The pool of candidates for Montgomery County Planning Board chair shrank by one Tuesday, despite — or perhaps because of — County Council efforts to widen the search.
Incumbent Chairman Derick Berlage, who had submitted his name for a second four-year term, withdrew it Tuesday to clear the field for a fresh face to take over the embattled board.
“First, a new chairman will help to give the Park and Planning Commission a fresh start,” Berlage said in a statement.
“Second, it is essential that we get the best qualified field of candidates for this critical county position, and that is most likely when there is no incumbent in the field.”
He also said he wants to finish his term focusing on reforms already under way.
The Planning Board chair — called the most powerful appointed position in the county — sets the agenda for all planning, zoning and land use decisions.
Berlage’s withdrawal leaves five candidates for the spot, and council members continue to insist that the process is open despite media reports suggesting otherwise.
“I will make no commitment to any candidate before the close of the [May 31] deadline” to apply, said Council President George Leventhal.
Berlage earns $133,900 and the council has advertised the position as paying in the $134,000 to $150,000 range.
“Unless we make it clear we have an open process, many qualified candidates do not apply,” said Council Member Tom Perez.
Berlage took the helm four years ago, shortly after resigning his County Council seat.
His term was marred by many building code violations in the Clarksburg Town Center projects, approved behind closed doors by commission staff after the public access ended.
“When we have fallen short, as we did in Clarksburg, we have owned the problems and we have fixed the problems,” Berlage saidTuesday. “But rest assured that our successes outnumber our failures by about 10 to 1.”
He declined to comment Tuesday on any future plans or employment prospects, saying he wanted to focus on reform in his remaining months.
Four years of change
During Berlage’s tenure as Planning Board chair:
» 1,600 acres of new parkland added
» 80 percent reduction in the parks maintenance backlog
» Master plans approved for Shady Grove, Woodmont Triangle, Olney, Upper Rock Creek and Damascus
