For Immediate Release: Monday, February 25, 2019
Deadline for Applications Is Wednesday, April 24, at 5 p.m.
ROCKVILLE, Md., February 25, 2019 — The Montgomery County Council is seeking applicants to fill two vacancies on the Montgomery County Planning Board. The second terms of Chair Casey Anderson (Democrat), and Norman Dreyfuss (Republican) expire on June 14, 2019. Mr. Anderson is eligible to reapply as Chair (per Section 15-102 of Land Use Article of Maryland Code) and has indicated his intent to do so. Mr. Dreyfuss is not eligible to reapply.
Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24, 2019.
No more than three members of the Planning Board may be from the same political party, and each member must be a resident and registered voter of Montgomery County when appointed. Members serve four-year terms and are limited to two full terms, except when applying for a 3rd term as Chair. The positions can be filled by a Democrat, a Republican, a voter who declines to affiliate with a party or a member of another party officially recognized by the Montgomery County Board of Elections. Current Boardmembers are Casey Anderson (Dem), Chair; Norman Dreyfuss (Rep); Natali Fani-Gonzalez (Dem); Gerald Cichy (Rep); and Tina Patterson (Unaffiliated). Annual compensation for Boardmembers is currently $30,000, and the Chair currently earns $207,262. The Council expects to set the salary for the Chair prior to the appointment.
The Planning Board serves as the Council’s principal adviser on land use planning and community planning. Planning Boardmembers also serve as commissioners of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.
The Planning Board’s responsibilities with regard to planning include preparation and amendment of the County General Plan; preparation and amendment of master plans and functional plans; formulation of subdivision regulations; preparation of or recommendations on text amendments to the County Zoning Code; implementation of the subdivision process by reviewing and approving all preliminary plans, site plans and other plans for development; advice on the planning implications of capital facilities and programs of the County government, Montgomery College, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission and Montgomery County Public Schools; commenting, under its mandatory referral authority, on plans for public facilities of local, state and federal agencies; and approval of the work program and the annual operating budget for the Planning Department and the Commission’s bi-county offices.
The Planning Board sits as the Park Commission and approves the annual Parks Department operating budget and Capital Improvements Program (CIP); land acquisition contracts and major development contracts for parks; development plans for individual park facilities; policies for park operations; and park user fees.
The Planning Board meets all day, including into the evening, every Thursday and will schedule other meetings, as needed. The entire Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission meets the third Wednesday of every month. On average, a Planning Boardmember may spend two full days a week in scheduled and informal meetings. Additionally, substantial time is required for preparatory work and other activities related to Planning Board responsibilities.
Applicants should submit a letter of interest and resume (no more than 4 pages) listing professional and civic experience to:
county.council@montgomerycountymd.gov or by mail to Council President Nancy Navarro, Stella B. Werner Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20850.
Letters of application must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24. It is the Council’s policy not to consider applications received after the deadline. After the closing date, Councilmembers will review the letters of application and select applicants for interviews to be held soon thereafter.
Letters of application and resumes are made public as part of the appointment process and are available for public review. The interviews are conducted in public and will be televised. A financial disclosure statement of assets, debts, income and family property interests will be required to be filed by each applicant. Only the ultimate appointee will be required to make the financial disclosure statement available to the public.
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Release ID: 19-067