New Planning Board Member Application Deadline April 17

The Montgomery County Council is seeking applicants to fill a vacancy on the Montgomery County Planning Board. The term of Marye Wells-Harley (Democrat) will expire on June 14, 2013. Ms. Wells-Harley has indicated her intent to apply for reappointment to a second term.

Letters expressing interest in serving on the Montgomery County Planning Boar, must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17.

No more than three members of the Planning Board may be from the same political party, and all members must be residents and registered voters of Montgomery County when appointed. Members serve four-year terms and are limited to two full terms. Since two Democrats and two Republicans are currently serving on the Board, this position can be filled by a Republican, a Democrat, or by a voter who declines to affiliate with a party; or by a member of another party officially recognized by the Montgomery County Board of Elections. In addition to Ms. Wells-Harley, the current board members are Chair Francoise Carrier (D); Casey Anderson (D) Norman Dreyfuss (R) and Amy Presley (R).

Annual compensation for board members is currently $30,000.

The Planning Board serves as the Council’s principal adviser on land use planning and community planning. Planning Board members 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 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 Ordinance; implementation of the subdivision process by reviewing and approving all preliminary plans, site plans and other plans for development; advice on the planning implication 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) budget; land acquisition contracts and major development contracts for parks; development plans for individual park facilities; policies for park operations; and park user fees.

The Montgomery County Planning Board meets all day, and typically evenings, every Thursday and occasionally meets on one other evening a week. The entire Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission meets the third Wednesday of every month. Additionally, substantial time is required for scheduled and informal meetings, preparatory work, and other activities related to Planning Board responsibilities.

Letters expressing interest, including a resume listing professional and civic experience, political party affiliation, home and office telephone numbers and an e-mail address, should be addressed to: Council President Nancy Navarro, County Council Office, 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, Md., 20850, or can be e-mailed to county.council@montgomerycountymd.gov. Letters must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17. 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 in May.

Letters of application are made public as part of the appointment process. The names of all applicants are published and available for public review and interviews are conducted in public. A financial statement of assets, debts, income and family property interests will be required of all applicants. Only the candidates appointed will be required to make their financial statements available to the public.

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