County Council Town Hall at Leisure World

This afternoon, I joined my Council colleagues for a televised Town Hall meeting at Leisure World in Silver Spring. The program was very well attended by Leisure World residents, and I saw many, many friends there. The women and men who live there always ask insightful questions of their guests and today was no exception.

Among the many questions asked—and answered—were those related to transportation and traffic, economic development, the growing deer population, senior services, the Costco project, the future of the Sligo Creek Golf Course, the Veterans Park in Wheaton, and County budget issues.

Many thanks to the Leisure World community for their warm welcome and their continuing interest in our work.

FY11 Operating Budget Worksession to Continue on Monday, May 17

The Montgomery County Council will hold a Fiscal Year 2011 Operating Budget worksession on Monday, May 17, 2010 beginning at 9:30 a.m. This meeting will be held in the Third Floor Hearing Room of the Council Office Building at 100 Maryland Ave. in Rockville. The meeting will be televised live by County Cable Montgomery (CCM—Cable Channel 6 on Comcast and RCN, Channel 30 on Verizon) and also will be available via streaming through the County Web site at http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/.

The Council will discuss the annual Community Grants program and the new MC 311 Customer Service Center that will radically change how the County addresses requests for services and information. The Council also will get an updated report on the proposed consolidation of the Park Police unit of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission with the Montgomery County Police. Another item on the Council agenda is Department of Economic Development.

The Council is scheduled to reach a tentative agreement on the budget on May 20 and is scheduled to adopt the budget on May 27.

To view Council session's complete agenda, click here.

Trachtenberg Office Attends Smart Growth Discussion

Naomi Bloch, Community Liaison for Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, attended a presentation last evening at the National Building Museum on “Smart Growth” issues. Jeff Speck, of Speck & Associates, a Washington D.C. based design consultancy serving public officials and the real estate industry, gave a slide presentation and answered questions from the audience on “The Smart Growth Manual” he authored with Andres Duany.

Maryland and Montgomery County were mentioned at least three times during Mr. Speck’s remarks as good examples of a state’s and county’s best practices, favorably noting the requirement that large developments include a significant percentage of affordable housing, and our County’s commitment to the Agricultural Reserve.

San Francisco Mayor, Gavin Newsome says: “The Smart Growth Manual” is an indispensable guide to city planning. This kind of progressive development is the only way to fully restore our economic strength and create new jobs, new industries and a renewed ability to compete in the first rank of world economies.”

Kemp Mill Civic Association Welcomes Councilmember Trachtenberg

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg was welcomed by members of the Kemp Mill Civic Association at their regular meeting held at the Kemp Mill Elementary School.

Councilmember Trachtenberg briefed the Association members on developments regarding Montgomery County’s economic and fiscal situation, noting recent proposals from the County Executive regarding the FY11 Operating Budget.

In the question and answer session, Association members asked about snow removal operations, leaf collection practices, the Kemp Mill paving project, the Costco projects, enforcement of code violations, payment practices at the Housing Opportunities Commission, teacher pensions, and how to keep and attract business in Montgomery County. Our Chief of Staff, Alan Bowser, attended the meeting with Councilmember Trachtenberg.

Councilmember Trachtenberg Supports Establishment of Montgomery Business Development Corporation

The Trachtenberg Office joined Montgomery County Council President Nancy Floreen, members of the County Council, representatives of County Executive Isiah Leggett and the leaders of some of the most prominent businesses located in the Washington area to announce a proposal to form a new Montgomery Business Development Corporation (MBDC) that will have the County’s Department of Economic Development join with private businesses to promote business development in the County.

The announcement of the County Council bill authorizing formation of the MBDC was made in the lobby of Discovery Communications World Headquarters at One Discovery Place in Silver Spring. Discovery, whose 100-plus worldwide networks include the Discovery Channel, TLC and Animal Planet, and Marriott Corporation, which is headquartered in Bethesda, are among the businesses that have pledged to be involved in the MBDC to help attract businesses of various interests and sizes to join them in Montgomery County.

“I am pleased to support the proposal for a Montgomery Business Development Corporation,” said Councilmember Trachtenberg. “I believe that, working closely and collaboratively together with the private sector, we can create a more dynamic and sustainable business and economic environment that will ensure a prosperous future in Montgomery County. Our long-term vision for the County must include plans for increasing employment and revenues, while reducing the barriers to business formation and growth. The MBDC can be an important cornerstone for restoring our County’s regional business leadership."

