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Fiscal Responsibility | Land Use | Energy & Environment | Government Transparency | Infrastructure
Transportation | Senior Issues | Public Safety | Education | Parks & Recreation
Fiscal Responsibility
Councilmember Berliner’s Pledge to you: “During these very difficult economic times, we must meet our county’s operating budgetary needs while honoring the charter limit on property taxes. That is my pledge – both this year and next year. That will mean significant sacrifices in programs that many in our community have come to rely upon. Let there be no mistake about this – there will be pain. But I do believe we can tighten the county’s fiscal belt, use this time to eliminate unnecessary functions, and focus on what we must do, not what we would like to do.”
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Land Use
INFILL LEGISLATION REFORM
Councilmember Berliner sponsored Infill Legislation which reduces the size of new homes on small lots. This Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) No 08-11 amends the Montgomery County Zoning Ordinance to:
- amend the provisions concerning an established building line;
- require regulations to implement the provision concerning a sloping lot;
- amend the maximum height for certain lots in the R-200 zones;
- amend the maximum building coverage for certain lots in certain one-family residential zones; &
- generally amend the development standards for one-family residential zones
The ZTA was adopted Dec. 9, 2008 and will be effective Apr. 28, 2009. To read Councilmember Berliner’s entire statement on Infill Reform click here.
Infill articles In the News:
- Montgomery Votes to Scale Back Size of New Homes Legislation Is Designed To Fight Mansionization' - Washington Post (pdf | 1MB)
- Montgomery homeowners face restrictions on additions to properties - DC Examiner
- Council Curbs McMansions: New law will limit towering heights in neighborhoods - Gazette
DEFENSE BASE CLOSURE & REALIGNMENT COMMISSION (BRAC)
The Department of Defense and the Base Realignment and Closure (“BRAC”) Commission worked to identify mission enhancing efficiencies for U.S. military bases and operations. In November 2005 the Congress approved, and President Bush signed into law, final recommendations that directed the closure of some bases and the realignment of military components throughout the country. The BRAC law requires all these movements to be completed by September 2011. Under BRAC, Walter Reed Army Naval Medical Center will close and move most of its functions to the National Navy Medical Center in Bethesda. The consolidated facility, renamed Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), will gain approximately 2,500 new jobs and outpatient visits could double to 1 Million annually. For the September 2008 update from Councilmember Berliner on BRAC related transportation funding, click here. For comprehensive information, visit the BRAC website.
WHITE FLINT SECTOR PLAN
The Montgomery County Planning Department is currently working on redevelopment plans for the White Flint area. The goal of a new “White Flint Sector Plan” is to create a thriving transit-oriented, mixed-use community through the use of sustainable development practices and strategies that encourage walkability and the use of public transportation. For Councilmember Berliner’s recent statement on the White Flint Sector Plan, click here or see the Park and Planning website for additional information.
WOODMONT EAST
As a result of Councilmember Berliner's work with the community, the developer of Woodmont East and the Montgomery County Planning department, Woodmont East now includes plans for an urban park. The proposed buildings have been scaled down to better fit the small urban space and accommodate multiple users. For the complete history of the project as well as an update, please click here.
