Do you know what to do if...

...a special exception or a variance is requested in your neighborhood?

...a rezoning application in requested in your neighborhood?

...a subdivision or site plan is filed in your neighborhood?

The Montgomery County Council has established the Office of the People’s Counsel to help you understand and participate effectively in hearings on land use decisions in your neighborhood.
 

About the Office

The People’s Counsel will provide you with technical assistance to help you understand the process so that you can present your case effectively in public hearings held by the Board of Appeals, the Office of Zoning and Administrative Hearings, and the Planning Board.

Additionally, the People’s Counsel will participate in land use hearings to protect the public interest by ensuring that the hearing addresses all relevant issues.

If the People’s Counsel participates in a hearing, the People’s Counsel can appeal to court a decision of the County Council, Board of Appeals, or Planning Board.

The People’s Counsel would like to address your organization. Please call the number below to arrange a meeting.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please call us at 240-777-9700.

Mission - top

The Montgomery County Council has established two basic objectives for the Office of the People's Counsel:

• To help citizens understand and participate effectively in land use hearings.
• To protect the public by participating in land use hearings to ensure that all relevant zoning and planning issues are addressed.

Activities - top

The People's Counsel provides technical assistance to citizens and citizens associations to promote an understanding of the County's land use processes and to ensure effective citizen participation in hearings on rezonings, special exceptions, variances, subdivision, and site plans.

The People's Counsel participates in hearings before the Board of Appeals, the Hearing Examiner, and the Planning Board. When participating in a hearing the People's Counsel is a party of record and is entitled to notices, can make motions, introduce evidence, call witnesses, cross-examine witnesses, and make arguments warranted by law and evidence.

The People's Counsel submits an annual report to the Council on the activities of the office.

Legal Basis - top

The Office of the People's Counsel was established in 1999. The objectives, powers and duties of the Office are found in Section 1A-204 and 2-150 of the Montgomery County Code.

Staff - top

The County Council appointed Martin Klauber as the first People's Counsel of Montgomery County on December 6, 1999. Fran Hissong is the Office's executive administrative aide.

How to Contact Us - top

Martin Klauber, People's Counsel
100 Maryland Avenue, Room 226
Rockville, Maryland 20850

Telephone : (240) 777-9700
Fax : (240) 777-9705

Click here for our Customer Satisfaction Survey.  You will only be able to respond to the survey once.

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