Preserve Our Quality of Life

Traffic

One of the biggest threats to our quality of life is the traffic nightmare we face almost every day.  Roger’s work on the growth policy has made sure that at least there is an acceptable level of “traffic mitigation” before new development can proceed.

But more broadly, Roger recognizes that we will never successfully address our traffic situation unless and until we make a serious effort to take cars off our roads.  The only long-term solution that offers a chance of success is by creating a world class transit system.  Roger has called upon the Governor to make two major state roads, MD 355 (Wisconsin Ave/Rockville Pike) and MD 185 (Conn. Ave.) pilot projects for what Roger has called “Sustainable Transportation Corridors”.  Based on a model adopted in Oregon, the concept is to give priority funding to state roads that act as main streets through our urbanizing areas, integrate planning and transportation thinking, and focus on long-term “sustainable” solutions that promote pedestrian use, more bicycles, and more transit.  Roger’s initiative was immediately embraced by a broad coalition of neighborhoods surrounding Bethesda Navy Medical, smart growth advocates, the BCC Chamber, and environmentalists.    One of the county’s most well known transit activists, Ben Ross, said this about Roger: 

“With the expansion of Bethesda Naval Hospital threatening to overwhelm our community with traffic, Councilmember Berliner's vision of a  “Sustainable Transportation Corridor” from Medical Center to White Flint shows how we can take cars off our roads and build more livable neighborhoods.  This kind of thinking -- forward-looking yet practical -- is needed more than ever in today's world.” 

McMansion Reforms

Another major issue that threatened the character and integrity of Bethesda and Chevy Chase neighborhoods was the explosion of “McMansions.”  It was an issue that Roger promised he would address if given the opportunity to serve on the council.  He did.  He formed a task force of stakeholders, including builders, real estate agents, architects, and neighborhoods leaders that met for almost a year under the guidance of a team of conflict resolution/mediation specialists that donated their time.  The result was a package of meaningful reforms passed by the Council sponsored by Roger that reduced the size of new homes on small lots by up to 20%.  It was a package that builders could live with and neighborhood leaders could embrace. 

As one neighborhood task force member, Doug Bonner, said: 

"Roger Berliner promised to comprehensively tackle the McMansion issue and he delivered.  In our community, it made a huge difference -- and he did it by creating consensus."

C&O Canal Protection

 One of the crown jewels of District 1 is the C&O Canal.  Roger is blessed to live right next to it and keeping it wonderful is a priority for him.  That is why when there was a threat to the quality of the experience and aesthetics of the Canal, Roger jumped in.  There was a proposal that would resulted in unsightly fencing right next to the Canal.  Roger, working with his colleague Councilmember Elrich, drafted and passed legislation that met the needs of the homeowner, but preserved the integrity and the aesthetics of the park.             

Farmer’s Markets

Among the most fun and healthy outings many families in District 1 enjoy involves going to local farmer’s markets.  There, families meet and share community news and they buy healthy, good food.  One of these wonderful markets was told by the county that it would have to close immediately.  Councilmember Berliner stepped in and literally saved the operation that had been serving Bethesda residents for more than 20 years from being kicked out.  Now Roger has introduced legislation that would make sure this will not and can not happen. 

As Cabin John neighbor Jim Heller said about Councilmember Berliner:

“Our neighborhood was about to lose a Farmer’s Market that has served our community for 20 years until Councilmember Berliner stepped in. His intervention and his resulting legislative initiative demonstrate clear leadership and responsiveness to our community. I genuinely appreciate Councilman Berliner’s efforts to save this healthy, environmentally friendly, fixture in the Bethesda community.  It is proof positive why he won The Best County Councilmember Award – he works hard to preserve our quality of life.”