Councilmember Trachtenberg Introduces Development Oversight Legislation

At this morning’s County Council session, Councilmember Trachtenberg introduced new legislation to require oversight and coordination of new complex development in Montgomery County. Trachtenberg is Chair of the Council’s Committee on Management and Fiscal Policy.

Joining Councilmember Mike Knapp, Chairman of the Committee on Planning, Housing and Economic Development as original co-sponsors are Councilmembers Phil Andrews (D-District 3) and Roger Berliner (D-District 1)

Bill 1-10 amends the County’s laws governing coordination of development and “provides further coordination and oversight of master-planned development … and further coordination and oversight of development districts.”

The bill directs the county executive to designate an employee in the Office of the Executive or in the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer as the development coordinator for each planning area for which a newly revised master or sector plan has authorized intensive new development or redevelopment. The coordinator would oversee the financing and development of County infrastructure in the planning area. The coordinator also would serve as the primary point of contact for residents and businesses located in the planning area and the developer of any development located in the area.

In her remarks during the Council session, Councilmember Trachtenberg discussed the need for oversight and coordination for complex. “I am looking forward to the conversation with the community, homeowners, business and developers about this proposal,” said Trachtenberg. She said that the proposal would be discussed in a joint work session of the Committee on Management and Fiscal Policy and Committee on Planning, Housing and Economic Development.

A press event with representatives of the business community, developer community and civic community is scheduled for Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 11 a.m. in the Council Office Building in Rockville, Maryland.

Councilmember Trachtenberg Meets with Asian American Business Leaders

Councilmember Trachtenberg met yesterday afternoon with a group of Asian American business leaders to talk about the community’s concerns regarding job growth and the need for a more comprehensive over-all vision for the Gaithersburg West/”Science City”. The group emphasized the need for attracting and retaining Asian businesses and Asian science and medical research professionals and their families in Maryland and Montgomery County, in particular.

Councilmember Trachtenberg explained that she also felt a desire for more specificity in the over-all plan being advanced and asked that these leaders write up a very clear proposal of their needs, ideas and concerns regarding this development project and make sure that all the Councilmembers received such proposal.

U.S. Census Office Opens Montgomery County Office in Rockville

The U.S. Census Bureau today opened a new office in Rockville to support all field operations in Montgomery County for the 2010 Census Survey, which will be conducted in March 2010. The field office is located at 2400 Research Blvd., Suite 100, Rockville.

Census data determines how more than $400 billion is allocated each year to local and state governments. The money is used for schools, roads, hospitals, senior centers and other social services in the community.

Households will begin receiving their census questionnaire beginning March 15, 2010. The 2010 census form is one of the shortest forms in history, and asks for name, gender, age, race, ethnicity, relationship, and whether you own or rent your home. There are 10 questions, which will take about 10 minutes to complete. Individual responses are used for statistical purposes only and all responses remain confidential. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share this information with anyone.

The Rockville office will employ approximately 1,000 people in various positions to support field operations in Montgomery County. The Census Bureau is now recruiting for census taker positions, who will visit households that did not return a questionnaire. Interested applicants should call 1-866-861-2010 or go to www.2010census.gov.

For more information about the 2010 census, go to http://www.blogger.com/www.montgomerycountymd.gov/census.

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/apps/News/press/PR_details.asp?PrID=6081

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County Executive's Town Hall Meeting in Silver Spring

The Trachtenberg Office was represented at County Executive Isiah Leggett's Town Hall meeting at the Takoma Park Middle School, in Silver Spring, on November 12, 2009. Previous town meetings have drawn thousands of residents who have taken advantage of the opportunity to voice their concerns to the County Executive.

"Town meetings present an excellent opportunity for me to find out what's on the mind of our residents," said Leggett. "A cornerstone of my administration has been to make sure 'everyone has a seat at the table' and these public meetings provide a forum for our residents to share their ideas and concerns."

At the meeting, the County Executive addressed a broad range of questions including trends in the County budget, maintenance of effort issue, public safety, job creation, improved access for people with disabilities, and growth and development issues. One issue that attracted much public content was youth empowerment and programs for young people in the Silver Spring area.

At this meeting, the County Executive announced that Montgomery County and the Lee Development Group signed a final agreement permitting the construction of a Fillmore Music Hall on the property which formerly housed the J.C. Penney Company in downtown Silver Spring.

The town meeting was videotaped by County Cable 6, the County government channel, for future airing.