Elrich proposes bills requiring new home sellers to give buyers an option to install solar panels; owners of commercial buildings to add environmentally friendly roofs
A bill introduced to the County Council last month by council member Marc Elrich would require sellers of new homes to provide a buyer the option to install a solar panel system. Elrich said when introducing the bill that the aim was to encourage homebuilders to offer buyers a solar power alternative. The bill would also require sellers to estimate the cost of the panels and the annual energy savings they could create. The bill would apply to single-family detached homes as well as townhouses and row houses. Council member Tom Hucker co-sponsored the bill. A public hearing on the legislation is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. April 10 at the County Council Office Building.
Elrich also introduced a related bill last month that would require an environmentally sustainable roof be installed on certain new or redeveloped office, apartment and condo buildings. The policy would cover new buildings measuring at least 10,000 square feet and redeveloped buildings in which more than 50 percent of the building’s gross floor area has been altered, according to the legislation. If the legislation passes, 15 percent of the roof of a building meeting the requirements would have to be covered by solar panels or alternative roof coverings detailed in section 408.3 of the International Green Construction Code. A public hearing on this bill is also scheduled for 1:30 p.m. April 10.
Stroke Comeback Center to host grand opening later this month in Rockville
A new clinic that recently opened in Rockville aims to give stroke survivors and their families the care and assistance needed to return to normal life. Stroke Comeback Center, a nonprofit, will host the grand opening of its new Rockville location on April 26 after offering initial classes earlier this year. The clinic has a location in Vienna, Virginia, that opened in 2005 and it’s the only center of its kind in the Washington, D.C., area, according to the nonprofit.
The center also treats victims of traumatic brain injuries including wounded military members. It offers support groups and classes to help people regain cognitive function after a stroke or injury. Programs at the center include book clubs, writing workshops and exercise groups.
AARP offers discount concert series with Strathmore
The American Association of Retired Persons is partnering with Strathmore this year to offer discounts to concerts at The Music Center at Strathmore and shows at AMP at Pike & Rose in North Bethesda. AARP is offering discounts of 10 percent to 30 percent off a concert at the Music Center every month for the next 12 months as well as 30 percent off comedy shows offered through AMP’s “AMP Comedy Night Series.”
The group is offering discounts on the ticket price of the following concerts at the Music Center over the next three months:
- 20 percent off tickets to see AirPlay on April 22 at 4 p.m. ;
- 30 percent off tickets for Iron & Coal on May 3 and 4; and
- 10 percent off tickets for Herbie Hancock on June 24 at 8 p.m.