New land-use director left Montgomery after development controversy

Berlage quit previous post as planning chair in 2006

Friday, April 3, 2009

A mistake was made in the development of Clarksburg Town Center that led to issuing building permits that violated height and lot size restrictions. It came to symbolize growth and development gone wrong in Montgomery County.

Berlage finished his four-year term as planning board chairman, a top salaried administrative position, but under political pressure did not seek a second term.

"Clarksburg was the shorthand for a significant land-use controversy," Berlage, 53, said Wednesday. "Clarksburg became many things to many people" and became a political issue in campaigns.

As planning commission chairman, his signature was on the permitting documents for the development near Interstate 270 in northern Montgomery County, and "as the head of the agency, I took responsibility," he said.

He completed his four-year term and then remained until a successor was appointed to replace him.

Since that experience three years ago, "I'm a lot smarter than I was before and I look forward to bringing that experience and smarts to St. Mary's County," he said. He leaves his job with the Venable law firm in Rockville as a real-estate attorney.

He has been looking for a house here in St. Mary's. He did not accept a job offer with Charles County government.

Phil Shire, who has been acting director of land use and growth management, will return to his post as deputy director.

The former director, Denis Canavan, died of cancer last December. He took on the job May 13, 2003. "I knew Denis very well," Berlage said, as they began their careers together in Montgomery County.

"He was well loved and those are big shoes to fill," he said.

During the interview process, Berlage told the county commissioners that the department of land use and growth management, under his watch, would offer citizens objective, professional advice and "that we're going to be very good listeners."

Good planning entails looking at the community today and what potential it has for the future, he said.

He said St. Mary's County has a "terrific future ahead of it," and that it has "a beautiful historic past and an exciting high-tech economy."

Commissioner Thomas A. Mattingly Sr. (D) said the board was aware of what happened in Montgomery County. Berlage didn't hide it and his references spoke highly of his handling of the situation.

It was an error at the staff level, a staff of several hundred, Mattingly said. "It didn't appear he had any involvement in it other than taking responsibility for it. We looked at that as a sign of his character — he accepted the responsibility. He ultimately took the responsibility for what was not of his doing," he said.

"He took responsibility for it," said Commission President Francis Jack Russell (D). "The last time I looked this is still America where you get a second chance. The man was qualified. I think he'll be a great asset to St. Mary's County" especially as a liaison to the rest of the state, he said.

Berlage said he wasn't ready to discuss specific land-use matters, but said he was looking forward to the update of the comprehensive land-use plan, the revitalization of Lexington Park and sewer and septic policy.

Berlage has a daughter in college and a son in high school and two horses.

jbabcock@somdnews.com