|
BALTIMORE REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP Newsletter
Land Use and Transportation Issues Around the Region
October 26, 2001
_____________________________
Contents:
*Panel Approves Transportation Plan
*Nov. 7 Event Looks to Regional Agenda for 2002
*Report Card: Loss of Open Space Hurts Bay
*Campaign on Commuting Incentives Launched
*Baltimore Co. Meetings Discuss Suburban Development
*Baltimore Neighborhood Indicators Alliance Launched
*Citizens Concerned About New MD 32 Spending
*Potential to Preserve 354 Acres in Howard
*Sprawl Bad For Your Health
*Calendar of Events
_____________________________
PANEL APPROVES TRANSPORTATION PLAN
On October 23, 2001 representatives of The Baltimore region's local
governments and the Maryland Department of Transportation voted
unanimously to approve plans for transportation investments for the next
25 years. The plans include more than $6 billion dollars in
transportation construction projects weighted toward highway and
interchange expansion. The long range plan does include more than $600
million for commuting alternatives, but the panel rebuffed calls from
the Baltimore Regional Partnership to advance those programs to the
near-term plan for the next five years. The plan also includes nearly
$500 million in highway widenings outside Priority Funding Areas,
seemingly in conflict with state Smart Growth policy. Harford County
and Baltimore County did delete or modify $140 million in highway
widening projects in rural areas, something "unheard of" until this
year, according to Baltimore County representative J. Craig Forrest.
For more information on the plans go to http://www.baltometro.org
and
click in "What's New." For the full text of the Partnership
comments on
the plans, go to: http://www.balto-region-partners.org/brtpcmt2.htm.
_____________________________
NOV. 7 EVENT LOOKS TO REGIONAL AGENDA FOR 2002
In an ongoing effort to promote regional thinking to develop regional
solutions, CPHA's Campaign for Regional Solutions is hosting another
community-oriented event on Weds., November 7. Participants in the
event will help choose issues that will be the focus of efforts in next
year's General Assembly and for a summer 2002 rally. The event will be
held 6:00 to 9:00 PM at Lansdowne Senior High School at 3800 Hollins
Ferry Road. Citizens will have the opportunity to caucus with others
from their own county or city to share ideas about how best to link
issues within each jurisdiction to regionwide efforts, especially as the
policy debates heat up in preparation for next year's state and county
elections. There will be four workgroups at the November 7th meeting:
Transportation and Land Use, Housing and Community Conservation, Drug
Treatment, and Other Issues and Concerns. For more information, visit:
http://www.CPHARegionalCampaign.org.
_____________________________
REPORT CARD: LOSS OF OPEN SPACE HURTS BAY
The health of the Chesapeake Bay declined by a point on a scale of 100,
hampered by sprawl development, water pollution and threats to the blue
crab fishery according to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's annual report
card on the bay's health. CBF officials said after two decades of modest
improvement the bay remains out of balance and in increasing danger of
failure. The Foundation gave the Bay a score of 27, the first decline
in recent years. The perfect score of 100 represents the condition of
the Bay when the first European settlers arrived. The level will never
be achieved, but a score of 70 would be very acceptable, according to
Foundation supporters. For the full report go the foundations Website
at http://www.savethebay.cbf.org.
October 24 Sun story available at:
http://www.sunspot.net/news/printedition/bal-md.bay24oct24.story.
