Gaithersburg City Councilmember Ryan Spiegel testified at the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee Hearing on the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protect Act:
Good afternoon. My name is Ryan Spiegel and I am proud to serve as a member of the Gaithersburg City Council, representing 60,000 residents and hundreds of businesses. I am also on the executive board of the Montgomery County Chapter of the Maryland Municipal League, though I am testifying as an individual today.
I *support* marriage equality. As an attorney with extensive experience in civil rights law, I strongly endorse the lofty aspirations for justice and equality so eloquently conveyed by other witnesses today, so I won't repeat what they've said.
But as a municipal elected official for one of the largest cities in Maryland, I am here to offer a pragmatic perspective on our efforts to emerge from the global recession. Local leaders throughout the state have been focused like a laser on the economy, stretching the limits of our imagination to explore every possible avenue for creating jobs -- and maintaining and growing opportunity for local businesses large and small -- particularly as the state government has been forced to reduce aid to local jurisdictions.
Right now, because marriage equality is already in effect just down the road in the District of Columbia, countless dollars are being diverted away from Maryland, to Washington D.C.'s hotels, restaurants, ballrooms, flourists, caterers, tailors -- not to mention all the attorneys, accountants, financial planners, and others who provide services to couples after they are married. Right now, many of our businesses are losing a critical sector of clientele, and in the process, we are not preventing anyone who wants to get married from doing so. So many of our businesses are missing out on a tremendous opportunity, because of a legal roadblock that - years from now - will seem like an antiquated notion.
If you believe in giving the best free-market advantage to our state's businesses, then I respectfully urge you to support this bill, and to remove obstacles to our competitiveness -- even if you are not personally comfortable with the notion of LGBT marriage.
To be clear, I believe in my heart that passing this bill is the right thing to do from a moral and legal standpoint. But I am here today to underscore that it is also the right thing to do from an economic standpoint. Of course, this bill won't force any vendors to be available for LGBT weddings if they don't want to be, but we need to level the playing field for those Maryland businesses that do. It's just one more reason to support this bill.
I thank the chair and the committee for your consideration.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Ryan Spiegel on Marriage Equality
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Mike Knapp Awarded Contract by City of Gaithersburg
Last night, the City Council of Gaithersburg voted to approve a six-month contract with outgoing County Council Member Mike Knapp to develop a strategic plan for economic development and marketing.
According to the City Council resolution authorizing the contract:The City Strategic Plan establishes that we will actively pursue economic development programs and strategies. Based on input from the Mayor and Council, the business community, members of the public, and City staff, we are seeking to refine our strategy in the short-term by retaining a consulting firm to assist in the following general areas –
1. Business Outreach and Consultation
2. Policy Considerations
3. Economic Development Strategic Planning
4. Website Content Development
It is possible that the firm will also be involved in evaluation of finalists for the Economic Development Director position.
Mike Knapp has formed Orion Ventures as a vehicle for returning to his former career as a technology consultant and business development executive. He will be leaving the Montgomery County Council at the end of his current term. The proposal focuses on refining our economic development strategy, improving communication efforts with existing businesses and potential prospects, and establishing guidelines and criteria for evaluating economic development opportunities.
Staff believes Mr. Knapp possesses a unique combination of business development skills (including access to and contacts within the local business community) and local government leadership experience. As such, we are requesting that his proposal be treated as a sole source.
The base term of the contract is for six months (11/01/10 to 04/30/11). There is a provision for extension upon mutual agreement. The fee for services is $12,000 per month, plus expenses not to exceed $1,250 per month, for a base contract maximum of $79,500.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
City of Gaithersburg Writes PSC About Pepco
The Mayor and City Council of Gaithersburg have sent the following letter about Pepco to the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC).
August 5, 2010
Mr. Douglas R.M. Nazarian
Chairman
Maryland Public Service Commission
45 Calvert Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
Dear Mr. Chairman:
We are writing you today to request that the Public Service Commission investigate what we have been forced to conclude is the Potomac Electric Power Company’s inability to provide reliable electric service to our residents. As you know, the City of Gaithersburg has no direct legal authority over utility companies. We are relying on the PSC to review and act upon our concerns. While the fallout from the recent violent thunderstorms underscored this matter, our residents also experience persistent and unexplained outages on clear days with no valid explanation provided.
On Sunday, July 25, 2010 the region was hit by severe thunderstorms that passed directly through the City of Gaithersburg. As a result, thousands of PEPCO customers were without power for extensive periods of time, many for several days. Businesses suffered loss of revenues and homeowners incurred costs for perishable foods and medicines, hotel stays, etc. The apparent fragility of the system leaves our residents feeling vulnerable to unpredictable inconvenience and expense at the least and serious danger at the worst. This should not be the case in a place like Maryland, especially in the region that is home to our nation's capital. We can and must do much better.
PEPCO claims that a main reason for the widespread outages is the large tree canopy near most of the local power infrastructure. We cannot accept this explanation. Neighboring jurisdictions have extensive tree canopies as well and do not experience the same prolonged power outages. Still, we believe that a comprehensive review of tree management practices in feeder corridors is in order, as one piece of a larger response.
Another major concern is the lack of communication during the storm and its aftermath. At the most crucial time, immediately following the storm, PEPCO’s automated system was disabled. This is unacceptable. It is imperative that PEPCO have the capability to provide timely and accurate information to its customers and to coordinate this information with the local governments who represent them. The City has the ability to disseminate information in a variety of ways, but no one from PEPCO reached out to us proactively for assistance to inform our residents on the status of PEPCO’s efforts.
Local governments have refined their joint emergency management operations with agreements and procedures to address regional crises, which include regular emergency management conference calls between senior officials who have the knowledge and authority to make decisions. Participants must be ready to provide critical and at times sensitive or confidential information. In an emergency when time is essential, key staff must be available for these calls. The PEPCO staff in the County Emergency Operations Center and on the conference calls was professional and cooperative but not authorized to make decisions. By contrast, when the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission dealt with recent crises, their General Manager was on the calls with local emergency management officials from the first moment.
We acknowledge the difficulty of obtaining assistance from out-of-state utility companies and appreciate the help that those crews provided. They were staged out of the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg and the sheer number of them was gratifying. It does appear, however, that our residents suffered longer than necessary. We would like confirmation that once the extent of the damage was known, PEPCO acted to mobilize its mutual aid agreement in the most timely manner possible. Additionally, we recommend that those existing agreements be modified to require PEPCO to inform local governments immediately when it has availed itself of the assistance of out-of-state crews. Even though it may have taken those crews many hours to arrive, PEPCO could have at least better informed local governments and the public that the crews had been called and were mobilizing.
Finally, the City requests the PSC specifically investigate PEPCO’s inability to provide a valid reason why certain City neighborhoods lose power more frequently and for longer periods of time. Lest there be any confusion, the lack of reliability from PEPCO extends far beyond the response to the recent storm. The PSC should require PEPCO to examine what deficiencies may exist in the lines that provide electricity to these homes and businesses, and then promptly develop and implement a plan to identify and, to the extent possible, strengthen the weak points in those distribution lines. Requiring PEPCO to take this action seems to be the only way to reduce the risk of repeated and lengthy outages for many of our residents and businesses in particular pockets throughout our City.
We are asking for a meeting with PEPCO senior management to discuss ways to better work together, explore best practices, and generally avoid repeating this scenario again and again. We look forward to working with the PSC to effect the dramatic improvement that is needed.
Thank you for your prompt and thorough attention to these important matters.
Sidney A. Katz, Mayor
Cathy Drzyzgula, Council Vice President
Jud Ashman, Council Member
Henry F. Marraffa, Jr., Council Member
Ryan Spiegel, Council Member
Michael A. Sesma, Council Member
CC: Governor Martin O’Malley
District 17 Delegation
County Executive Isiah Leggett
County Councilmembers
Mr. Joseph M. Rigby, CEO and President, PEPCO Holdings, Inc.
Mr. Thomas Graham, President, PEPCO Region
Montgomery Chapter of the Maryland Municipal League
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Friday, August 06, 2010
Gaithersburg City Council Members Endorse Hans Riemer
Four of five members of the Gaithersburg City Council have endorsed Hans Riemer, a sign that his campaign is spreading out far from District 5 (where Riemer ran in 2006). We are skeptical that any incumbent other than Marc Elrich will be able match this particular endorsement. Furthermore, we see that Roger Berliner's Chief of Staff, Cindy Gibson, is now listed as one of Riemer's supporters. Does that mean something?
Following is Riemer's press release.
