A top development official for Montgomery and Prince George’s counties has been quietly replaced in what is turning out to be a season of turmoil for county planners.
Oscar Rodriguez, the executive director of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, was replaced in early December, multiple sources within the commission said. He had been in charge of the $345 million agency, which has first say on nearly every major land development in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, for barely two years.
A source with knowledge of the departure said Rodriguez was given one year’s severance and signed a nondisclosure agreement with the commission.
Officials declined to discuss the move in any detail.
“What happened is that he’s no longer with the commission,” agency lawyer Adrian Gardner said, declining further comment.
His replacement comes just as Montgomery Planning Board Chairman Royce Hanson has announced his plans to leave the commission.
The commission has been busy the last few years. Staff and board members have planned and approved developments that will change the Washington suburbs in Maryland for a generation, from National Harbor in Prince George’s County and the White Flint and “Science City” projects in Montgomery County.
But under Rodriguez, the commission has seen controversy. In August, Montgomery Planning Director Rollin Stanley surrendered his government-issued credit card after racking up hundreds of dollars in questionable expenses. Auditors later accused Stanley of trying to block their investigation, giving “misleading and contradictory” answers to questions and lacking “high ethical and professional standards.”
As executive director, Rodriguez was in charge of all administrative matters, including supervising Stanley.
Rodriguez could not be reached for comment for this article.
He started his career in Texas, rising to become a city executive in Austin before being hired by the District of Columbia and serving in the early days of the Fenty administration. When he was hired away by the planning commission, Prince George’s Planning Board Chairman Samuel J. Parker Jr. hailed Rodriguez’ “outstanding depth and breadth of experience.”
Hanson said at the time of Rodriguez’ hiring thathe was “confident” that Rodriguez’ “considerable knowledge and management skills will be of great benefit to the commission and its employees.”
