During the worst recession in generations, Montgomery County seeks to revitalize its economy by adopting new zoning in strategic areas, enabling taller and denser buildings near transit stations.

Ideally, this policy should add value to property, attract new residents, jobs, investment and housing and thereby generate healthy economic activity for businesses of all sizes. However, in recent weeks, small businesses in areas of the county undergoing (or being planned for) redevelopment have expressed increasing restiveness.

Tenants at Pike Center (the Rockville Pike shopping strip where Walmart has proposed to locate) allege that because both that center and Mid-Pike Plaza are redeveloping soon, the price of other nearby leases is rising. They say finding new, affordable space when their leases expire will be difficult.

However, Andrea Jolly, executive director of the Rockville Chamber of Commerce, says the retail market in Rockville is still slack and she can help connect potential tenants with landlords.

In Wheaton, Long Branch and Takoma-Langley, ethnic businesses and nonprofit groups including Casa of Maryland and the Latino Economic Development Council have formed Fair Development Coalitions to prevent gentrification.

In each of these areas, the county's vision of mixed-use, transit-oriented development calls for extensive ground-floor retail opportunities. Small businesses are asking local government to ensure this vision is achieved and that it is not simply a slogan.

Especially in a sluggish economy, the private market should easily match tenants and landlords at a price agreeable to both. But because local government has enthusiastically embraced upzoning of these properties, I believe we must ask the following questions:

Ÿ What is the status of the commercial/retail leasing market? Is there sufficient vacant space to allow businesses that must relocate to find new locations at a reasonable price? Are we doing enough to forecast the condition of this market after the upzoning we propose takes effect?

Ÿ What should our Department of Economic Development and our Regional Service Centers do to reach out to businesses located in redevelopment areas? Should we establish a small business hotline to enable such businesses to get access easily to technical assistance and other government help? Do we have a special obligation to assist businesses during transition periods while construction is under way that may inhibit customer access?

Ÿ Are local chambers of commerce sufficiently engaged with the businesses they serve? Can government help to introduce private sector resources to each other?

Ÿ What can be done under law to ensure ongoing opportunity for small leaseholders in redevelopment areas? At my request, County Council staff determined we cannot use zoning law to discriminate against chain or non-local business. We can, however, require property owners to provide a certain amount of small lease opportunities that will be affordable and attractive for independent "mom and pop" retailers.

Change is inevitable, and the private market will always be the primary driving force in determining our business landscape. But there are steps local government can and should take to ensure that our vision of revitalization includes everybody. If we do, we have a greater chance of reducing unemployment, retaining wealth in our own community, and preserving the diversity that we say we value.

George L. Leventhal, Takoma Park

The writer is an at-large member of the Montgomery County Council.