Gaithersburg City Councilmembers Endorse Hans Riemer for County Council
Mike Sesma: "Hans will be a leader among leaders on the County Council."
For Immediate Release
August 6, 2010
Contact: Ken Silverman, Campaign Manager
240-389-4276 or ken@hansriemer.com
GAITHERSBURG - Four members of the Gaithersburg City Council endorsed Hans Riemer for Montgomery County Council At Large today. A strong advocate for the Corridor Cities Transitway and other public transportation in Gaithersburg and the rest of northern Montgomery County, Hans Riemer will work closely with Upcounty communities to bring transit, protect the Agricultural Reserve and improve our quality of life.
“I support Hans Riemer because he is a strong supporter of transit. We need more transit in more areas of the County and I think Hans will help us achieve that,” said Cathy Drzyzgula, Vice President of the Gaithersburg City Council.
“I'm excited about the ideas and energy Hans Riemer brings to our County. As a strong advocate for transit as well as fiscal responsibility, Hans is ready to lead us in the right direction,” said Councilmember Jud Ashman.
“Having worked with Hans for several years going back to the Young Democrats and the Obama Campaign, I know firsthand that Hans is a terrific listener, community organizer, and leader. He will be a great asset on the County Council, and will work hard for all the people of our County,” said Councilmember Ryan Spiegel.
“Hans Riemer understands that creating economic sustainability in Montgomery County requires proactive approaches to regional transportation, creating and strengthening livable communities and reality-based fiscal discipline. Hans will be a leader among leaders on this county council because he knows it's not just about jobs, it’s about everything," said Councilmember Michael Sesma.
Councilmembers Drzyzgula, Ashman, Spiegal and Sesma join other municipal officials in supporting Hans Riemer, including Mayor Pete Fosselman of Kensington, Mayor Darrell Anderson of Washington Grove and Councilmember Josh Wright of Takoma Park along with County Councilmembers Valerie Ervin and Nancy Navarro, Senator Jamie Raskin, Delegates Kathleen Dumais, Brian Feldman, Bill Frick, Sheila Hixson, Tom Hucker, Karen Montgomery and Kirill Reznik, the Washington Post, the Sierra Club, the Montgomery County Education Association and many others.
"Community input is absolutely essential for the Council to make effective and fair decisions, especially when the character of a community is on the line. That's why I'm very gratified to have the support of these Gaithersburg Councilmembers, along with so many others across the County," Riemer said. "Working together, we will protect our schools and forge a more sustainable future for everyone."
A veteran of President Obama's national campaign staff, Hans Riemer has spent the last two years working on pension reform and community engagement at AARP while advocating for protecting Metro and Ride On and building the Purple Line and CCT here in Montgomery County. He was a key leader in assembling the national campaign to stop President Bush from privatizing Social Security. Hans and his wife Angela live in Silver Spring with their three year old son Henry.
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Thursday, June 17, 2010
Gaithersburg West Opponents Praise and Pan Council Candidates
Gaithersburg West Master Plan opponents who run the Scale-it-Back website have issued an Election 2010 Scorecard that evaluates County Council candidates. Some will love it and some will hate it. Let’s find out who the lovers and haters will be!
Scale it Back devised an eight-point rating scale for every candidate. Five points are derived from votes and comments made during the planning process. Three points are derived from remarks made at the May 12 County Council at-large forum. This is unscientific to be sure, but most civic activists feel they can learn who to trust and who is giving them the run-around during a process of this nature. Such is the gist of this evaluation.
Here are the raw scores for every candidate.
Marc Elrich: 8
Phil Andrews: 5
Hans Riemer: 4
Sharon Dooley: 4
Fred Evans: 3
Roger Berliner: 2
Duchy Trachtenberg: 2
Jane de Winter: 2
Mike Knapp: 1
George Leventhal: 1
Ilaya Hopkins: 1
Becky Wagner: 1
Ike Leggett: 0
Valerie Ervin: 0
Nancy Navarro: 0
Nancy Floreen: 0
And there is more. For a few of them, Scale it Back included some choice comments. You sure can’t fault them for being shy! Here is what they had to say about the county-wide candidates, as well as their own Council Member, Phil Andrews.
Marc Elrich (8)Marc Elrich worked very closely with the community during the Gaithersburg West Master Plan process and represented us on the Planning, Housing and Economic Development (PHED) Committee.
Phil Andrews (5)Phil Andrews worked very closely with the community during the Gaithersburg West Master Plan process. He is very involved in the community and has made several trips on foot through each of the neighborhoods in order to get to know the residents and hear their concerns first-hand.
Fred Evans (3)Fred Evans, former Principal of Gaithersburg High School, has a thorough understanding of our educational system and is a strong believer in resident-participation in government and managed growth.
Duchy Trachtenberg (2)Duchy Trachtenberg proposed a Health Impact Assessment for the area around the Gaithersburg West Master Plan study area and community involvement in the master plan implementation. We will be watching closely to see if these plans are carried out.
George Leventhal (1)
She was adamant that the Gaithersburg West Master Plan be approved for its monetary value to the county, even though it is questionable whether the Fiscal Analysis supports the notion that the development approved in the Master Plan will be to profitable for the county. Any plan that relies on $2 billion of infrastructure improvements should have been analyzed very carefully and this was not done.George Leventhal, during the Gaithersburg West Master Plan process, expressed his lack of concern for the residents. Obviously he had made up his mind to pass the plan and having to deal with the residents was clearly distasteful judging from his mocking comments and his manic performance at the Quince Orchard Town Hall Meeting.
Ike Leggett (0)
He showed no concern for the many problems that will result from the addition of 40,000 workers and 20,000 residents to the “Science City” area which is about 1.5 square miles in a suburban residential area, five miles from the Metro.
He did not ask for additional information or clarification on any of the issues, inconsistencies or inaccuracies brought up by Phil Andrews, Marc Elrich or the residents. His mind was made up.
From comments on the Apple Ballot, Maryland Politics Watch, June 4, 2010:
"George Leventhal: The two-term incumbent is now firmly in the driver’s seat. Leventhal will have all the money he needs, almost all the big endorsements (except possibly the Post’s) and will wage a solid campaign. We expect him to finish first in the at-large race for the second election in a row. If that happens, Leventhal will be a top contender to be the next County Executive."
What a scary prediction! A person with such obvious disdain for the concerns of the residents is ill-suited for county government at any level.Ike Leggett showed little or no interest in the unprecedented amount of opposition to the Gaithersburg West Master Plan. The Fiscal Analysis, which came from his office, was questionable on a number of issues. Challenges made by Phil Andrews and Bragi Valgeirsson were dismissed by Diane Schwartz Jones from Leggett’s office by saying the Fiscal Analysis is “an art not a science.”
Nancy Floreen (0)Nancy Floreen was completely absent from the discussions of the Gaithersburg Master Plan even though she sat on the Planning, Housing and Economic Development (PHED) Committee. This committee is expected to evaluate the plan very carefully in order to make a recommendation to the full Council. She didn’t ask questions or expect clarification even though Marc Elrich and Phil Andrews brought up a multitude of issues and irregularities in the plan.
Plain and direct language is the mother’s milk of blogging, and this is a lot of spilled milk! Given the fact that the Gaithersburg West Master Plan was passed by a compromise, there is some question as to how potent the issue will be at election time. Marc Elrich will clearly enjoy support from the opponents, as well as the City Councils of both Gaithersburg and Rockville. Whether the issue has a further impact will depend on how organized the opponents remain and how much resonance the issue will have in the local area over the next three months.
She was obviously there to approve the plan and didn’t care to be bothered with the facts.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Gaithersburg Writes the Book on Book Festivals
The City of Gaithersburg has schooled the country on how to put on a book festival. Its first annual festival held on Saturday was a smashing success.
The focus of the event was its showcasing of 56 authors, each having an hour for presentation and questions from 10-4 in eight different tents.
But there was much more. There was a book sale tent, a used book area, events for kids, food and sponsor tents.
Crab cakes and lemonade for nine bucks!
There were too many people over too large an area for a head count. We would not be surprised if attendance reached four digits.
Many VIPs came. In addition to the Gaithersburg City Council, your author saw Council Members Phil Andrews and Marc Elrich, House Majority Leader Kumar Barve, Delegates Lou Simmons and Jim Gilchrist, Senate candidate Cheryl Kagan and County Council candidate Hans Riemer. There may very well have been others.
Hans Riemer (left) with Marc Elrich.