The bill calls for the MBDC to have a board of directors of no more than 11 members—including one volunteer officer of a Chamber of Commerce in the County. Appointees would be recommended by the County Executive, subject to confirmation by the Council. In addition, the County’s director of the Department of Economic Development, the superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools (or a deputy superintendent assigned by the superintendent) and the chair of the County Planning Board (or the planning director assigned by the chair) would serve as ex-officio non-voting members. All voting members must either be a County resident or employed in the senior management of a company that has a significant presence in the County. Up to eight board members would represent “major” companies. One board position would be reserved for an owner of a small business and another position would be for the owner or officer of a “medium-sized” business.

Our Chief of Staff, Alan Bowser, represented Councilmember Trachtenberg at this morning’s announcement.

Appreciation: East County Citizens Advisory Board

I was very pleased to have had the opportunity to attend the monthly meeting of the East County Citizens Advisory Board last night. I was warmly welcomed by some old friends and I made some new ones.

I thought that we had a very thoughtful and, for me, a very useful discussion of many issues related to Eastern Montgomery County. We talked about the budget crisis facing the County, public safety issues, education funding and maintaining a safety net for the County’s most vulnerable residents.

Most prominently, we talked about giving more attention to economic development issues in the East County. I agreed with Board members that both the Executive Branch and the County Council could do—and should do—more to both promote new development and job creation in the area and to enhance community engagement around these issues.

I learned a lot from the conversation last night, as I do from all of the meetings that I have with residents across the County. I believe that the County’s Citizens Advisory Boards are a critically important part of the community engagement that makes Montgomery County great.

Many thanks to Board Chair Bill Strassburger and the ECCAB members for their hospitality and their service to our community.

$2 Million Infusion to County’s Small Business Revolving Loan Fund

County Executive Ike Leggett yesterday announced a $2 million infusion to the County's Small Business Revolving Loan Fund (SBRLF). The $2 million infusion brings the SBRLF balance to over $2.4 million for FY11. Montgomery County is home to over 25,000 business establishments with 50 or fewer employees, including advanced technology company XFI of Bethesda, where yesterday’s event was held.

The County’s SBRLF was established in 2002 as part of the Montgomery County Economic Development Fund Grant and Loan Program (EDF) and is managed by the Department of Economic Development (DED). Since inception, more than $1.883 million in SBRLF loans have been distributed to 30 county businesses, many of which are minority owned.

Ali Ghaed, CEO and President of XFI, expressed his gratitude to the County Executive as well as the County Council for their support of small local businesses in Montgomery County. Founded in 1996, XFI spent years in the development of a break-through technology called Xference® that transforms the way companies sell, service, and compete. For more information on XFI, go to http://www.xfi.com/.

Legislative Aide Laurie Edberg represented the Trachtenberg Office.

Councilmember Trachtenberg Attends Town Hall Meeting on Gaithersburg West Master Plan

Councilmember Trachtenberg attended last night’s Town Hall Meeting on the Gaithersburg West Master Plan held at the Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The meeting was organized by the North Potomac Citizens Association. Councilmember Trachtenberg was joined by her colleagues, Council President Nancy Floreen, and Councilmembers Marc Elrich and George Leventhal. Before remarks by the Councilmembers, there were presentations by Dan Drazan, President, North Potomac Citizens Association; Donna Baron, Gaithersburg-North Potomac Rockville Coalition; Bragi Valgeirsson, North Potomac; Tim Newell, a representative of the Banks Family; and Pamela Lindstrom, Montgomery County Chapter of the Sierra Club/Residents for Reasonable Development. Councilmember Trachtenberg was accompanied by staffers Alan Bowser, Naomi Bloch and Emily Hoopes.

In her remarks to the Town Hall meeting, Councilmember Trachtenberg outlined her review objectives for master plans proposed by the County’s Planning Board. She spoke of the need to balance the growth the County needs with the quality of life that resident’s want, and the importance of respecting established neighborhoods. She acknowledged the many questions and concerns that had been raised with regard to the Planning Board’s proposal, especially those related to transportation infrastructure, the economic projections, the housing-jobs balance, and the environmental and health impact of new development in the Plan area. She also noted that there were significant differences between the plans proposed for Gaithersburg West and the White Flint Area, notably the differences in the existing transit infrastructure and the nature of the community dialogue process.

