Montgomery County Council Reaffirms Reappointment of James Hedrick to the Montgomery County Planning Board – Mocofeed

The Council appointed Commissioner Hedrick to the Planning Board in 2023 and reappointed him on July 28, 2026. On Aug. 27, the Council received notification from County Executive Marc Elrich about his decision to disapprove James Hedrick’s reappointment. Today’s vote reaffirms Commissioner Hedrick’s new four-year term on the Planning Board.   

“The Council has once again confirmed our support for Commissioner Hedrick because his housing expertise and insights are needed to continue moving our County forward,” said Council President Natali Fani-González, who also serves as chair of the Council’s Economic Development Committee. “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. The Council remains confident in Commissioner Hedrick’s ongoing public service on the Planning Board.” 

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The Council acted swiftly and deliberately on Commissioner Hedrick’s reappointment, as councilmembers remain focused on maintaining and supporting the essential work of the Planning Board. Nine votes were needed to reaffirm the reappointment. The Council vote was unanimous among those present.

Commissioner Hedrick has spent his career working in community development and affordable housing. Before serving on the Planning Board, Commissioner 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, Commissioner 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. 

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.