Your author was one of the presenters, and the only one who did not have to do a book signing. (How does one sign the Internet?) For once, the politicians gathered to grill the rogue blogger who has long tormented them. What fun it must have been for them!
Cheryl Kagan meets a very tired Andres Pagnucco. Let Cheryl teach you how to smile, little man!
The best reviews came from the authors themselves, many of whom have worked in other book events. Here are a few of their comments.
Erica S. Perl: “Here here! Very impressive in terms of organization, totally fun, and gorgeous weather too! Thanks so much for having me and congrats on what I'm sure will be a longrunning tradition!”
Sarah Blake: “I second that! It was a lovely lovely day--full to the brim of books and talk! Thank you Gaithersburg!”
Miranda Lobs: “I agree with everything already said. Thanks for all your hospitality. Everyone was so nice! What a successful event and you would never know this was your first book festival. Great job you guys!”
John Feinstein: “I wanted to throw some kudos today in the direction of the people who ran The Gaithersburg Book Festival on Saturday. I am always leery of book festivals and book fairs, in part because there is no guarantee anyone will show up, in part because they often are very poorly organized. This one—first time out of the box—was run with precision timing; lots of volunteers who knew what they were doing and good crowds—helped no doubt by a perfect weather day. The audience I spoke to had plenty of people and enthusiasm, which was terrific.”
Alan Orloff: “The weather was great, the event was extremely organized and well-attended, and the roster of participating authors was awesome.”
Friday, May 14, 2010
Why You Should Be in Gaithersburg on May 15th
By Jud Ashman.
Folks, the Gaithersburg Book Festival is no longer just an opportunity to throw tomatoes at our favorite blogger, Adam Pagnucco (speaking at 2pm in the James Michener Tent). It has grown into what may be the greatest one-day assortment of literary talent in the history of Montgomery County. No joke, no hyperbole.
We are talking more than 50 authors who will be speaking and signing books on the grounds of Gaithersburg City Hall. (If you want names, take a few minutes and go to the web site.) If I haven’t convinced you yet, check out the HIGHLIGHTS of their accomplishments:
- Last week, our keynote speaker was on Oprah and The View – and if you missed it, you can catch him this Sunday (according to his web site) on Meet the Press.
- Last month, one of our authors won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize.
- We have a National Book Award winner, who also happens to have been a finalist for the Pulitzer three times.
- We have a Newbery Medal winner, which if you don’t remember is the most coveted prize in children’s literature.
- At least three of our authors made major Best Books of 2009 lists – and several are destined to make the 2010 lists.
- There are many who’ve written best-sellers and several who’ve had books adapted into major motion pictures and plays.
We also have a ton of great new talent who are destined to become household names. See them here first! With summer right around the corner, this is the perfect opportunity to pick out your summer/vacation reading.
But wait! There’s more!
• Workshops for aspiring writers.
• A Children’s Village with fun and creative activities for kids of all ages.
• A Coffee House that will feature song and verse from local talent.
• A ton of really interesting exhibitors and wonderful sponsors.
• Food, food, food! (Some of which comes in the form of samples from our culinary authors.)
• Book sales on site from Barnes & Noble and Friends of the Library.
Oh, and by the way, the Gaithersburg Book Festival is free of charge!
Now, since we’re posting on MPW, here’s the policy angle as I see it: The first rule of economic development for an area is “Give people a reason to be there.” The DC Metro area is at the very top of the list of the “Most Literate Cities in the U.S.” Last September, the National Book Festival on the Mall drew 130,000 attendees… IN THE RAIN! Mind you, we’re not even remotely trying to draw 130,000 people to Gaithersburg on May 15th. (Maybe next year…) But come on, people, let’s show D.C. how MC rolls!
And the interest doesn’t stop at our borders. Looking at the GBF web site stats, almost 20% of the people considering our program are coming from DC, almost 10% are coming from Virginia, more than 5% are coming from New York, and we’ve even heard from people as far away as Pennsylvania, California, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Michigan. In fact, our program coordinator received a voice mail the other day from someone in Philadelphia asking for directions to Gaithersburg City Hall!
All this is to say that, as we grow the Gaithersburg Book Festival over the years, we all have an opportunity to take a major step forward in branding our Montgomery County community as a cultural destination of regional and, yes, national importance.
We want YOU with us! And we want your friends, and your families, and your neighbors with us too - on May 15th, and every year after.
“Or,” you might be thinking, “cut the crap, Jud. I’m just going to heckle Adam!” We’ll take that too. We’re not all that picky!
Jud Ashman
Gaithersburg City Council
Chair, Gaithersburg Book Festival
www.gaithersburgbookfestival.org
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Bank on Gaithersburg
By Ryan Spiegel.
These days “bank” is a four-letter word. With all the headlines about government bailouts, greedy CEOs, and irresponsible lending, banks don’t exactly have the best reputation anymore. But there is one very good thing about banking institutions that are regulated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation: your savings are insured up to $250,000. And in many cases, banks don’t charge you anything to have a personal checking and/or savings account.
Meanwhile, check-cashing venues can charge exorbitant, predatory fees and interest rates for payday loans and similar check cashing “services.” In many cases, those costs are well into double-digit percentage rates on the money that is yours. In other words, people are paying a very hefty price to access their own money, when they could be accessing that money for free – and keeping much more of it for themselves – if they used a bank.
Those who do not use mainstream financial institutions are often referred to as the “unbanked” or as “fringe banking” participants. Perhaps not surprisingly, there is a much higher percentage of “unbanked” people among the most vulnerable demographics in our communities – the poor, the elderly, the uneducated, immigrants, and minorities. A recent FDIC study estimates that 25.6% of U.S. households (30 million households) are unbanked or underbanked. Some might initially be reluctant to keep their money in a bank because they grew up in a foreign country where banks could not be trusted to keep assets safe. Some might have lived through the Great Depression or lost money in the Savings & Loan scandals of the 1980’s. But whatever the reason, stuffing cash under a mattress leaves you vulnerable to burglary or a fire, and it robs you of the interest that your money should be earning for you. (Even today’s low rates are better than nothing.) Usurious check cashing services prey upon these segments of society, charging a maddening 20, 30, or even 40 percent of people’s hard-earned income, which is extracted before it might otherwise circulate in the local economy.
That’s why I spearheaded the cutting-edge “Bank On Gaithersburg” initiative, which leverages the City’s leadership to bring together local banks and credit unions to offer attractive products for otherwise-unbanked members of our community. It costs virtually nothing to the City’s taxpayers, aside from some staff time and some marketing efforts, but the benefits are numerous and have the potential to affect many aspects of the local economy and quality of life. In exchange for agreeing to offer banking products designed with traditionally unbanked people in mind, such as basic checking and savings accounts with no monthly fees and no minimum balance requirements, participating banks and credit unions get the benefit of being identified and advertised by the City as “Bank On Gaithersburg” institutions. Such institutions might also provide informational materials in multiple languages and, in some cases, agree to accept consular documents as a form of identification in lieu of driver’s licenses. The City partners with other organizations, such as non-profits, to conduct outreach to “unbanked” communities and to provide financial education to assist families in becoming more financially independent.
But programs like Bank On Gaithersburg don’t just benefit the individuals who open bank accounts. The ancillary effect of getting more people to save money should actually reduce the demand for local government services. Think about it: if we can encourage a family to put even a modest amount into savings every month, then maybe they’ll be able to pay the mortgage or the college tuition or the medical bills for at least a few months longer if unemployment or other challenges strike, instead of facing foreclosure or bankruptcy right away. Maybe they’ll be able to weather the storm until a parent can get a new job. That translates into less tax dollars spent providing public assistance or administering foreclosure proceedings. Fewer bankruptcies and foreclosures may also mean that overall property values in an area don’t decline as much, which is good for property owners but also good for governments that rely on property tax revenue.
Folks who develop a reservoir of savings and interest income – or even those who just keep more of their regular paycheck by avoiding predatory check cashing fees and interest rates – may also have more freedom and flexibility to spend on extras like an occasional night out at a local restaurant or a shopping spree. By helping these individuals to gain the financial independence to enjoy goods and services sold by our local businesses, we are also helping the local economy.
Many smaller banks were hit especially hard by the Great Recession of 2008-2009, which in turn tightened up the flow of credit to small businesses and individuals at a time when they may have needed it most. But by encouraging the unbanked to open bank accounts, we are also helping to provide a fresh influx of capital to those banks. Lest we forget, banks generally are limited in their lending capacity relative to the amount of assets they hold. As more and more people open accounts and deposit money, banks will free up to lend out more of that capital to individuals and small businesses in the community. (As a condition of a “Bank On” program, a government might even be able to negotiate a requirement that the participating banks issue some of those new loans to businesses and people within the jurisdiction to ensure that the benefits are felt locally.)