Councilmember Trachtenberg emphasized that the County Council was not near a final decision on the Gaithersburg West Plan, and that the PHED Committee was only in the very early stages of reviewing the proposal presented by the Planning Board. She encouraged community members to continue contacting her office with their questions, issues, and concerns about the process. Interested individuals can contact the Trachtenberg Office at councilmember.trachtenberg@montgomerycountymd.gov; the telephone number is 24-777-7964.

For more information on the North Potomac Citizens Association, please visit http://www.northpotomacnews.org/.

Trachtenberg Office Attends Ceremony for Biotech Cooperation

The aftermath of the recent record-breaking storms has produced more than mountains of snow. As anyone who has driven or ridden on area roads recently can attest -- pothole season is here. The conditions have been ideal for forming potholes – freezing temperatures at night, above freezing temperatures during the day and plenty of water from melting snow to seep into minute road surface cracks. As this daily freeze-thaw cycle expands and contracts pavement, the potholes are created.

Residents can report potholes either on the county’s website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/potholes or call Highway Services at 240-777-6000. It is helpful to provide as precise a location as possible, including the nearest street address or cross street.

Residents are reminded that numbered roads in the County, such as Rockville Pike, Route 355 or Georgia Avenue, Route 97, are maintained by the State Highway Administration (SHA). Report potholes to SHA at www.roads.maryland.gov, and then click on “Report Litter or Pothole.”

Trachtenberg Office Follows Land Use Issues

Councilmember Trachtenberg attended that the County Council’s recent work session on the establishment of a Commercial/Residential (CR) Zone. The CR zone is for mixed use development with respect to a blend of commercial and residential/non residential development. One of the goals of the CR zone is to create walkable communities as well as healthier lifestyles. Councilmember Trachtenberg requested specific language with respect to health and well being in a CR zone. A vote is scheduled for next Tuesday, February 23rd. Legislative Aide Laurie Edberg attended the work session.

Staff from the Trachtenberg Office also attended the Planning, Housing, and Economic Development (PHED) Committee’s meeting his week on staging for the White Flint Sector Plan. It was the Committee's seventh work session on the White Flint Sector Plan. The staging plan is guided by four principles: coordinating development with public infrastructure; promoting a sense of place; promoting balance; and ensuring fiscal responsibility. Representatives from the Planning Board had an opportunity to discuss the staging process. Legislative Aide Laurie Edberg attended the committee meeting.

Development Oversight Press Conference Video

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg hosted a press event yesterday to discuss newly introduced legislation to require the Montgomery County Executive to designate an official to coordinate developments regarding new master-planned development. Representatives from the civic, development and business community joined Councilmember Trachtenberg to discuss the proposed legislation.

Click here to see the video of the press conference.

Statement of Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg at the Press Event for Development Oversight

Statement of Montgomery County Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg

January 20, 2010

Yesterday morning, I joined with my colleagues—Councilmembers Mike Knapp, Phil Andrew, and Roger Berliner—to introduce a bill that will require important oversight of our County’s future development efforts.

Our bill requires that 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.

With this legislation, we can provide all of the stakeholders in the development process—neighbors, taxpayers, labor, business owners, the development community, and County officials—with the assurances that our critically important development efforts will move forward, efficiently, effectively, expediously, and at reasonable cost to our County.

With this legislation, we can bring much needed oversight and coordination to the complex development process—something that I think we can all agreed is welcome and needed.

I am particularly proud of the coalition of stakeholders who are present with me today.

The business community is represented so ably by many, many individuals and groups. While our legislation would apply to all future master-planned development in the County, I want to particularly acknowledge the work of the White Flint Partnership with regard to the discussions regarding the White Flint Sector Plan. I commend their hard work and their outreach to the community.

The civic community is well represented today by the Friends of White Flint and leading civic organizations. I have benefited from many conversations with our very well informed neighbors and have attended many meetings where important development issues have been discussed and debated. I thank them as well for their interest in these matters and their support.