October 23 Washington Post story available at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A42795-2001Oct23.html
_____________________________
CAMPAIGN ON COMMUTING INCENTIVES LAUNCHED
There is such a thing as a free ride, according to a new public
information campaign launched by the Maryland Department of
Transportation . A series of ads has been running in the Baltimore
television viewing are highlighting the advantages to employees (free
ride) and employers (tax credit) that can help ease the traffic
congestion that plagues the region. When companies enroll in the
program for their employees, they receive a 50% tax credit for the cost
of the monthly transit pass that enables employees to ride free anywhere
in the region. For complete details visit the Maryland Department of
Transportation’s website: http://www.commuterchoicemaryland.com
_________________________________________
BALTIMORE CO. MEETINGS DISCUSS SUBURBAN DEVELOPMENT
Following a September survey of Baltimore County residents' preferences
for suburban development, county officials will discuss follow-up action
in a series of town meetings over the next three months. The survey,
which included more than 100 participants has helped planners identify
citizens' preferences regarding housing types, architectural features,
streetscapes, parking and design of open space. The surveys and the
opinions expressed during the town meetings will help the county develop
new rules regarding residential development that will shape the
appearance of county development well into the future. Visit their
website for more detailed information and a list of the dates and
locations for the town meetings:
http://www.co.ba.md.us/p.cfm/news/suburban.cfm
_____________________________________
BALTIMORE NEIGHBORHOOD INDICATORS ALLIANCE LAUNCHED
This month marked the official launch of the Baltimore Neighborhood
Indicators Alliance's new website. This group, formed under the
guidance of the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Association of
Baltimore Area Grantmakers, is working on the development and use of
neighborhood-level information systems for local policy making and
neighborhood building activities. Get the full picture by visiting
their website at http://www.bnia.org
_____________________________
CITIZENS CONCERNED ABOUT NEW MD 32 SPENDING
Nearby residents of western, rural Howard County are concerned that the
State Highway Administration is moving to purchase right-of-way to widen
Route 32 to four lanes, despite opposition from residents in the area
and a lack of exploration of alternatives. The Maryland Department of
Transportation's new draft six-year transportation plan includes $6
million to acquire right-of-way. The six-year plan, known as the
Consolidated Transportation Program, will be the focus of a 7:00 PM
meeting in the George Howard Building on November 8. See "Calendar of
Events" below for more details. Howard County Times story available
at:
http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpID=573&NewsID=199303&CategoryID=742&show=localnews&om=1
_____________________________
POTENTIAL TO PRESERVE 354 ACRES IN HOWARD
Permissive rural zoning and high demand for development in western
Howard County have stymied many efforts to preserve farmland in that
county, but the recent application of five farmers together has the
potential to save more than 350 acres of open space, albeit at
substantial cost. October 24 Sun story available at:
http://www.sunspot.net/news/printedition/bal-ho.agboard24oct24.story.
_____________________________
SPRAWL BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH
Not only is has sprawl been credited with degradation of community and
the environment, it is now receiving the focus of research efforts under
the auspices of the Centers for Disease Control. According to Dr.
William H. Dietz, director of the Division of Nutrition and Physical
Activity at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, suburban
landscapes forces people to drive to many destinations and can virtually
rules out the opportunity to walk and be active on a regular basis. For
the full text of an article going into greater detail visit:
http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/281/metro/Suburban_sprawl_seen_as_health_hazard+.shtml
_____________________________________
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
October 26-27
*Summit V The Economics of Place, Maryland Department of Natural
Resources, Tawes Building Cafeteria. Summit V is the start of a
dedicated process toward dramatic change in land use patterns. Effort
seeks to can save rural land and money increase property values, and
establish settlement patterns that work for people and the environment.
Key participants include David Morris, Ed Risse, and Michael Shuman.
Cost: $45 includes Friday Dinner, Saturday lunch and coffee breaks.
Space is limited. To register or for more information contact Anne
Pearson, Alliance for Sustainable Communities, at 410-956-1002 or
aplace@toad.net.
October 29
*Urban Transportation Summit, 8:00 AM -1:30 PM, Schaefer Engineering
Bldg., Morgan State University, 5200 Perring Parkway. Hosted by the
National Transportation Center at MSU. Speakers include MSU President
Earl Richardson, Mayor Martin O'Malley, and Congressman Elijah Cummings.
Registration is $75. More information available at
http://www.eng.morgan.edu/~ntc.
