Today's read: Controlling cars in Montgomery

County draws car-free blueprint: Most suburban growth plans -- including Montgomery's, until Tuesday -- discourage development in congested areas, including those near public transit, and encourage construction in more sparsely populated communities, on the theory that new developments should arise where traffic is still tolerable. Montgomery's new growth policy will also give the county an opportunity to improve its bus system and encourage more people to take the bus or subway. (Miranda S. Spivak)

Council also backs I-270 HOT lanes: The County Council unanimously endorsed a plan to add reversible rush-hour lanes on parts of Interstate 270 and make solo commuters pay to use them. (Miranda S. Spivak)

Metro to let monitors on tracks: Since spring, the agency had barred monitors from the body that oversees safety at Metro from getting onto the track bed while trains were in operation. "We are reversing that, we are rejecting that, we are repudiating that," said Metro board Chairman Jim Graham, who also is a D.C. Council member. (Lena H. Sun and Joe Stephens)