Montgomery County Planning Board chairman Derick Berlage announced May 2 that he has withdrawn his application for appointment to a second term as chair.
Berlage said the County Council would receive a better field of candidates without an incumbent in the running and that having a new chair will provide a "fresh start" for the county's planning agency.
"By today’s announcement I make it possible for me and the agency I lead to focus all of our attention on reforming our development review process without the distraction of a lengthy reappointment debate," he said.
His term expires June 14.
Planning Board members are appointed by the Montgomery Council. The board is the council's principal adviser on land use and community planning and board members also sit on the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, together with members of the Prince George's County Planning Board.
Berlage has been criticized by citizens and some officials for lax oversight of planning rules leading to a slew of height and setback violations in the new Clarksburg Town Center.
"When we have fallen short, as we did in Clarksburg, we have owned the problems and we have fixed the problems," Berlage said and the Montgomery County community can have "enormous confidence" in the planning department's work.
The council had promised that Berlage — a former councilmember — would receive careful consideration, but has also made public pleas for additional candidates.
In a statement, Council President George Leventhal called Berlage an "outstanding public servant," citing the acquisition of 1,600 acres of new parkland and efforts to protect the Agricultural Reserve and increase affordable housing under Berlage's watch.
Leventhal also stated that he would "make no commitment to any candidate ... until the close of the application deadline to ensure that, at least by me, all candidates are fully and fairly considered."
Potomac resident Wendell Holloway, a member of the Montgomery County Board of Appeals, is among at least six applicants to replace Berlage.