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Energy & Environment
GLOBAL WARMING LEGISLATION
This comprehensive package of 26 initiatives is designed to attack the issue of global warming at its source – in our transportation, building and utility sectors through energy efficiency, renewable energy, alternative fuels, trees, land use, and utility advocacy. The following are some examples of the initiatives included in Councilmember Berliner’s global warming bills:
- Require new home construction to meet EPA energy star standards
- Require the sale of low carbon gasoline at retail stations County-wide (when available)
- Increase fuel economy standards and use of biofuels for County vehicle fleet
- Elimination (or justification for use) of SUVs in the County fleet
- Development of a Renewable Energy Action Plan, including exploration of creating a Sustainable Energy Fund
- Provide property tax credits for solar and geothermal energy uses Include climate change as factor in drafting of County Planning Board's master and sector plans
- Create a new Office of Ratepayer Advocate to advocate for the lowest energy rates consistent with environmental stewardship
- Request recommendations from the Executive regarding conversion of the current energy tax into a carbon tax and joining an emissions "cap and trade" program
The Comprehensive Global Warming Legislation was enacted April 22, 2008
HOME ENERGY LOAN (Retrofit) PROGRAM (HELP)
HELP will simultaneously (1) significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, (2) put money in our constituents pockets through savings on their utility bill, and (3) promote a Montgomery County green economy. Under HELP, a homeowner would voluntarily obtain a home energy audit to identify a comprehensive list of cost effective measures. The homeowner would then take the results of the audit to the County, which would provide a zero or low interest loan to make the improvements. Click here for Councilmember Berliner’s full statement on HELP.
Press Release Dated Feb. 24, 2009: Montgomery Councilmember Berliner Says 'HELP Is on the Way' Council's Lead Member for Energy & Environment Introduces Zero Interest Financing Plan to Retrofit Homes
PROPERTY TAX CREDIT - RENEWABLE ENERGY AMENDMENTS
As a result of Councilmember Berliner’s Climate Protection legislation, residents of Montgomery County can now qualify for a property tax credit if you install a renewable energy conservation device. The county has an overall allowance of up to $250K of credits in the fiscal year. On a renewable energy solar or geothermal energy device, citizens can get up to 50% of eligible costs with a cap of $5,000 for a heating system or $1,500 for a hot water supply system. Credits for energy conservation devices are up to $250 per household. The Tax Credit application form is available at the Montgomery County Department of Finance website.
SMART GRID
The "Smart Grid" program will be coming to the Maryland Suburbs! The proposal for Smart meters will be installed in homes in Bethesda and Fort Washington if approved by the Maryland Public Service Commission. The meters record how much and when electricity is used each month and can communicate with Pepco to indicate power outages. The pilot program would also include sensors on circuits at two substations that have a history of power outages. The sensors would allow Pepco to identify, isolate and fix the problems more quickly. Click here for Councilmember Berliner’s entire statement on Pepco’s Smart Grid Program.
CLIMATE PROTECTION TARIFF
This proposal would require utilities statewide to implement a voluntary “Climate Protection Tariff”. The supplemental monthly tariff would allow residential customers to become “climate neutral” with respect to their consumption of electricity to combat global warming. The voluntary additional tariff would support initiatives such as the planting of trees or other measures to achieve carbon neutrality. Click here for Councilmember Berliner’s statement on the Climate Protection Tariff.
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Government Transparency
SPENDING DISCLOSURE BILL
The spending disclosure legislation sponsored by Councilmember Berliner was enacted on February 24, 2009. The Bill (Bill 1-09, Spending Disclosure) requires the County to develop and operate a searchable public website displaying information on certain County payments to contractors and grantees that total more than $25,000 in any fiscal year. This is an important step in achieving greater government accountability and transparency for the taxpayers of Montgomery County. A similar law at the federal level was sponsored by then-Senator Obama, and our Maryland State Senator Raskin sponsored a similar measure at the state level.
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Infrastructure
WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY COMMISSION (WSSC)
This winter we have seen a disturbing number of water main breaks – big and small. The break on River Road was frightening and highlighted for all of us the urgent need for infrastructure improvements in our water and sewer system. For more information from Councilmember Berliner, click here.
POTOMAC ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY (Pepco)
Councilmember Berliner and his colleagues held a Public Hearing with Pepco to address the numerous power outages experienced in Montgomery County. For more information, click here.
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Transportation
PURPLE LINE
Councilmember Berliner and his colleagues on the Council concurred with the county’s Planning Board and the County Executive and voted unanimously to recommend to the State that it build the Purple Line as a light rail transit system along the alignment which has been in the County’s Master Plan since 1990. For Councilmember Berliner’s complete statement, click here.