Workers with bank accounts can sign up for electronic direct deposit, which helps them get their money faster (and start earning interest sooner). Direct deposit can also reduce the number of people on payday walking down the street with large wads of cash in their pockets, and thus perhaps reduce incentives for street robberies (which may also reduce the cost to government of responding to such crimes and help keep neighborhood home values higher). Additionally, direct deposit reduces the need for paper checks, which helps to save a few more trees for our environment. That’s why, as part of Bank On Gaithersburg, we are transitioning all of our City employees to direct deposit.
Another key aspect of “Bank On Gaithersburg” was the opening of a new Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (“VITA”) site within the City, providing free tax preparation assistance for eligible individuals. In particular, the VITA program helps lower-income individuals apply for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (“EITC”) refund. This refund is essentially free money for many struggling families, but you won’t receive it unless you fill out the proper tax paperwork. Each year, thousands of EITC-eligible individuals never receive their refund because they simply didn’t apply, often because they don’t know about it. As part of the Bank On Gaithersburg initiative, volunteers from the IRS and area non-profits like Family Services, Inc. are working at VITA service centers to ensure that more eligible residents apply for, and receive, their EITC refund. And they can, in turn, use the refund as an initial deposit in a new savings account with an affiliated Bank On Gaithersburg institution, ultimately putting that money back into the local economy in the form of the aforementioned private spending or reduced need for government services. We are also working to provide Bank On Gaithersburg/VITA clients with similar assistance in applying for the City’s own Homeowner Tax Credit, which also requires homeowners to complete application forms in order to receive the credit.
As a result of the novel, comprehensive vision of this initiative, Gaithersburg was one of only eight cities nationwide to be awarded a grant from the National League of Cities to develop its “Bank On” program. In this dire financial environment, governments are looking everywhere for new approaches and ideas to reduce spending and spur economic growth. It is our hope that Bank On Gaithersburg can serve as a model for Montgomery County and the State of Maryland, and throughout the region, to help struggling families attain financial stability while also boosting local economies and creating long-term benefits for the entire community.
Ryan Spiegel is a Gaithersburg City Councilmember.
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Gaithersburg Says Yes to Doctor No
Council Member Marc Elrich’s lone no vote on the Gaithersburg West Master Plan may have annoyed some of his colleagues, but it could pay off in a big way among the locals!
As we chronicled two weeks ago, a compromise between Gaithersburg West supporter (and Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee Chair) Mike Knapp and plan opponent Phil Andrews paved the way for an 8-1 straw vote to pass a modified version of the plan. At-large Council Member Marc Elrich cast the only vote against the plan, saying:The Gaithersburg West Master Plan that was sent to the Council by the Planning Board was deeply flawed. After months of committee and Council review, the plan has a new name (the Great Seneca Science Corridor Master Plan) and some modest improvements. However, I am still very troubled by some of the underlying concepts and, therefore, will not vote to approve it. The contention that it will create a smart growth live/work community is not supported by facts. The densities will require extraordinary amounts of dollars for infrastructure, with the costs borne largely by Montgomery County taxpayers. And even if those infrastructure investments happen, the quality of life for existing communities will be severely eroded because balance is achieved only by redefining the level of traffic congestion that is acceptable. Another disturbing possibility is that the area will become another set of office parks with a high percentage of non-life science jobs, thereby undermining the intent of the master plan to create a Science City.
Elrich’s opposition provoked significant ire from the rest of the council, with one member labeling him “Doctor No.” The council wanted to bury the issue and move on, but Elrich had different ideas.
One result of this is that some of Gaithersburg’s most influential citizens are now sponsoring a fundraiser for Elrich. Hosts include Phil Andrews, Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney Katz, Gaithersburg City Council Members Jud Ashman, Ryan Spiegel and Mike Sesma and master plan opposition leader Donna Baron (who lives in North Potomac).
This could have very positive consequences for Elrich. In March, we noted that twenty precincts were located within two miles of the master plan area. Together, they accounted for 7.0% of all the votes cast for at-large County Council candidates in the 2006 election. Here are the vote totals for those precincts for the top five candidates that year:
George Leventhal: 3,435
Mike Subin: 2,967
Nancy Floreen: 2,901
Duchy Trachtenberg: 2,855
Marc Elrich: 2,707
Of the twenty precincts, Leventhal won twelve, Floreen won three, Subin won two and Elrich won just one. Two of these precincts did not exist in 2006.
Elrich, who served on the Takoma Park City Council for almost twenty years, has had a traditional base in the southeastern part of Montgomery County. With the support of some of Gaithersburg’s most prominent citizens, he could very well expand his geographic reach.
Sometimes the best way to get to yes is to say no!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Sleeping Giant Stays in Bed
Last month, we ran a four-part series on the policy and political implications of the Gaithersburg West Master Plan. We asked whether the issue was a “sleeping giant” and speculated about its impact on the 2010 at-large County Council race. The recent approval of a compromise master plan on an 8-1 vote changes things considerably.
The final weeks leading to the vote were pressure-packed. The City Councils of Rockville and Gaithersburg came out against the plan and opponents threatened dire consequences if it was passed. But supporters picked up their game and flooded the council with emails in the last days before the vote. Looming over everything was the budget, which threatened to push the issue to the back burner.
Just before the vote, six Council Members broadly favored the provisions in the plan: at-large members Nancy Floreen, George Leventhal and Duchy Trachtenberg and district Council Members Mike Knapp (who is the Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee Chair), Valerie Ervin and Nancy Navarro. They could have jammed it through over the objections of the remaining three. But that risked creating an election issue and damaging the council’s ability to work together on the budget. So Knapp began exploring ways to pick up more votes – and most critically, earning the support of Phil Andrews, who represented the area. Could the six supporters move enough to get Andrews on board?
One new piece of information that made a difference was a council staff memo on potential build-out under the plan. The original plan allowed 20 million square feet of commercial space provided that all of the supporting infrastructure (including the Corridor Cities Transitway) was built. County Executive Ike Leggett proposed allowing 18 million square feet and several Council Members shared that view. But developers seldom max out every square foot on their properties because of financing constraints, problems with securing tenants and issues with architecture and engineering. The staff found that if the limit was set at 20 million square feet, developers were likely to actually build only 14.7-16.2 million square feet. The existing master plan from 1990 allowed 13 million square feet with no staging tied to infrastructure. This information gave the council flexibility to adjust the density since neither 18 million nor 20 million square feet would have actually been built under any circumstance. So the ultimate compromise provided for 17.5 million square feet plus concessions on allowable congestion and improved staging – just enough to get Andrews and Roger Berliner to come on board. Only Marc Elrich refused to go along.
Andrews did what all good legislators do. He staked out his position, accumulated some leverage, won some concessions, struck a deal and defended it. Knapp did what all good committee chairs do. He provided lots of opportunities for input, negotiated patiently, and built a consensus to win as many votes as possible. And Council President Nancy Floreen did what all good presiding officers do: clear out one contentious issue before moving on to an even more contentious issue (that being the budget). For all the criticism of its dysfunction, here is an instance when the County Council worked well together and arrived at a fair solution.
OK, maybe we should not overdo it. Council Member Duchy Trachtenberg put out a press release claiming credit for the deal hours after the vote even though she had little role in working it out. Welcome to election season, folks.
Given the lopsided vote and the support of Phil Andrews, it’s hard to see where the opponents go from here. The plan is done. It is not going to be repealed or modified in any major way. No amount of electoral activism will change that. Marc Elrich will pick up some votes in the Gaithersburg precincts and perhaps win a few of them. But because the County Council was able to find a compromise, the sleeping giant rubbed his eyes, yawned, rolled over and went back to bed – probably through the election.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
In Support of Gaithersburg West
By Kristen Wesley.
Instead of sending “scathing” letters, filled with threats and distortions, grassroots supporters of the Shady Grove Science Center have been encouraging people to contact the County Council in support of the Gaithersburg West Master Plan through www.ScienceYes.org.
The results: Residents have been inundating the County Council with hundreds of supportive emails, letters and postcards for several weeks, demonstrating beyond any doubt that there is broad and deep support throughout the County for investing in science and technology and for the kind of transit-oriented development this plan provides.
As we approach the final decisions regarding the Gaithersburg West Master Plan, here is what some prominent Montgomery County leaders and citizens have had to say in the course of this debate in support of the plan.
