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Clarksburg Intentions Vary From Its Reality
New residences rise next to an old church in the Chapel Point section of the community of Clarksburg, which was planned to include a series of subdivisions surrounding a pedestrian-friendly town center.
(By Dennis Drenner For The Washington Post)
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The apparent code violations, uncovered by a group of Clarksburg residents, exposed confusion over which county agency is responsible for enforcing building standards in subdivisions under construction.
Part of the confusion might be attributable to Clarksburg's status under county regulations as a "floating zone," a designation that gives developers greater latitude to be creative.
In these zones, created primarily in areas earmarked for a combination of commercial and residential uses, the county Department of Park and Planning is responsible for enforcing height and setback requirements. The planning department, an offshoot of the county planning board, reports to the County Council.
But in the case of Clarksburg Town Center, officials in the planning department said they thought the Department of Permitting Services, overseen by Duncan, was responsible.
Rose Krasnow, chief of the planning department's Development Review Division, said her office probably wouldn't have caught the builders' mistakes even if she had known it was her responsibility.
"I have three inspectors for the entire county, so we are basically a complaint-driven process," Krasnow said.
Officials said there are ample signs of progress. A middle school opened in the area last year, and a high school is under construction. Roads are being expanded, and a library is planned. Duncan and council members said another fire station will be built soon.
Still, some officials said they wonder whether the difficulties in Clarksburg are an aberration or the consequences of a larger pattern of official neglect.
"Is this something that is slowly happening in Montgomery County and more corners are being cut?" asked Del. Jean B. Cryor (R-Montgomery), who plans to look into the matter. "I never thought I would see this."
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