BALTIMORE REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP Newsletter
Land Use and Transportation Issues Around the Region
January 25, 2002
_____________________________
                               
Contents:

*Regional Rail Plan Unveiled; Public Meetings to Follow
*CPHA Lobby for the Region Day Set for Feb. 6
*Feb. 19 Rail Symposium Focuses on Station Design
*Sun Poll Shows Traffic Concerns, Transit Support
*Carroll Seeks to Resolve Zoning Dispute
*Baltimore Co. East-Side Concept Plan Released
*Arundel Officials Eye Big-Box Competition in Mills Area
*Brookings Releases Suburban Population Study
*Bay Area Businesses Create Smart Growth Fund
*Calendar of Events

______________________________________

REGIONAL RAIL PLAN UNVEILED; PUBLIC MEETINGS TO FOLLOW

A committee of prominent Baltimore-area business and civic leaders has
released a draft plan for a regional rail transit system that would more
than double the area's rail network and add new lines to Towson, White
Marsh, Woodlawn, and Dundalk via Canton.  It would more than double the
number of people in the region who live within walking distance (1/3
mile) of a rail station and increase the jobs within walking distance by
nearly 50 percent.  The plan also adds stations to the region's two MARC
commuter lines and increases connections between the those lines and the
new local rail service.  Seven public meetings are now planned between
January 31 and February 26 to gather feedback from the region's citizens
before a final report is submitted to the Maryland Department of
Transportation.  The goal of the process is to position the region to
receive federal funding for a portion of the system in the next six-year
cycle that Congress plans to authorize in 2003.

For more information on the draft Regional Rail Plan, go to
http://www.baltimorerailplan.com/pages/planproposal/intro.htm
January 24 Sun story available at
http://www.sunspot.net/news/traffic/bal-te.md.transit24jan24.story?coll=bal%2Dhome%2Dheadlines


__________________________________________________

CPHA LOBBY FOR THE REGION DAY SET FOR FEB. 6

The Citizens Planning and Housing Association has scheduled February 6,
2002 as its annual Lobby For the Region Day.  Following the 1,100-person
Rally for the Region led by CPHA in October 2000, Governor Glendening
and 2001 General Assembly made commitments toward improving community
quality of life in five areas: transit service and funding, community
reinvestment, drug treatment, neighborhood open space and regional
workforce development.  The goal of the February 6 event is to keep
those commitments in front of the 2002 General Assembly and to show
strong public support for them.  The 2002 Lobby for the Region Day will
take place in Annapolis from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM in the Governor's
Reception Room.  Space is limited so participants must pre-register by
February 1, 2002.  Bus transportation will be available from CPHA at
9:00 AM.  For more details about the day and CPHA's Campaign for
Regional Solutions go to
http://www.CPHARegionalCampaign.org 

_____________________________

FEB. 19 RAIL SYMPOSIUM FOCUSES ON STATION DESIGN

The Maryland Transit Administration continues its symposium series at
6:00 PM on February 19, 2002 with Community Sensitive Design at Transit
Stations.  The forum is the sixth in a series, with previous topics
including environmental issues and community revitalization.  Featured
speakers include Peter Denitz of Parsons Brinkerhoff and Klaus Philipsen
of the American Institute of Architects in Baltimore and 1000 Friends of
Maryland.  The symposium is entitled "It Doesn't Have to Be Ugly," and
it will be held at the University of Baltimore's Thumel Business Center,
at the corner of North Charles Street and Mt. Royal Avenue in Baltimore.


For more information, go to
http://www.baltimorerailplan.com/pages/symposium/symposium6.htm

________________________________________________
 
SUN POLL SHOWS TRANSIT SUPPORT, TRAFFIC CONCERNS

Voters across the state say that mass transit is a better solution than
road-building when addressing transportation problems, according to a
new poll released by the Baltimore Sun.  In a view shared "across
geographic an party lines," 53 percent of respondents favored transit
investments, while only 31 percent prioritized new roads.  In the
Baltimore region, 46 percent of those polled labeled transportation and
traffic congestion as a "major problem" or "crisis."  While significant,
this figure was lower than the 71 percent of DC-area respondents who
felt similarly.  The release of the poll by The Sun, now a yearly
practice, coincided with the commencement of the  2002 Legislative
Session in Annapolis earlier this month. 

For Sun story on these issues, go to
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-te.md.poll09jan09.story?coll=bal%2Dhome%2Dutility

For full Sun coverage of The Maryland Poll, go to
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-mdpoll.storygallery?coll=bal%2Dhome%2Dutility


_________________________________________________________________

CARROLL SEEKS TO RESOLVE ZONING DISPUTE

At a January 24 meeting it appeared that Carroll County Commissioner
Julia Gouge and Commissioner Donald Dell are close to agreement on a
plan that may mitigate the controversial effects of the county's
contentious new zoning amendments and prevent the county from
decertification in state agricultural land preservation programs.  The
Maryland Department of Planning and other State officials have yet to
comment on the proposed revisions to the contentious law.  The revisions
prevent the transfer to agricultural land of zoned development capacity
in the county's conservation land that would be unbuildable there
because of environmental constraints.  They also currently mandate that
transferred development be clustered on the least unproductive farmland.
The staff draft report was an effort to compromise with state planning
officials over the law passed by in September.  Additional refinement
and public hearings are anticipated in February or early March.

