Councilmember Trachtenberg met today with the Mayors of Rockville and Gaithersburg to discuss aspects of the Gaithersburg West Master Plan.
Rockville Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio was joined at the meeting by Councilmember Bridget Donnell Newton and members of the City’s planning staff. Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney A. Katz was joined by Council Vice President Cathy C. Drzyzgula, and Angel Jones, City Manager as well as other representatives of the Gaithersburg municipal government.
In the meeting, the Mayors discussed a range of key issues of concern to residents, including proposed density in the plan area, transportation and traffic concerns, economic forecasts, connectivity between neighborhoods and the proposed mixed-use development; the impact of the Gaithersburg West development on the Rockville and Gaithersburg municipalities, staging, development oversight, and general quality of life issues.
Councilmember Trachtenberg reiterated her view that the proposed plan must appropriately balance the development that the County needs with the quality of life that County residents need. She discussed her legislative proposal, currently before the Council, that the County should designate an individual or individuals who would have oversight responsibility for coordinating development and staging in master planned areas, like White Flint and Gaithersburg West.
She added that it was important for the municipalities to continue to consult closely with members of the County Council and Planning Board staff to refine the proposal so that it met the broad community’s expectation about development, traffic, transit, housing, and environmental sustainability.
The Gaithersburg West Master Plan is currently being discussed by the County Council’s Committee on Planning, Housing & Economic Development (PHED), and will be considered by the full Council later this Spring.
The Plan is a 21st-century blueprint for the Shady Grove Life Sciences Center (LSC), home to a major hospital, academic institutions, and private biotechnology companies.
The objective of the Plan is to turn the now sprawling, single-use, auto-oriented area into a vibrant, dynamic, and walkable district with a physical form that is as inspiring as the discoveries that are going on inside the labs and classrooms throughout the area.
The Gaithersburg West Master Plan: Summary | Draft
Trachtenberg staff members Alan Bowser, Emily Hoopes, and Naomi Bloch also attended the meeting.
Showing posts with label Gaithersburg West. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gaithersburg West. Show all posts
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Statement of Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg at the North Potomac Citizens Association Meeting on Gaithersburg West
Quince Orchard High School
Gaithersburg, Maryland
March 9, 2010
First, I would like to thank Dan Drazan, President of the North Potomac Citizens Association, and all the neighbors of the surrounding community, for organizing this important meeting on the Gaithersburg West Master Plan. It is a pleasure to be here with you and my colleagues on the County Council.
Let me say at the outset what my goals are for the Gaithersburg West Plan, in addition to all the other master and sector plans that come before the Council. I believe that we must balance the growth the County needs with the quality of life that we all as residents desire—the word “balance” is very important. I also believe that we need to respect established neighborhoods. At the same time, I believe that we need to prepare a sustainable economic foundation for the future, because we need jobs for our residents, and we need revenue for our County’s growing fiscal responsibilities.
As many of you know, I have had several discussions with civic groups, property owners, planning staff, Council colleagues, the County Executive, and my Council staff. We have received your telephone calls, and read your emails and your letters. We have had a public hearing on the Gaithersburg West plan. We have met with the Mayors and City Councils of Gaithersburg and Rockville; and, this week, I have asked my staff to set up additional meetings with the Mayors to continue the important dialogue regarding this development proposal.
I can assure you that I know there are many questions and concerns about this plan. Just a few of those inquiries expressed in your correspondence and in our discussions have been about the pending transportation infrastructure and how it will be paid for; questions about the economic projections; questions about the environmental and health impact of new development in the Plan area; questions about the types of jobs of that will evolve in the plan area; and questions about the distribution of jobs and housing between the master plan area and other parts of the County. Of course, there are the critical concerns about the amount of density to be permitted under the Plan, and the impact on your neighborhoods.
If the Council eventually concludes that the proposal has recommended too much density for the Plan area, and that the impact on the neighboring communities is too adverse, then we will need to evaluate how to “scale it back.”
As the Chair of the Council’s Management and Fiscal Policy Committee, I have great interest in how we pay for this development, with the long-range view that it must be an appropriate investment in the County’s future.
While the Gaithersburg West proposal is just one of several master plans that the County Council will consider during this term—it is one of the largest and most complex. It’s useful to compare this proposal to the plan that the Council has been considering for the White Flint area. There are important differences that I’ve observed which must be kept in mind. The first difference is the combination of existing uses in the area. The second is the existing transit infrastructure in the area. The third unique difference is that of the community dialogue on the plan and the plan process. In White Flint, we had good cooperation between the civic community and the business community; with this plan, this process has been much more contentious.
My responsibility as one of your at-Large Councilmembers is to listen to all stakeholders, ask relevant questions, review the materials before me prepared by the Council Committees and others, and to make a judgment which will achieve objectives in the best interest of the County and its residents.