Support for the Gaithersburg West Master Plan
Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett
We can be the place where solutions are found for the elimination of disease, world hunger, protection of the environment, and a reduction in energy consumption. The Gaithersburg West Master Plan is a critical component in helping the County to achieve this vision by creating a ‘Community of Innovation’ where the workers and researchers will live, work and play. Research parks are changing. Suburban models are being replaced by research villages where researchers can live, work, learn and play. We have the elements for a successful research environment, but to remain a leader, our model must change as well. With competition growing globally, nationally and regionally, it is critical that we define ourselves as a leader in the field of biosciences and that we create exciting and inviting places for these quality jobs within the County.
The Washington Post Editorial, “Science & the Suburban Future,” March 28, 2010, p. A14
It is an important and essential project…. What critics mostly miss is that the development plan is highly staged, meaning that each new round of building is contingent on major improvements in infrastructure to mitigate the infusions of new workers and cars…. By setting its sights high, the county will help ensure the long-range prosperity of a region whose promise has too often been compromised by short-term thinking.
Roger K. Lewis, Professor of Architecture, University of Maryland, and nationally recognized expert on smart growth community design
Smart growth implies wiser land use and infrastructure planning, transit-oriented development, more effective land use regulation and better urban design. It advocates adopting and implementing a number of specific principles that planners today universally embrace:
• Strengthening and encouraging growth in existing communities;
• Taking advantage of existing infrastructure and other community assets;
• Creating compact, denser, walkable neighborhoods with rational street-block patterns;
• Mixing rather than segregating land uses;
• Providing increased housing opportunities and choices, especially affordable housing;
• Providing a variety of transportation choices, including transit;
• Promoting development of attractive communities with a strong sense of place;
• Preserving, rehabilitating and using historic buildings;
• Preserving agricultural land and sensitive environmental areas;
• Making the planning and development process predictable, fair and cost-effective;
• Ensuring citizen and stakeholder participation in the planning and development process.
The Gaithersburg West Master Plan clearly embodies these smart growth principles.
Gene Counihan, Former Delegate and Resident of Montgomery Village
With the 270 Master Plans before you, we have an opportunity to move Montgomery County a giant step forward. We are at a crossroads. We can choose to embrace the bold visionary plans that enable us to move forward and to become a vibrant global center for creative jobs, technology, research, smart growth, and mass transit. Or we can choose the rear view mirror approach that leads to stagnation and decline with memories of what might have been.
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Montgomery County, African American Chamber of Commerce, Asian-Pacific Chamber of Commerce and Asian-American Advisory Group
Our community can greatly benefit from these high-paying jobs; additionally, we are committed to the type of “smart growth” and transit-oriented-development that this plan represents. We also feel that Montgomery County needs the estimated $1 billion in net new revenue that this project will produce. Our organizations and their constituents will be looking at your vote on the Gaithersburg West Master Plan as a defining issue in determining our future support…. We believe that the plan, as it stands, will result in significant benefits in terms of federal and state investments in public transit infrastructure, parks, and the engagement of key players in the development of the Science Center. We believe that scaling back or further delaying this plan would reduce the expected benefits of the plan, and therefore we oppose such reductions and delays. Furthermore, the plan as it exists already reflects extensive community input and now includes adequate staging requirements, new transportation facilities, more parks and other benefits to the surrounding community.
Dr. Richard Zakour, Executive Director, MdBio Division, Tech Council of Maryland
This project [the Gaithersburg West Master Plan] represents a unique opportunity to fulfill the vision of the I-270 corridor as a world class center for health, science, and education. The Shady Grove Life Sciences Center will be the kind of place where the world’s top scientists from government, the bioscience industry, healthcare, and education can come together to improve the health of the world.
Wonro Lee, president and CEO of JG Merchant Sales & Services, Co-Chair of the Asian-American Advisory Group
The Korean American community has worked very hard in spite of barriers to language, culture, and economics…. We have a wealth of researchers, scientists, and business people within our community that are encouraged by this plan and would want it to move forward. As a quality of life issue, we want to stay ahead of the curve to encourage as many intelligent based jobs as possible to the County. Montgomery County is recognized as a excellent place to live and learn, but also needs to be an attractive place to work. In these times of economic uncertainty it is encouraging to see organizations willing to bolster our competitive edge and create new opportunities. Our County should be a place to open doors – not close them.
Todd Grinspoon, Neighborhood Resident, Woods of Muddy Branch
I support the Gaithersburg West Master Plan. … I’ve stayed in Montgomery County because it’s my home and I believe it’s a great place to raise a family. I’d like my children to have the same opportunity, but with Montgomery County losing to Virginia on a pretty constant basis….I don’t see that happening.
Gigi Godwin, President and CEO, Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce
If we are serious about funding and building the Corridor Cities Transit way, we need to be committed to approving [the Gaithersburg West Master Plan] with enough density and walkable, transit-oriented design elements to boost ridership and raise the cost-effectiveness figures.
Eric Ross, Neighborhood Resident, The Willows
I believe the reasonable concerns of all parts of the surrounding community have been heard and addressed.
Sally Sternbach, Executive Director, Rockville Economic Development, Inc.
Vision 2030 asks us to look at mission; at what we want our City’s reputation to rest on. Is this where the cure for Alzheimer’s should be discovered, the elimination of TB assured and the early diagnosis of lung cancer confirmed? It gives us the opportunity to envision our role in fulfilling a universal, humanitarian mission. … This is one of the times when a master plan needs to support a vision, and not one of the times when a vision needs to be limited by a master plan.
Bruce Robertson, Resident, Willows of Potomac, and Managing Director, HIG Ventures
Physical proximity is very important to the growth of an entrepreneurial industry. I’ve spent a lot of time in Silicon Valley, the national leader in life science. One of the reasons it works is that everyone eats breakfast at the same place! Many of us have spent years trying to build that same sense of community in our life science industry and this plan accomplishes that.
Rex Reed, Resident, Amberlea Farm on Dufief Mill Road
There is too much good at stake. Good for Shady Grove Hospital and its many existing and planned future services; good for our children, after being educated by top schools to be able to stay in the area; good for science, bringing cutting edge medicine to our doorstep; good for our tax base, and Good for all of our County’s families and businesses, to be thriving in the best county in the nation.
Marilyn Balcombe, Executive Director, Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce
There aren’t many places in the Country, or the world for that matter, that have everything it takes to build a visionary science and education center like the one proposed in this Master Plan. But we do.
Gregg Gochnour, Resident, Rockville, and MCPS Science Teacher
We have been preparing students for a world class challenge in science research all of the 36 years I have taught in MCPS. Why not give them a chance to see a place where it can happen?
Roger Kang, Chief Operating Officer, TissueGene
There’s no question that numerous international companies are still looking to open up locations in the U.S. The question is: Do we want their knowledge and their expertise here? Or do we want to hand them over to Massachusetts or California or North Carolina? If we want to become the premiere location for biotechnology — if we want to become the ‘go to’ location for these international companies who are flush with cash and looking for opportunities in the States — we need to create the vibrant, walkable, transit-oriented community proposed in the Gaithersburg West Master Plan.
Vik Subbu, Montgomery County Resident
I am in favor of the development of the Gaithersburg West Plan …despite the growth and wealth of talented resources, we remain just another life sciences hub and not THE life sciences hub in the nation. One reason for this is the lack of a unique center that connects our entrepreneurs, scientists and business talent and cultivates the free flow of knowledge and ideas.
Paolo Baroldi, Resident, Potomac Glenn, and Chief Medical Officer, Supernus Pharmaceuticals
For many, the local biotech community is not strong enough and has not yet reached the critical mass to absorb the layoffs by many small businesses due to the terrible financial crisis we are all facing. …the Gaithersburg West Master Plan will help develop and grow the immense knowledge, scientific, and business potential contained in this region to offer unique professional opportunities as well as high quality of life.
Montserrat Capdevila, Resident, Rockville, Graduate Student
Why wouldn’t residents welcome the creation of good jobs that promise a bright future for professionals working in three of the strongest sectors during this economic downturn? Why not provide homes and shops nearby that younger adults can afford in a vibrant environment where we’ll want to live? Why not create a community that will attract international companies to our County?
David Marcille, Director of Support Services–Operations, BioReliance Corp.
In a business sector where intellectual property and technical ability are its most important assets, the quality of life for its human capital is paramount. The Gaithersburg West Master Plan addresses this critical need now and for our future generations.