And, I am particularly proud of the support that this concept has received from working men and women. Mr. Vance Ayers, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Washington, D.C. Building and Construction Trades Council, is here with us today—heralding a valuable and “constructive” new partnership with all of the individuals and groups who are interested in the development of new walkable urban environments that will provide housing, new businesses, jobs, access to transit, and attractive public amenities.

I look forward to our future conversations about economic development and growth, the coordination of our development efforts, and the financing of infrastructure, among others.

This is the beginning of an important discussion, not the end of it. I am confident that, at the end of the day, we will forge an impressive and important partnership between all of these stakeholders that will work in the best interests of Montgomery County.

###

For more information, contact Alan S. Bowser, Office of Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, 240-777-7965.

Statement by Francine Waters at the Press Event for Development Oversight Legislation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Craig Sutherland
(813) 787-0525

January 20, 2010

Statement by Francine Waters on Behalf of
Lerner Enterprises and the White Flint Partnership

"The White Flint Partnership, a unique collaboration of property owners in the White Flint area of Bethesda, released the following statement today in support of legislation introduced by County Councilmembers Duchy Trachtenberg and Mike Knapp to advance infrastructure improvements as part of a new White Flint Sector Plan.

“In a time of severe economic uncertainty, the redevelopment of the White Flint area has the potential to create almost 8 million square feet of net new office and retail space. This would become home to as many as 30,000 new workers in well-paying jobs, as well as entry level service jobs, all within walking distance of the existing Metro station.

“It will require bold action to transform the current hodge-podge of retail sprawl with $500M of targeted infrastructure improvements --10 new East/West roads and 6 new North/ South roads creating a new network grid of streets, dedicated bike lanes, dedicated transit way all to make a new livable, walkable and safe White Flint community.

“That degree of public and private investment requires a dedicated senior-level official to ensure that the infrastructure planning, funding and construction are well coordinated with open lines of communication within the community. This oversight will give residents and property owners alike the security to invest in a new White Flint community.

“We applaud Councilmembers Trachtenberg and Knapp for their efforts to move the residents of a New White Flint closer to the development of a community that residents, and the whole county, can be proud to call our own.”

Statement of Friends of White Flint at the Press Event for Development Oversight

Friends of White Flint
Promoting a Sustainable, Walkable, and Engaging Community

P.O. Box 2222, White Flint Station, Kensington, MD 20891-2222 301-984-1200
http://www.whiteflint.org/
Contact: Barnaby Zall 301-231-6943

Immediate Release

Statement on the Introduction of Legislation to Coordinate and Expedite the Implementation of the White Flint Sector Plan

January 20, 2010

In the four-year development of the White Flint Sector Plan, Friends of White Flint and other organizations held hundreds of meetings with thousands of Montgomery County residents. Most people agree with the vision for a transit-oriented, sustainable, walkable White Flint. But there was some opposition; what was surprising was the nature of that opposition.

Why did people oppose the White Flint Plan? It wasn’t, as we predicted, because we were proposing a new kind of urban model – transit-oriented, walkable, sustainable.

Much of the opposition to the White Flint Plan sprang from fear that Montgomery County would not follow-through on its promises. The 1992 North Bethesda-Garrett Park Master Plan, for example, promised transit-oriented development. But what it produced was . . . Rockville Pike today.

Today County Councilmembers Duchy Trachtenberg and Mike Knapp will introduce legislation to resolve that problem. The bill would designate a county employee to coordinate the financing and development of County infrastructure in White Flint, advise the County and State about “any action needed to expedite the financing and development of County infrastructure,” “serve as primary point of contact for residents and businesses,” and “take or recommend any other action needed to assure that County infrastructure keeps pace with private development.” There would be one person with the responsibility for infrastructure, and the accessibility for residents and businesses (who often get lost in the shuffle of complicated planning processes).

Accountability, accessibility, action. A good prescription. Would it be a guarantee of success? No, but it’s a good start, and it’s precisely what’s needed to resolve many peoples’ concerns.

A confidence booster. Because a lack of confidence is generating a lot of the opposition to the White Flint Plan. So something that boosts confidence in the likelihood of success will go far in resolving fears about the White Flint Plan.

At its meeting on January 14, the Board of Directors of Friends of White Flint voted to endorse the Trachtenberg/Knapp bill.