I’d like to reiterate what my colleagues have said and what you know. We are not near a final decision on the Gaithersburg West Plan. The PHED Committee is only in the very early stages of reviewing the proposal forwarded by the Planning Board. I will be paying close attention to their work; and I have also assigned two of my staff members to monitor this process. I can tell you with great conviction that I will be looking carefully at the transportation plan, the underlying economic projections, its impact of the community’s health and environment, and how the plan will be paid for.
Please continue to contact my office with your input into this process. My email is councilmember.trachtenberg@montgomerycountymd.gov and our telephone number is 240-777-7964.
Gaithersburg, Maryland
March 9, 2010
First, I would like to thank Dan Drazan, President of the North Potomac Citizens Association, and all the neighbors of the surrounding community, for organizing this important meeting on the Gaithersburg West Master Plan. It is a pleasure to be here with you and my colleagues on the County Council.
Let me say at the outset what my goals are for the Gaithersburg West Plan, in addition to all the other master and sector plans that come before the Council. I believe that we must balance the growth the County needs with the quality of life that we all as residents desire—the word “balance” is very important. I also believe that we need to respect established neighborhoods. At the same time, I believe that we need to prepare a sustainable economic foundation for the future, because we need jobs for our residents, and we need revenue for our County’s growing fiscal responsibilities.
As many of you know, I have had several discussions with civic groups, property owners, planning staff, Council colleagues, the County Executive, and my Council staff. We have received your telephone calls, and read your emails and your letters. We have had a public hearing on the Gaithersburg West plan. We have met with the Mayors and City Councils of Gaithersburg and Rockville; and, this week, I have asked my staff to set up additional meetings with the Mayors to continue the important dialogue regarding this development proposal.
I can assure you that I know there are many questions and concerns about this plan. Just a few of those inquiries expressed in your correspondence and in our discussions have been about the pending transportation infrastructure and how it will be paid for; questions about the economic projections; questions about the environmental and health impact of new development in the Plan area; questions about the types of jobs of that will evolve in the plan area; and questions about the distribution of jobs and housing between the master plan area and other parts of the County. Of course, there are the critical concerns about the amount of density to be permitted under the Plan, and the impact on your neighborhoods.
If the Council eventually concludes that the proposal has recommended too much density for the Plan area, and that the impact on the neighboring communities is too adverse, then we will need to evaluate how to “scale it back.”
As the Chair of the Council’s Management and Fiscal Policy Committee, I have great interest in how we pay for this development, with the long-range view that it must be an appropriate investment in the County’s future.
While the Gaithersburg West proposal is just one of several master plans that the County Council will consider during this term—it is one of the largest and most complex. It’s useful to compare this proposal to the plan that the Council has been considering for the White Flint area. There are important differences that I’ve observed which must be kept in mind. The first difference is the combination of existing uses in the area. The second is the existing transit infrastructure in the area. The third unique difference is that of the community dialogue on the plan and the plan process. In White Flint, we had good cooperation between the civic community and the business community; with this plan, this process has been much more contentious.
My responsibility as one of your at-Large Councilmembers is to listen to all stakeholders, ask relevant questions, review the materials before me prepared by the Council Committees and others, and to make a judgment which will achieve objectives in the best interest of the County and its residents.
I’d like to reiterate what my colleagues have said and what you know. We are not near a final decision on the Gaithersburg West Plan. The PHED Committee is only in the very early stages of reviewing the proposal forwarded by the Planning Board. I will be paying close attention to their work; and I have also assigned two of my staff members to monitor this process. I can tell you with great conviction that I will be looking carefully at the transportation plan, the underlying economic projections, its impact of the community’s health and environment, and how the plan will be paid for.
Please continue to contact my office with your input into this process. My email is councilmember.trachtenberg@montgomerycountymd.gov and our telephone number is 240-777-7964.
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/.
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/.
Friday, February 19, 2010
February 2010 Newsletter
Click here to view my February 2010 Newsletter.
Topics in this issue, include:
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Montgomery Council Retains Ride On Bus Routes in Approving $70 Million Savings Plan
Reproductive Health Services Report
Crisis Pregnancy Center Regulation
Disability and Veteran Hiring Bill
White Flint + Gaithersburg West Master Plan Updates
Youth Town Hall
In the News
Duchy in the Community
Census 2010
Alert Montgomery
The Family Justice Center
Duchy's Recipe
Stay in Touch
Trachtenberg Staff News
Duchy's Pledge
Topics in this issue, include:
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Montgomery Council Retains Ride On Bus Routes in Approving $70 Million Savings Plan
Reproductive Health Services Report
Crisis Pregnancy Center Regulation
Disability and Veteran Hiring Bill
White Flint + Gaithersburg West Master Plan Updates
Youth Town Hall
In the News
Duchy in the Community
Census 2010
Alert Montgomery
The Family Justice Center
Duchy's Recipe
Stay in Touch
Trachtenberg Staff News
Duchy's Pledge
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Youth Town Hall Meeting a Great Success!