Andrew Milisits co-founder and Managing Partner of AITHERAS, LLC
We are a perfect example of the kind of company that wants to be in Montgomery County, that tried to be in Montgomery County, but is not in Montgomery County because we were not able to find the right space here at a cost-point that fits our business model. Multiply this by the hundreds of other companies like us that make the same decision every year, and think of the tax revenue you are losing. Money that could be flowing into our schools or the County’s services.... AITHERAS wants to grow to a $100 million organization utilizing local talent and businesses for its work around the country. We feel we have a lot to add to the communities we serve, and we have plans to expand and open up several satellite offices within the next few years. Whether one or more of these offices is in Montgomery County is entirely up to you.
Letter to the editor in the Gazette by Kristen Wesley
The Sierra Club has lost all credibility if they can’t support the County Executive’s proposal to transform Gaithersburg West into a more sustainable, transit-oriented community, as proposed in the Gaithersburg West Master Plan. Since when is development around the light-rail Corridor Cities Transit way, which this plan makes possible, not transit-oriented development? Well, since never. This plan is in the center of our County’s technology corridor, in an area that is already developed in the worst possible way for the environment: Low-rise office parks surrounded by big parking lots. It is also where the County’s smart growth policies call for more jobs and housing to be concentrated. The plan the Council will be voting on has already been scaled down so it fits with the existing infrastructure that’s already there. It will be an asset to the surrounding communities, with new parks and open space, a mix of uses so people don’t have to drive, four new transit stations plus a network of hiker-biking trails. It is a far more sustainable community than what is there now. Clearly, the Sierra Club is out to lunch and seems more interested in spouting old-guard NIMBYism than actually advancing the cause of smart growth.
Kristen Wesley is a long-time resident of Gaithersburg.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Phil Andrews Comments on Gaithersburg West
County Council Member Phil Andrews, who opposed the original Gaithersburg West Master Plan but voted for the compromise that passed the council, released the following statement on the issue today.
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Thanks to effective, sustained advocacy by many individuals and community organizations—including the Gaithersburg-North Potomac-Rockville Coalition, the North Potomac Citizens Association, Residents for Reasonable Development, the Sierra Club, the Action Committee for Transit, and, crucially, by the Mayors and Councilmembers of Gaithersburg and Rockville—the County Council made several vital improvements to the Draft Gaithersburg West Master Plan proposed by the County Planning Board. As a result, the Great Seneca Science Corridor Master Plan approved (on a preliminary vote) by the County Council yesterday should achieve the equally important goals of enabling substantial expansion of life sciences and health care services while protecting surrounding communities from unacceptable levels of traffic congestion.
Important changes made by the Council to the Planning Board’s proposal include:
• Scaling back the potential commercial development from 20 million square feet to 17.5 million. Given that the existing Gaithersburg West Master Plan allows 13 million square feet of commercial development, the reduction from an additional 7 million square feet to 4.5 million additional is 35 percent.
• Providing protection against unacceptable levels of traffic congestion. This was done by eliminating the recommendation that the acceptable critical lane volume (CLV) of cars per lane per hour be increased to 1,600. The Council kept the standard at a much more acceptable 1,450 cars per lane per hour. The Planning Board’s own traffic speed projections showed that rush-hour traffic in Gaithersburg West at the proposed level of 20 million square feet of commercial development would be in the 9 miles per hour range by 2030, but that Germantown (where even more jobs are planned and a 1,600 CLV is part of the Master Plan) would have average rush-hour speeds in the 18 to 21 mph range. Keeping the CLV at 1,450 means that traffic mitigation improvements for intersections will be triggered at a much earlier stage than if the acceptable congestion standard were 1,600 cars per lane per hour.
• Requiring that 5,700 new housing units be part of the transportation staging plan (like the commercial development). The Planning Board did not include the new residential units in its proposed staging plan.
• Requiring that the Corridor Cities Transitway not only be fully funded for construction from the Shady Grove Metro to Metropolitan Grove (the Planning Board proposal), but that it be at least halfway constructed before Stage 3 can begin—which is when commercial development could be built that exceeds what is already allowed under the existing master plan.
• Establishing requirements for the non-auto driver mode share (NADMS) that are fixed rather than increasing from a highly questionable assumption that the current NADMS share is 16 percent. The percentage of workers who would need to arrive at work other than by driving alone is required to be 18 percent by the beginning of Stage 2, 23 percent by the beginning of Stage 3 and 28 percent by the beginning of Stage 4.
• Requiring stronger language in the Master Plan regarding protection of the view of the historic Belward Farm, and allowing a transfer of density from Belward to the Life Sciences Center (LSC) Central, the area of the plan appropriate for highest density.
• Including much more detailed descriptions of how the Master Plan will achieve environmental sustainability (e.g., a specific target for tree canopy), use open space and provide connectivity to surrounding neighborhoods.
• Enhancing the Master Plan recommendations for parks in general, and on Belward in particular, where the proposed 300-foot buffer with two soccer fields has been changed to the Muddy Branch Park and the Park is included in the staging.
• Requiring an implementation monitoring committee be established by the Planning Board that would produce a biennial report to the Council and Executive.
• Requiring that an advisory committee be established consisting of stakeholders, including the cities of Gaithersburg and Rockville, and surrounding unincorporated communities, to make recommendations regarding the plan as it develops.
• Requiring additional affordable housing (30 percent on housing planned for the current site of the Public Safety Training Academy) and the purchase of building lot termination easements to protect farmland in the Agricultural Reserve.
The Council will soon take up the Life Sciences Zoning Text Amendment. I will work to ensure that a substantially higher percentage of jobs in the areas zoned as a Life Sciences Zone (Belward and Life Sciences Central in the Great Seneca Science Corridor Master Plan) are required to be life sciences jobs than the present proposed percentage of 30 percent.
During the past week, Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee Chair Mike Knapp and I worked closely together, and with our colleagues, amended the plan in a way that enables substantial growth in the Life Sciences Center while also providing the needed protections against unacceptable traffic impacts. I thank Councilmember Knapp and our colleagues on the Council, and salute the many municipal and community leaders whose ideas and hard work helped shape this important master plan.
I will continue to work closely with all stakeholders to help ensure that the master plan is well-implemented and that communities are protected.
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County Council Provides More Details on Gaithersburg West
A County Council press release provides more details on the compromise Gaithersburg West Master Plan, now renamed the Great Seneca Science Corridor Master Plan, that the council voted to support yesterday. Following is the release.
Montgomery Council Reaches Agreements on ‘Great Seneca Science Corridor’ Master Plan
Maximum Allowable Building Space Reduced, Critical Lane Volume Addressed, Community Engagement Encouraged For Plan Formerly Known as Gaithersburg West
ROCKVILLE, Md., April 14, 2010—The Montgomery County Council on April 13 voted 8-1 to tentatively approve key aspects of the newly renamed “Great Seneca Science Corridor” Master Plan. The agreements on the plan—formerly known as the Gaithersburg West Master Plan—should be formalized within the next few weeks and will allow the area near Shady Grove Road and Darnestown Road to develop into one of the nation’s premier areas for scientific research and development.
The Council has studied the proposal intently since fall. A major portion of the plan involves the former Belward Farm that was purchased by Johns Hopkins University. The university has sought to incorporate that land as part of the area’s development.
Key agreements reached by the Council include reduction of the maximum allowable buildable space in the plan from the proposed 20 million square feet to 17.5 million square feet. Another key agreement would maintain the “critical lane volume” that defines overcrowded roads at 1,450 vehicles per lane per hour (rather than allowing a proposed increase to 1,600). An amendment added will require the County’s Planning Board to work with existing neighborhoods to monitor evolving transportation issues of the plan. Another item approved by the Council requests that the Planning Board work to protect the profile of the remaining buildings of Belward Farm as development occurs around them.
Council President Nancy Floreen, Vice President Valerie Ervin and Councilmembers Phil Andrews, Roger Berliner, Mike Knapp, George Leventhal, Nancy Navarro and Duchy Trachtenberg voted to tentatively approve the amended plan. Councilmember Marc Elrich voted against the proposal.
“We have worked carefully to establish a plan that will guide Montgomery County’s future for decades as one of the world’s most prominent areas for science,” said Council President Floreen. “In working toward this goal, we have also listened to the concerns of residents and nearby local jurisdictions. We came out with a plan that would work for those who already live in this area and for the future residents and employees who will be attracted to the Great Seneca Corridor. The decisions we made will benefit all of Montgomery County.”