Friends of White Flint is a non-profit corporation promoting a sustainable, walkable and engaging community in White Flint. Its Board is divided evenly between residents, businesses and property owners. http://www.whiteflint.org/.

Development Oversight Director Proposed For Future Montgomery County Projects

Montgomery County Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, chair of the Council’s Management and Fiscal Policy Committee, joined residents and members of the development community on Wednesday, Jan. 20, at the Council Office Building in Rockville to detail plans of proposed legislation that would create a new County position to oversee future development projects and ensure that plans are followed as envisioned. Councilmember Mike Knapp, chair of the Planning, Housing and Economic Committee, is a co-sponsor of the legislation.

Bill 1-10 was introduced before the Council at its meeting of Tuesday, Jan. 19. The bill 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.

For the complete press release, click here.

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.

First Baptist Church of Silver Spring – Proposed Mixed Used Development

The Trachtenberg Office attended a community meeting on the First Baptist Church of Silver Springs’ proposed mixed-used development on its Silver Spring property. The Church, which was established in 1924, is an important Silver Spring community center.

Members of local civic associations, homeowner associations, and adjacent and confronting property owners were invited to be briefed on the Church’s plans to redevelop its existing property on Wayne Avenue, Fenton Street and Bonifant Street in Silver Spring. This was a pre-submittal meeting on the Project Plan and the Preliminary Plan for 8415 Fenton Street, Silver Spring. The plan which would retain the First Baptist Church on the site, includes retail use, residential use and public space. Community members asked questions about possible retail uses, the number and type of dwelling units, historic preservation, Fenton Village, neighborhood impacts, and compatibility.

Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

The Trachtenberg Office was well represented at the Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce‘s Holiday Event at Guapo’s Mexican Restaurant in Bethesda. Staff members Alan Bowser, Naomi Bloch and Wil Gutierrez enjoyed talking and networking with representatives of the County’s Hispanic business community. Among the firms attending the event were FEEP Corp, Rill Architects, Creative Guys USA, C Accounting Solutions Inc., Open Global Marketing, Liberty Power, Landscape by Today Inc., and Sandglass.

The Trachtenberg Office attends Press Conference of the Montgomery County Biosciences Task Force

The Trachtenberg Office was represented at today’s Press Conference on the release of the Montgomery County Biosciences Task Force’s Report entitled “Biosciences Strategy: Montgomery County’s Strategy for Developing a World-Renown Life Sciences Industry." The Report was presented to Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, by the Task Force Chiar David Mott, at the Shady Grove Innovation Center.

As part of a series of aggressive initiatives to strengthen and grow the County’s vital bioscience community and preserve its role as a local and regional economic engine, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, working in conjunction with the County’s Department of Economic Development (DED), brought together in 2008 the best and brightest from throughout the biotech industry to serve on the new Montgomery County Biosciences Task Force. The Task Force has 34 members.

The Task Force identified a number of opportunities and challenges facing Montgomery County’s biosciences industry and has recommended the following to the County in it's December 2009 Report:

1) Enhance the environment for entrepreneurship and the creation of new life science companies. For example, create public-private partnerships that combine the capital resources of top venture capital firms with managers, scientists and entrepreneurs.

2) Catalyze greater technology transfer and commercialization and leverage Montgomery County’s federal and academic assets more effectively. For example, work with the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University and other regional academic research institutions to facilitate greater licensing and commercialization of their research discoveries and technologies.

3) Foster a more enabling financial, regulatory and business environment. One strategy is to pass county enabling legislation to create a Montgomery County specific biotech investment tax credit by summer 2010.

4) Enhance bioscience educational opportunities and expand the higher education presence in the County to build a robust biosciences workforce. This can be achieved by supporting partnerships between Montgomery College, other higher education institutions, industry and Montgomery County Public Schools to support science, technology, engineering and math curriculum development.

5) Market the county’s bioscience sector nationally and internationally by partnering up with the Maryland Biotechnology Center to create a high-profile marketing effort that goes along well with the state’s BioMaryland branding and global marketing campaign.

For more information:
December 2009 Task Force Report (12-10-09)
Montgomery County Biosciences Task Force Home Page
Montgomery County Press Release
Washington Business Journal Article (12-10-09)