October 30
*Making Connections: A Joint Event by 1000 Friends of Maryland and the
National Center for Smart Growth, 4:00 - 8:30 PM, University of Maryland
College Park School of Architecture. Afternoon session on
revitalization begins at 4:00 PM. Evening session including 1000
Friends of Maryland Annual Meeting and presentation of a special award
to Gov. Parris N. Glendening begins at 7:00 PM. $35 for per ticket.
More information available at
http://www.friendsofmd.org/01annualmtg.htm
November 5
*Anne Arundel County Meeting on 6-year State Transportation Budget, 3:00
PM, The Arundel Center, Council Hearing Room, Annapolis. Md. Dept of
Transportation presents its Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) to
local officials and the public in advance of the 2002 General Assembly.
For more information, see
http://www.smarttransportation.com/cgi-bin/mdotnews/news_display_index.pl,
and go to two CTP links at bottom.
November 7
Citizen's Planning and Housing Association: Campaign for Regional
Solutions Wednesday, November 7th, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.: "Regional Outlook
2002: Communities Deciding Their Future Lansdowne Senior High School,
3800 Hollins Ferry Road. Community workshop continuing the campaign to
address issues communities are facing across the region. For more
information, see http://www.CPHARegionalCampaign.org.
November 8
*Transit Hubs for Smart Growth and Community Revitalization. 3rd in a
series of symposia that accompany the development of a Baltimore region
transit system plan. Congressman Earl Blumenauer from Portland Oregon
is slated to speak. For more information see
http://www.mtamaryland.com/news/files/Symposium2.pdf.
*Howard County Meeting on 6-year State Transportation Budget, 7:00 PM,
George Howard Building, Banneker Hearing Room, Ellicott City. Md. Dept
of Transportation presents its Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP)
to local officials and the public in advance of the 2002 General
Assembly. For more information, see
http://www.smarttransportation.com/cgi-bin/mdotnews/news_display_index.pl,
and go to two CTP links at bottom.
November 15
*Baltimore County Meeting on 6-year State Transportation Budget,
10:30AM, Old Courthouse, County Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, Towson. MD
Dept of Transportation presents its Consolidated Transportation Program
(CTP) to local officials and the public in advance of the 2002 General
Assembly. For more information, see
http://www.smarttransportation.com/cgi-bin/mdotnews/news_display_index.pl
and go to two CTP links at bottom.
November 27
*Maryland Transportation Plan 2002 Public Open House, 5:30-7:30 PM,
Baltimore City Hall, 100 N. Holliday St., Baltimore. Opportunity for
public input into the statewide plan that the MD Dept. of Transportation
develops every three years to guide its future project and funding
decisions. Additional information and copy of the draft plan will be
available after October 25 at http://www.smarttransportation.com.
_____________________________
ABOUT THE BALTIMORE REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP AND NEWSLETTER
The Baltimore Regional Partnership is an alliance of five civic,
environmental, and anti-sprawl groups: 1000 Friends of
Maryland (www.friendsofmd.org),
Baltimore Urban League (www.bul.org),
Chesapeake Bay Foundation (www.savethebay.cbf.org),
Citizens Planning and
Housing Association (www.CPHARegionalCampaign.org),
and Environmental
Defense (www.environmentaldefense.org).
This newsletter explores current issues, recent and upcoming events, and
ongoing deliberations that affect the region's quality of life through
transportation, economic development, and land use policy and planning.
We hope to link citizens in the region who are working to fight sprawl,
promote clean and efficient transportation, protect valuable farm and
forest lands, and revitalize urban areas, older suburbs, and historic
towns. You can view past issues at
www.balto-region-partners.org/news.htm.
Has this newsletter been forwarded to you, and you would like to receive
it yourself? Go to
http://www.balto-region-partners.org/news.htm to sign up.
Send us information, too. Let us know about your work on land use and
transportation decisions that are affecting the Baltimore region. Email
information to Steve Beck at steve@balto-region-partners.org.
Visit the
Baltimore Regional Partnership website at www.balto-region-partners.org
|