SIDEWALK AMENDMENT
Councilmember Berliner sponsored an amendment to the County’s Road Code which will preserve community integrity and limit sidewalk and curb lane closures, protecting pedestrians and businesses. The overhaul of the County’s Road Code includes two significant provisions that will serve to protect “the character” of existing neighborhoods and prevent sidewalk and curb lane closures during urban construction. For more information, see the press release or Bill 48-06, Streets and Roads, Comprehensive Revision.
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Senior Issues
AGING IN PLACE
Councilmember Berliner is keenly aware of the growing number of seniors in our County and in District 1. At the end of 2008, he attended the Senior Summit organized and hosted by County Executive Leggett and had the opportunity to participate in a small group worksession on housing issues facing our older residents. For more information, click here.
SENIOR FORUMS
On Friday, March 6, Councilmember Berliner hosted a Senior Forum at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad United States Senator Ben Cardin was our featured speaker, along with Stan Hinden, former Washington Post financial writer and author of How to Retire Happy; and Commander Russ Hamill from the Montgomery County Police Department. To read Mr. Hinden’s speech on Living for Less, click here. There were 20+ vendors represented, all from Agencies geared towards providing information and services to seniors. This was an extremely successful event with more than 200 people in attendance. If you missed this most informative event, check back here for more information on future Senior Forum events.
ADDITIONAL SENIOR SERVICES
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Public Safety
HOME INVASIONS
On Sep. 16, 2008, Councilmember Berliner, along with County Executive Leggett and the Police, held a Community Meeting at Seven Locks Elementary School to address the Homicide and Home Invasions in District 1. For Councilmember Berliner’s comments on the Bethesda homicide and home invasion cases solved by police, click here.
AMBULANCE FEES
Councilmember Berliner Opposes Proposed Ambulance Fee. Click here for Councilmember Berliner’s complete statement on the proposed Emergency Medical Services Transport Fee.
DC Examiner article dated Nov. 19, 2008: Four vow to vote no on ambulance fees
Council Vice President Phil Andrews, along with council members Valerie Ervin, Duchy Trachtenberg and Roger Berliner, said Tuesday they would vote against the fee. top
Education
PHYSICAL EDUCATION (PE)
Councilmember Berliner requests more time for Physical Education (PE). As you all know, the No Child Left Behind mandate has put enormous pressure on our teachers and our children. As high stakes testing becomes more and more influential on curricular decisions, time for recess, the arts, and physical education seems to be getting squeezed out of the school day. Councilmember Berliner has heard this concern voiced by many parents with school aged children and he shares this concern. In March 2008, Councilmember Berliner and Councilmember Ervin sent a letter to the Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jerry Weast, and members of the Board of Education calling for more PE in our schools.
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Parks and Recreation
SCOTLAND COMMUNITY CENTER
Councilmember Berliner's makes a commitment to the residents of Scotland to renovate the Scotland Community Center. For the complete statement, click here.
Memo dated Feb. 15, 2008: Councilmembers Berliner, Ervin, Leventhal and Trachtenberg write memo to other Councilmembers asking for additional funding in the FY 2009 – FY 2014 CIP for the planning and design of the Scotland, Good Hope, and Ross Boddy Recreation Centers. (see memo - pdf | 21kb)
Newspaper Articles:
- Gazette Article dated Feb. 27, 2008: Councilmember Berliner advocated for funding for Scotland Community Center.
At the meeting, Councilman Roger Berliner (D-Dist. 1) of Potomac pledged his support to the renovation of the community centers and said he felt confident that dollars and votes could be found. "You have my absolute commitment that this will be my top priority,' Berliner said at the meeting.
- Gazette Article dated Feb 20, 2008: Council panel supports funding for rec. centers.
"The bottom line for me and a majority of the council is we made a commitment to these people and we have to honor the commitment, particularly with Scotland," said Councilman Roger Berliner, whose district includes the Scotland community. "We can't be like Lucy and Charlie Brown with the football and jerk it away." top
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