Included in the Great Seneca Science Corridor plan is the proposed creation of a 21st Century Life Sciences Center. The area will include housing and retail uses in the hope that many of those who work in the Life Sciences Center Zone would elect to live nearby and reduce regular use of automobiles.
The new community would be chiefly served by I-270 and the proposed Corridor Cities Transitway, which would be either a light rail or Bus Rapid Transit extension from the Shady Grove Metrorail Station.
# # # #
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Council Passes Gaithersburg West Master Plan
The County Council passed a compromise Gaithersburg West Master Plan, which they have renamed "the Great Seneca Science Corridor Plan," by an 8-1 vote today. The only dissenter was at-large Council Member Marc Elrich. Phil Andrews, who represents Rockville and Gaithersburg and fought the original version of the plan, voted for the compromise. We hear that the compromise allows a maximum commercial square footage of 17.5 million, up from the 13 million in the 1990 plan but less than the 20 million in the new plan's first draft and the 18 million recommended by County Executive Ike Leggett. We will have more details tomorrow.
Friday, April 09, 2010
Gaithersburg West Opponents Turn Up the Heat on Leggett, County Council
Scale it Back, the group opposing the Gaithersburg West Master Plan, sent the following searing email to County Executive Ike Leggett and the County Council quoting an enormous number of people who oppose various parts of the plan. The email ends with an interesting and ominous selection originally written by the author of this blog. Following is the email.
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OPPOSITION TO THE GAITHERSBURG WEST MASTER PLAN
The remarks below were not made by well-paid lobbyists.
Mayor Sidney Katz and City Council of Gaithersburg
While we recognize that a vibrant, diverse Life Sciences Center would be an economic advantage for Montgomery County and Gaithersburg, we are extremely concerned by the proposed density and the potential negative impact on the quality of life of the surrounding neighborhoods, including those in Gaithersburg and Rockville," said Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney Katz. "The City Council and I have outlined twelve issues that are critical to the harmonious success of this development, and we have asked the Montgomery County Council to consider them before moving forward.
Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio and City Council of Rockville
The City of Rockville cannot support the Planning Board Draft in its current form and recommends that the Montgomery County Council refer it back to the Montgomery County Planning Board to resolve the issues outlined in this Resolution and in that of the City of Gaithersburg.
Delegate Saqib Ali
The issue of the Gaithersburg West is not nearly such an intractable issue. To me there seems ample room for both sides to easily make compromises on how to build the Life Sciences Center. I think this should be a win-win for everyone involved.
Delegate Kirill Reznik
I know that the opponents of the scale and size of the proposed Gaithersburg West Project are not opposed to expanded business and life sciences development, not opposed to the CCT, and not opposed to general growth, but feel that all of this could be achieved with a smaller project that will not affect and upend so many people through increased traffic, both because of construction and because of the population growth after, and general strain on resources. In this, I could not agree more. I do believe that a smaller version of the project will be able to achieve the same ends, and that we should strive for it.
Joe Alfandre, Montgomery County Planning Board
The proposed Plan is one of water spilling helter-skelter across a flat surface instead of a concentration of new growth into a vibrant, “City Center.” Rather than a “Science City,” the plan recommends a series of “Science Villages.”
Hans Riemer, candidate for County Council at-large
A separate but also critical issue that needs to be addressed at the time of the Gaithersburg West deliberations is the impact of this proposal on job growth and community building around transit areas down-county and east-county. Preliminary projections show a startling decline in economic growth for these areas if Gaithersburg West is approved. This does not have to be the case. We must ask now, what changes will be needed to ensure that all of Montgomery County can thrive even as so much new investment flows to the Gaithersburg West area? This discussion should be had before the vote, not after it, and rather than blithe assurances from planners and elected officials we need real data and specific ideas.
Jim Humphrey, Chair, Montgomery County Civic Federation, Planning and Land Use Comm., February 11, 2010
When the members of the Council's Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee met with the Planning Board and Department on June 15, 2009, for the first worksession on the Germantown plan, Board Chairman Royce Hanson was asked a disarmingly simple sounding question: "Would the upzoning of properties recommended in the revised Germantown and Gaithersburg West master plans absorb all of the current market demand for science and technology space in the county?" He replied that he believed those two master plans would absorb all of the market demand for science and technology space in the county, and not only at present but probably for many years to come, given the current national economic crisis.
David Hauck, Sierra Club, September 17, 2009
Rather than focus on the specifics of the Gaithersburg West master plan and its impact on the immediate area, I want to take a look at how the proposed development at Gaithersburg West is likely to undermine two of the county's smart growth goals. The first goal is to direct development to Metro station areas. The second is to direct more job growth to the eastern part of the county as a way to correct the current jobs/housing imbalance—more jobs than housing in the west and more people than jobs in the east county.
Darian Unger, Silver Spring Advisory Board, February 16, 2010
The Silver Spring Advisory Board has several concerns related to the proposed Gaithersburg West Master Plan. Most notably, this plan does not appear to advance true smart growth principles and is not the walkable, transit-oriented development that the county should promote. Rather than continuing to concentrate jobs and growth along the northern part of the I-270 corridor, the County should focus new growth in closer-in, higher-density, walkable areas with access to high levels of public transportation.
David Alpert, from the “Gaithersbungle” series on Greater Greater Washington
If this area is going to be a Science City in the next generation, it shouldn't have the huge superblocks and "neverland" FARs more familiar to places like Tysons, which are working so hard to surmount their design flaws. At best, this development will be just another pile of office-park sprawl like so many others in Montgomery County, which will be very hard to transform into anything better a generation or two or three from now. But the danger goes much deeper. By adding so many square feet of office potential so quickly, this project will suck development away from the rest of the County, in places like Shady Grove, White Flint, White Oak, and Silver Spring which actually need it. In other words, it's borrowing from the future to recreate the bad designs of the past.
Donna Baron, The Gaithersburg - North Potomac - Rockville Coalition
The Gaithersburg West Master Plan could be a win-win proposition for everyone, but not as it is currently written and not without meaningful input from the community. The proposed plan is fundamentally flawed and cannot be explained or justified because it has been contrived for one purpose: to put 15,000 people on Belward Farm. Worst of all, it creates a large, dense center five miles from the nearest Metro station, at the request of an ambitious land owner.
Pamela Lindstrom, Residents for Reasonable Development, 9 March 2010
This plan overreaches – it contains too much development based on unrealistic claims about public facilities, the presumption that it’s OK to impose much more crowding on us, faulty fiscal analysis, NO environmental analysis or greenhouse gas analysis. You can’t proceed without coming to grips with these issues.
Audubon Naturalist Society statement on Gaithersburg West Master Plan, October 29, 2009
Since 1897, the Audubon Naturalist Society has worked to protect our region’s natural resources, habitats and watersheds. In keeping with our mission, we find many reasons to oppose the commercial density and scale in the Planning Board’s draft master plan for Gaithersburg West, in particular the plan for the Life Sciences Center (LSC).
Ginny Barnes, Environmental Chair, West Montgomery County Citizens Association (WMCCA)
On behalf of the WMCCA membership, I wish to reaffirm our opposition to the scale of planned development for Belward Farm and the associated Gaithersburg West community. We believe the massive development planned to support 40,000 new residents will result in the degradation of infrastructure and environmental resources in the western county as thousands of vehicles bleed off from the new development and into the supporting network of roads, some of which are rustic and/or pass through special protection areas.
Ethan Goffman, Sierra Club
Gaithersburg West is a hastily conceived project that seems designed to accommodate Johns Hopkins University, rather than part of a thoughtful plan to accommodate the region’s natural growth and serve all of its citizens. It is Smart Growth in name only.
Housing Opportunities Commission
We are aware of the vision of a life sciences and medical service center in this master plan area. Retail and office businesses are also expected. These businesses will offer many jobs with below median pay. Given the job-rich nature of the I-270 Corridor, even those with incomes at or above the median will find it hard to live in the area. Demand which exceeds supply will increase the cost of housing, reducing further the share of employees who can afford to live near the LSC.
Bragi Valgeirsson, The Gaithersburg - North Potomac - Rockville Coalition
In the end this not about science this is about corporate welfare. It’s about JHU asking us to foot the bill for their real estate speculation. Contrary to what we have been told taxpayers will see no benefits from this plan, we are subsidizing it. It clearly favors JHU but offers nothing to the county. This is not a good deal for us. What we need to do is go back to the Planning Board and come up with a plan that it more balanced, offers real benefits to the county, does not require taxpayers to subsidize this effort, has in place strict mitigation for traffic, and allows the biotech industry to flourish.