On Wednesday, February 3, High School and Middle School students from across the County were able to express views on a vast amount of issues and ask questions of County Council Councilmembers. Over 400 students attended the meeting at the Council Office Building in Rockville.
Some of the issues raised at the Town Hall Meeting were
The meeting was open to high school and middle school students from around the County. The meeting allowed the participants to let Councilmembers know how they feel about specific issues and also provided the opportunity to ask questions of the Councilmembers in an organized, but informal, setting.
Participants also had the opportunity to speak with Councilmembers at a reception before the meeting. Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg and her colleagues also stayed after the meeting to converse with parents and students.
The meeting was broadcasted live on County Cable Montgomery (CCM) and will rebroadcast at various times in the following weeks on Channel 6 or 30. The program was also broadcasted live on simulcast on Network partners at Montgomery County Public Schools and Montgomery College. Susan Kennedy, a producer for the county station, moderated the meeting.
Watch the Youth Town Hall Meeting online.
The County Council, which for the past several years has held Town Hall Meetings throughout the County in its efforts to find out what issues most concern residents, learned yesterday what is on the mind of younger residents when it hosted its first-ever Town Hall Meeting for Students. This was the first Town Hall Meeting hosted by the Council in 2010.
Some of the issues raised at the Town Hall Meeting were
- County and school budget
- Maintenance of Effort
- Jobs
- Gaithersburg West Master Plan
- Wheaton redevelopment
- White Flint Master Plan
- Health care/insurance for people under the age of 18
- School safety
- College education
- Staying and living in Montgomery County
- Magnet schools
- Environmental issues
- After school programs
- Sports Academy
- Intervention and prevention programs
- Libraries
- Places/venues for young people
- Role models
- School-based services
- And many other topics
The meeting was open to high school and middle school students from around the County. The meeting allowed the participants to let Councilmembers know how they feel about specific issues and also provided the opportunity to ask questions of the Councilmembers in an organized, but informal, setting.
Participants also had the opportunity to speak with Councilmembers at a reception before the meeting. Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg and her colleagues also stayed after the meeting to converse with parents and students.
The meeting was broadcasted live on County Cable Montgomery (CCM) and will rebroadcast at various times in the following weeks on Channel 6 or 30. The program was also broadcasted live on simulcast on Network partners at Montgomery County Public Schools and Montgomery College. Susan Kennedy, a producer for the county station, moderated the meeting.
Watch the Youth Town Hall Meeting online.
Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg and some of the students at the Town Hall Meeting
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Residents call for large-scale development supervisor - Gazette
White Flint Sector Plan would be in crosshairs
by Jen Beasley - Staff Writer
Residents of the White Flint area are praising a proposal to create an overseer for the county's long-term development projects as a needed step toward accountability.
The bill, sponsored Jan. 19 by County Councilwoman Duchy Trachtenberg (D-At Large) of North Bethesda, would allow the county executive to designate a person in the executive's office to keep tabs on progress when sector plans — like the White Flint Sector Plan and the Gaithersburg-West Master Plan currently before the council — call for large-scale development. The overseer would monitor financing and infrastructure development in such areas.
Trachtenberg, who lives in White Flint, said problems that arose when development in Clarksburg happened slowly and off-track from the way it was planned, coupled with concerns from her neighbors about accountability, led her to introduce the legislation.
"I know from comments from my neighbors they have questions about who is going to be in charge, and how do we know that the money will be there," Trachtenberg said. "It gives people a sense of assurance."
To view the complete article in the Gazette, click here.
by Jen Beasley - Staff Writer
Residents of the White Flint area are praising a proposal to create an overseer for the county's long-term development projects as a needed step toward accountability.
The bill, sponsored Jan. 19 by County Councilwoman Duchy Trachtenberg (D-At Large) of North Bethesda, would allow the county executive to designate a person in the executive's office to keep tabs on progress when sector plans — like the White Flint Sector Plan and the Gaithersburg-West Master Plan currently before the council — call for large-scale development. The overseer would monitor financing and infrastructure development in such areas.
Trachtenberg, who lives in White Flint, said problems that arose when development in Clarksburg happened slowly and off-track from the way it was planned, coupled with concerns from her neighbors about accountability, led her to introduce the legislation.
"I know from comments from my neighbors they have questions about who is going to be in charge, and how do we know that the money will be there," Trachtenberg said. "It gives people a sense of assurance."
