Reappoint Casey Anderson

Letter to County Council, March 7, 2019

Dear Council President Navarro and Members of the Council,

The Action Committee for Transit strongly supports Casey Anderson’s reappointment as Planning Board Chair. For the better part of seven years, he has effectively developed and worked with the Council to encourage more compact mixed use, transit-oriented, and walkable development, an increase in our supply of affordable housing, improvements to our bus and rail transit network, and better bicycle and pedestrian facilities. This work has definitely enhanced our County’s attractiveness as a place in which to live, work, and play.

Some of his important assets are an ability and willingness to clearly explain the ins and outs of complicated multi-faceted issues, to seek out and listen to other points of view, build consensus, and generate innovative solutions and programs. The Purple Line Bethesda station re-conception with a new trail tunnel and redevelopment of the overhead building is one example of the flexibility and imagination that Casey brings to bear on problems.

Casey’s reappointment would provide important continuity of leadership at the Planning Board at a time when the county needs to ensure plans are in place that can ensure the county’s economic development and competitiveness, and equitable access to opportunity. He knows how the Planning Board works, smoothly manages the agency staff, and knows the labyrinth of government process.

For all of these reasons ACT strongly urges you to reappoint Casey Anderson as the Chair of the Planning Board.

Sincerely,

Nick Brand

Action Committee for Transit