North Potomac Citizens Association, North Potomac Periodical, Spring 2009
Johns Hopkins University (JHU) has proposed building one of the largest bio-tech centers in the country here in the North Potomac/Gaithersburg/Rockville area. Formally known as the Life Science Center, this “Science City” could include up to 20 million square feet of commercial, academic and residential development. This is more density than downtown Bethesda and National Institutes of Health, combined. Concerned communities and organizations like NPCA are excited about the prospect of a vibrant and world-class bio-tech center in the area. However, we oppose the traffic, overcrowding of schools, congestion and density that the proposed city would bring to the area.
President's Letter – by Liza Wilson Durant, PhD, West Montgomery County Citizens Association, October 2009
There is a compromise, I think – an opportunity to find middle ground among the stakeholders, but there is much work yet to be done and particularly on the sustainability aspect of the plan. I am optimistic that our leaders won’t let our neighbors in Gaithersburg down. But we here in Potomac will be watching closely, as the quality of our life is as much at stake as theirs.
Action Committee for Transit, February 28, 2010
The Gaithersburg West plan, on the other hand, county taxpayers will spend $525 million on roads and highways and ask for an additional $1.3 billion from the state, for a total of almost $2 billion from general transportation revenue. Not only will this use up money that ought to be spent on expanding transit, it will potentially block new sources of transportation revenue, such as an increase in the gas tax, since opponents will be able to frame them as a subsidy to developers of sprawl. Further, much of this $2 billion will go towards road widening and high- speed highways with cloverleaf intersections, which will make it impossible to achieve the avowed goal of creating a transit-oriented community. The six-lane and eight-lane highways and overpasses will divide Gaithersburg West into isolated pods. And within the pods, there are too few streets – a suburban office-park design that will discourage walking and transit use and inconvenience drivers too. To get from one part of Gaithersburg West to another, you will either take a long walk to a giant garage and get into a car, or else wait for an infrequent, heavily-subsidized circulator bus. This sounds a lot like Tysons Corner – which Fairfax County is currently spending an enormous amount of money to fix.
Mary Reardon, Montgomery Preservation, Inc.
The new campus should be part of the farm, not the other way around. In diagrams of the Hopkins plan, the farmstead resembles token green space in some down-county mega-project. Belward Farm’s entire 107 acres has been judged eligible for the National Register, and that was the original environmental setting in the County’s historic designation.
David Hauck, Sierra Club, February 17, 2010
The Montgomery County Group of the Sierra Club is developing a scorecard of Council votes over the last four years. This scorecard will be an important element as we decide on our endorsements for Council in the 2010 elections. The scorecard is unfinished but we want to alert you to one issue that will weigh heavily on our endorsements. This issue, the Life Sciences Center within the Gaithersburg West master plan, will come to you for decisions within the next few months.
Dan Drazan, President, North Potomac Citizen’s Association, March 9, 2010
These constituents of yours represent some of the best educated, most experienced minds in the entire country. They are urban planners, transit experts, environmentalists, and bio-tech employees. They are also community activists, and rush hour commuters who drive along these roads every day and night. Unfortunately, they all share the feeling of being marginalized and ignored by the Council. I caution you that these thousands and thousands of voters from all across the County will remember your actions on the draft Plan come the September primary. Perhaps some of you think that Science City will not be an election issue, that the #1 issue is jobs. We are seeing and hearing otherwise.
North Potomac Citizens Association, Montgomery Countryside Alliance, Residents for Reasonable Development, West Montgomery County Citizens Association, Gaithersburg - North Potomac - Rockville Coalition, Darnestown Civic Association, Montgomery Preservation, Inc., October 19, 2009
We oppose the draft Gaithersburg West Master Plan because it:
• Provides unprecedented density that will dramatically worsen traffic and congestion for tens of thousands of residents.
• Promotes development on Belward Farm that is incompatible with its historic setting, and with surrounding residential communities.
• Permits unprecedented construction that will create pressure on rural areas to absorb additional development and density.
• Lacks effective staging requirements. Existing loopholes allow a great deal of commercial and residential construction to be built prior to the completion of necessary infrastructure.
...no one can rule out that the 2010 at-large election could be decided by a couple thousand votes or less. One large, organized single-interest group could make a difference. So, to answer our own question: is Gaithersburg West a sleeping giant in 2010? It’s too early to say for sure, but it will certainly be a factor. Adam Pagnucco, Maryland Politics Watch
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Minority Business Organizations Support Gaithersburg West Plan
The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Montgomery County, the African-American Chamber of Commerce of Montgomery County, the Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce and the Asian-American Advisory Group have written a joint letter to the County Council expressing support for the Gaithersburg West Master Plan.
They write, "We believe that the plan, as it stands, will result in significant benefits in terms of federal and state investments in public transit infrastructure, parks, and the engagement of key players in the development of the Science Center. We believe that scaling back or further delaying this plan would reduce the expected benefits of the plan, and therefore we oppose such reductions and delays. Furthermore, the plan as it exists already reflects extensive community input and now includes adequate staging requirements, new transportation facilities, more parks and other benefits to the surrounding community."
We reprint the letter below.
Monday, April 05, 2010
On Gaithersburg West
By Hans Riemer.
Strengthening Montgomery County's position as a global destination for science and biotech companies is a smart strategy to create high-paying jobs for residents and improve our tax base for County services. But cultivating this vision and achieving quality of life and environmental goals are not mutually exclusive, as long as we work together to find common ground.
Our way of life in Montgomery County is at a tipping point. Projections show us slipping behind the region in creating high wage jobs, which will bring our tax base down with it. The downward trend is already clearly evident today, and it could become a spiral. With a cratered revenue base, we are forced to slash our school budget, transit service, environmental programs, and our social services safety net.
We are in a real crisis today and we need to turn the ship around.
A new vision for Gaithersburg West can help achieve the goal of repositioning Montgomery County as a leader in green and biotech job creation, recharging our economy and providing a renewed tax base over the long term.
Montgomery County has previously approved bad development plans around Gaithersburg West. The new Gaithersburg West Draft Plan is nearing a vote. In White Flint, the Council worked together to find a consensus position. With some significant changes, the Council can get there on Gaithersburg West, too.
My principal concern with the plan is how to implement a vision that will rely less on cars and more on transit, walking and biking. Montgomery County should not be planning new auto-oriented cities that are sources of new automobile traffic, carbon emissions and toxic runoff, and Gaithersburg West is no exception. The imbalance between jobs and housing for the new workforce would be a major driver of car commuting, and must be addressed.
Development in the plan should be staged around the Corridor Cities Transitway stops first, following the highest transit-oriented design principles. Requirements for freeway interchanges should be removed. Uncertainty about the CCT should not result in development patterns that foist more cars on the road.
In order to ensure that the plan is truly transit oriented, staging plans should be designed so that mode share goals must be achieved in order to continue to the next development stage. Achieving high levels of transit usage is not simply aspirational. It is a necessity. And if the Federal process for the CCT is going to take decades, county and private funding options should be explored. In White Flint, property owners stepped up to the table to finance crucial infrastructure investments.
The most significant concerns about the plan come with stage four development. At a minimum, density development capacity in stage four should be reduced to so that the total plan capacity is 18 million square feet. The mode share goal at that point should increase to 40%, which would likely require a new strategy for reducing auto usage than what is currently contemplated in the plan. Restriction of the number of parking spaces, as in Silver Spring and White Flint, would provide assurance that mode share goals will be achieved.
Due to significant community concerns about stage four, a Master Plan Amendment should be required to proceed to the stage. This will provide a new opportunity for community input on the plan based on real evidence about progress towards the vision. In White Flint, the community and key partners forged an exciting new model for the County to tackle challenging projects, bringing in key stakeholders and working together on a big vision and the smallest details. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Gaithersburg West. The community should be heard.
Together, these proposals will move the plan significantly towards a new model for development in the County, one that adds fewer cars to the road, promotes a higher quality of life for everyone, engages the community in the process and minimizes environmental damage.
A separate but also critical issue that needs to be addressed at the time of the Gaithersburg West deliberations is the impact of this proposal on job growth and community building around transit areas down-county and east-county. Preliminary projections show a startling decline in economic growth for these areas if Gaithersburg West is approved. This does not have to be the case. We must ask now, what changes will be needed to ensure that all of Montgomery County can thrive even as so much new investment flows to the Gaithersburg West area? This discussion should be had before the vote, not after it, and rather than blithe assurances from planners and elected officials we need real data and specific ideas.
Hans Riemer is a candidate for County Council at-large.