To view the complete article in the Gazette, click here.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
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.
Click here to see the video of the press conference.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Duchy Trachtenberg Holds Press Event for Development Oversight Legislation
Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg (At-Large) hosted a press event today 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.
“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,” said Trachtenberg. "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.”
Attending today’s press event were: Duchy Trachtenberg, Montgomery County Councilmember; Rollin Stanley, Director, Montgomery County Planning Department Paul Meyer, Friends of White Flint; Rod Lawrence, representing JBG Companies and the White Flint Partnership; Suzanne Hudson, a Garrett Park resident; Francine Waters, representing the Lerner Companies and the White Flint Partnership; Barnaby Zall, representing Friends of White Flint; Ed Rich, a resident of Old Farm; Vance Ayres, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Washington, DC Building and Construction Trades Council; Dan Hoffman, Randolph Civic Association; Della Stollsworth, Luxmanor Civic Association
The press event was broadcast live on County Cable Montgomery (CCM).
Attending the event on behalf of Councilmember Trachtenberg were Naomi Bloch, Laurie Edberg, Wil Gutierrez and Chief of Staff Alan Bowser.
Click here for the County Council Press Release.
“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,” said Trachtenberg. "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.”
Attending today’s press event were: Duchy Trachtenberg, Montgomery County Councilmember; Rollin Stanley, Director, Montgomery County Planning Department Paul Meyer, Friends of White Flint; Rod Lawrence, representing JBG Companies and the White Flint Partnership; Suzanne Hudson, a Garrett Park resident; Francine Waters, representing the Lerner Companies and the White Flint Partnership; Barnaby Zall, representing Friends of White Flint; Ed Rich, a resident of Old Farm; Vance Ayres, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Washington, DC Building and Construction Trades Council; Dan Hoffman, Randolph Civic Association; Della Stollsworth, Luxmanor Civic Association
The press event was broadcast live on County Cable Montgomery (CCM).
Attending the event on behalf of Councilmember Trachtenberg were Naomi Bloch, Laurie Edberg, Wil Gutierrez and Chief of Staff Alan Bowser.
Click here for the County Council Press Release.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Statement of Vance T. Ayers, Washington, DC Building and Construction Trades Council, at the Press Event for Development Oversight Legislation
Vance T. Ayers
Executive Secretary-Treasurer
January 20, 2010
I am delighted to be here today, with Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, and representatives of the development community, the business community and the civic community.
On behalf of the thousands of members of the Washington DC Building Trades Council, I want to say that we are impressed with the forward-thinking that this proposed legislation represents.
Like others, we believe that coordinated planning and oversight of proposed new development in Montgomery County will have a myriad of positive developments for the community, business and labor.
New development, properly planned and supervised, means good jobs for thousands of working men and women.
Of course, we are particularly interested in the good construction jobs for our members that will be created as the new White Flint takes shape.
We look forward to join with all of the County’s stakeholders to help build new, exciting, environmentally friendly livable communities.
For over 100 years, the Washington DC Building and Construction trade unions— elevator constructors, iron workers, painters, electrical workers, UA, insulators, sheet metal workers, among others—have been strong partners in this region’s growth.
It is our great hope and expectation that we will be strong partners for the next 100 year.
For more information about the Washington, DC Building and Construction Trades Council, click here.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Upcounty Citizens Advisory Board Meeting in Germantown
The Trachtenberg Office was represented last night at the Upcounty Citizens Advisory Board meeting that took place at the Up-County Regional Services Center in Germantown.
At the meeting, Advisory Board members discussed CIP Priorities, the Life Sciences/Gaithersburg West Master Plan, and Code Enforcement legislation, pending before the County Council.
The Upcounty Citizens Advisory Board meets monthly at the Upcounty Regional Services Center, located at 12900 Middlebrook Road, Suite 1000, in Germantown, Maryland
At the meeting, Advisory Board members discussed CIP Priorities, the Life Sciences/Gaithersburg West Master Plan, and Code Enforcement legislation, pending before the County Council.
The Upcounty Citizens Advisory Board meets monthly at the Upcounty Regional Services Center, located at 12900 Middlebrook Road, Suite 1000, in Germantown, Maryland
Monday, October 19, 2009
Councilmember Trachtenberg attends Gaithersburg Town Hall
October 7, 2009. Councilmember Duchy Trachtenber (D-At Large) attended the County Council Town Hall, held in Gaithersburg at the Universities of Maryland-Shady Grove Campus. She joined Council President Andrews, and Council members Roger Berliner, George Leventhal, Nancy Floreen, Marc Elrich and Mike Knapp for a discussion of issues, including the Gaithersburg West Master Plan.
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