local economic development offices with information about direct and indirect business
impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. Learn More
DC Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) (March 9, 2020)
Beginning in 2021, all privately owned buildings in the District of Columbia over 50,000 square feet are subject to a new Building Energy Performance Standard (BEPS) as part of the Clean Energy DC Omnibus Act. Buildings will be grouped into categories
of similar typologies to establish a median performance score for each building type. Buildings that score above the median will be considered compliant, while those that fall below the baseline will have 5 years to demonstrate a 20% improvement in
energy efficiency or face possible financial penalties. Learn More
Montgomery County IgCC Stakeholder Meeting (March 6, 2020)
Montgomery County is planning to adopt the 2018 International Green Construction Code (IgCC). The County plans to ramp up the energy performance of new buildings covered under the IgCC at each code cycle, with a goal of reaching net zero energy buildings
by 2030. Learn More
Subdivision Staging Policy Developer Workshop (Jan. 27, 2020)
The Montgomery County Planning Department has been working on visioning for the County’s General Plan. Park & Planning has begun to create a proposed Strategic Framework, centered around the County’s Economic Health, Community Equity and Environmental
Resilience. Learn more by reviewing the Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission’s Thrive Montgomery 2050 found here.