Today the Montgomery County Council reappointed James Hedrick to the Montgomery County Planning Board, which serves as the County’s principal land use and planning advisor. Planning Board members also serve as commissioners of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and protect parkland resources across the County.
“As the former vice chair of the Montgomery County Planning Board, I know how important it is to support growth as we shape the future of our County through land use and planning decisions,” said Council President Natali Fani-González, who also serves as chair of the Council’s Economic Development Committee. “James Hedrick has the expertise we need to continue helping us move our County forward. I look forward to his second term on the Planning Board.”
First appointed in 2023, Dr. Hedrick has spent his career working in community development and affordable housing. Before serving on the Planning Board, Dr. Hedrick was a federal employee and now serves as the executive director of Rockville Housing Enterprises, which is the public housing authority for the City of Rockville. Additionally, Dr. Hedrick previously served on the Action Committee for Transit, Montgomery for All, and the Twinbrook Community Association. He completed his PhD in political science at Rice University and holds degrees in public policy and anthropology.
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Councilmember Dawn Luedtke nominated Dr. Hedrick for reappointment, and the Council vote was unanimous among those present.
The Planning Board’s responsibilities include preparing and proposing amendment to the Montgomery County General Plan, master plans and functional plans, proposing amendments to the subdivision regulations and preparing and making recommendations on text amendments to the Montgomery County Zoning Code. The Planning Board implements area master plans and the subdivision process by reviewing and approving preliminary plans, site plans and other plans for development and provides advice about the planning implications of capital facilities and other infrastructure.
Additionally, the Planning Board comments, under its mandatory referral authority, about plans for public facilities of local, state, and federal agencies and proposes the work program and annual operating budget for the Planning Department and the Commission’s bi-county offices.
The Planning Board also sits as the Park Commission and proposes the annual Parks Department operating budget and capital improvements program and establishes park policies and fees. Land acquisition contracts and major development contracts for parks development plans and park facilities are approved by the Planning Board.
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Planning Board members generally serve four-year terms and are limited to two full terms. No more than three members of the Planning Board may be from the same political party, and each member must be a resident and registered voter of Montgomery County when appointed. Visit the Montgomery County Planning Board’s website to learn more.
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