Questionnaire - Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce

Planning Board Commissioner Candidate Questionnaire

Name: Alan S. Bowser

1. Describe briefly why you believe you are the best candidate for the open Commissioner position on the Montgomery County Planning Board.

There are many reasons why I believe that I am the best candidate for appointment to the Montgomery County Planning Board. I have over three decades of professional experience as an economist, attorney, and public policy analyst in the private and public sectors, dealing with such issues as energy, environment, transportation, housing and business development. In Montgomery County, I have been engaged in a broad range planning and design programs, including the Silver Spring Civic Building, the Silver Spring Library, Silver Place, and the Bi-County Transitway aka Purple Line, through my service as an appointed member of several County Boards and committees. I have developed constructive relationships with many civic organizations throughout Montgomery County, with the County Executive and County Council, with the State delegation, with the private sector in Silver Spring and Montgomery County, and with the Planning Board staff. I have worked extensively with individuals and organizations throughout the County on issues such as transportation, environmental protection, housing, and historic preservation. My personal engagement with Silver Spring and Montgomery County civic and service organizations has been the most extensive of the Planning Board candidates. I believe that I have the necessary experience, judgment, character, and integrity to serve on the Montgomery County Planning Board.

2. Describe your experience with the Planning Board or the Park & Planning Commission.

I have extensive experience with the Montgomery County Planning Board as a result of my service on the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board, the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services Advisory Board, as an Alternate Member of the Planning Board’s Functional Master Plan Advisory Group (MPAG) for the Purple Line, and as President of the Park Hills Civic Association. My experience as a member of the Silver Spring Arts & Entertainment District Advisory Committee, the Presidents’ Council of Silver Spring Civic Associations (PREZCO), and as President of the Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. have also provided opportunities to be engaged with the Planning Board and Commission staff. I have testified before the Planning Board on transportation and local development issues, and I have attended many Planning Board meetings and Board-sponsored seminars.

3. What issues or topics currently being before the Planning Board do you consider to be a priority, and why?

I’m particularly interested in the Board’s recommendations for the Growth Policy and the revision of the County’s Zoning Code. I believe that the Board’s conclusions and recommendations about mixed used development, housing adequate public facilities, traffic, design and sustainability will greatly affect the County Council’s deliberations about these issues and the direction that the County will take in the future.

4. What do you believe are the priorities for future development in Silver Spring?

There are many priorities for future development in Silver Spring: new transit options; additional mixed use development, architectural design excellence, environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, preservation and development of green & open space, economic and business development, support of the arts & humanities, support of established neighborhoods.

5. Do you support the Purple Line in the recommended alignment?

Yes. I support the light rail mode and the Wayne Avenue alignment, as recommended by the Planning Board, the County Council and the County Executive.

6. What is your understanding of and position on efforts to bring the Fillmore Music Hall to the old J.C. Penney site in Silver Spring?

I have been a strong supporter of bringing the Fillmore to Coleville Road in Silver Spring. As a member of the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board, as a member of the Silver Spring Arts & Entertainment District Advisory Committee, as the President of the Silver Spring Town Center, Inc., as President of the Park Hills Civic Association, and as a member of the President’s Council of Silver Spring Civic Associations, I have been very involved in issues related to the Fillmore since it was proposed. I have had an opportunity to discuss the related issues with the County Executive, the Chairman of the Planning Board, members of the County Council, representatives of the Lee Development Company and Live Nation, and have been briefed on the issue County staff.

7. How would you balance the desires of historic preservation with the need to assure the economic viability of Silver Spring?

I think “balance” is a good word in this context, our need for economic viability, growth and development in Silver Spring should be tempered with a concern for historic preservation. Preservation of important historic structures supports economic viability, growth and development.

8. Silver Spring is in a Metro Policy Area. Would you support increasing residential density in Metro Policy Areas?

I support increasing residential density in Metro Policy Areas.

9. If an application meets the requirements of the law, but is opposed by neighbors or the community, should that application be approved?

Yes, if an application meets the requirements of the law, the application should be approved.

10. Are there any issues with which you think the planning board should be involved in that it is not currently?

I think that the Planning Board and the Commission staff presently have an ambitious agenda.

11. Where do you see Silver Spring in the continuum of its revitalization?

I agree with those who say that Silver Spring is not done yet. While there has been significant positive progress, there is much more to be done with regard to business and economic development, the creation of jobs, affordable housing, promotion of the arts and humanities, and the improvement and maintenance of Silver Spring’s infrastructure. Montgomery Hills and Long Branch are two areas in particular where there is a need for revitalization.