January 25 Sun story available at:
http://www.sunspot.net/news/local/carroll/bal-ca.zoning25jan25.story?coll=bal%2Dlocal%2Dcarroll

and Carroll County Times coverage can be viewed at
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=3087843&BRD=1289&PAG=461&dept_id=156627&rfi=6

 
______________________________

BALTIMORE CO. EAST-SIDE CONCEPT PLAN RELEASED

At a public meeting on January 10, 2002, Baltimore County officials
released for comment a concept plan that develops Middle River as a
tourist destination featuring a promenade, restaurants, retail and
office space, lofts and an upgraded marina.   The county sees the Middle
River waterfront destination as critical to the county's comprehensive
revitalization project in Essex and Middle River.  The meeting on
January 10th was the third public hearing designed to gather residents
comments and desires for how they want the area to be developed.  County
officials feel that the public input has produced a concept that truly
reflects the feelings and ideas of the local residents. 

January 10 Sun story on plan available at
http://www.sunspot.net/news/local/bal-md.eastside10jan10.story. 
Jan. 11 Sun story on public reaction to the plan available at
http://www.sunspot.net/news/local/bal-md.eastside11jan11.story?coll=bal%2Dlocal%2Dheadlines

The Baltimore County website has information regarding Essex/Middle
River waterfront revitalization efforts and can be visited at
http://www.co.ba.md.us/p.cfm/agencies/economicdev/revital/essex.cfm

___________________________________________

ARUNDEL OFFICIALS EYE BIG-BOX COMPETITION IN MILLS AREA

In a wide-ranging year-end interview with the Annapolis Capital, an Anne
Arundel business leader and County Executive Janet Owens expressed
concern that big-box retailers establishing new stores near the new
Arundel Mills Mall could hurt or even close duplicate stores in a nearby
older neighborhood.  The discount Costco chain apparently even promised
the county they would not risk competition with their store in Glen
Burnie by opening another one near the mall.  Other chains with nearby
duplicate stores include Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Petsmart, and Circuit
City.  January 8 Capital story available at
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/live/01_08-05/BUS

__________________________________

BROOKINGS RELEASES SUBURBAN POPULATION STUDY

A newly released Brookings Institution study of the suburbs in the
nation's 35 largest regions shows that, although the suburbs grew an
average 14% from 1990 to 2000, more than a third of the towns showed no
growth or a decline in population - some of them substantially.  The
study used 2000 Census data and included the Baltimore region.  Although
many newly developing suburbs experienced tremendous growth as evidenced
by traffic congestion and overcrowded schools, many older, frequently
inner-ring suburbs experienced central-city like challenges.  These
challenges include aging infrastructure, deteriorating schools and
commercial corridors, inadequate housing stock and population decline. 
Baltimore suburbs fared relatively well in the analysis, especially
considering Baltimore City's sharp decline in population over the same
period.  The study found that about 18 percent of Baltimore's suburbs
lost population, about the same percentage as Washington DC. 

Full study available at   
http://www.brookingsinstitution.org/urban/census/lucyexsum.htm

_________________________

BAY AREA BUSINESSES CREATE SMART GROWTH FUND

The Bay Area Council, an organization of 275 San Francisco-area
employers similar to the Greater Baltimore Committee, has announced the
creation of a private, for-profit Bay Area Smart Growth Fund. Often,
conventional lenders are hesitant to underwrite smart growth projects
because they require more complex financing than standard sprawling
development patterns. This new source of debt capital will provide
financing for housing and business redevelopment in transit-accessible
neighborhoods, addressing the Bay Area's shortage of affordable housing
and decline of certain urban and inner suburban neighborhoods.  In
Baltimore, lack of available debt capital is a frequent problem in urban
redevelopment, affordable housing, and smart growth projects in the
region for all income levels. The Baltimore Regional Partnership has
been working for the past year with the region's religious, banking, and
community development communities to create a non-profit loan fund for
affordable housing, business, and community facility development, which,
unlike the new Bay Area fund, will focus solely on the low-to-moderate
income market.

San Francisco Chronicle story available at
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/01/02/MN142951.DTL


___________________________________

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

January 31
*Southeast Baltimore/Dundalk Public Workshop on Draft Baltimore Regional
Rail System. 6:30 - 8:30 PM, John Booth Senior Center 229 1/2 Eaton
Street (Highlandtown).  First of seven public meetings to gather public
input on draft plan released by Advisory Committee Jan. 23.  For more
info see story above or:
http://www.baltimorerailplan.com/pages/publicwrkshp/intro.htm

February 2
*Campaign for Baltimore's Parks - Sustaining the Legacy.  9:30 AM - 2:00
PM including lunch, 4545 North Charles Street, Baltimore.  Workshop and
Rally at Evergreen Carriage House.  Event is part of a campaign by the
Baltimore Alliance for Great Urban Parks  to achieve sustainable funding
for restoring Baltimore's urban parks.  For more info:
http://www.greaturbanparks.org/index.html

February 5
*Towson Workshop on Draft Baltimore Regional Rail System.  6:30 - 8:30
PM, Towson Library, 320 Towson Road, Towson.  Second of seven public
meetings to gather public input on draft plan released Jan. 23 by
Advisory Committee.  For more info see story above or:
http://www.baltimorerailplan.com/pages/publicwrkshp/intro.htm

February 6
*CPHA's Lobby for the Region.  10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Governor's Reception
Room, State House, Annapolis.  Pre-registration required by February 1. 
Bus transportation from CPHA available.  For more information or to
pre-register, go to
http://www.CPHARegionalCampaign.org

February 7
*Anne Arundel County Workshop on Draft Baltimore Regional Rail System. 
6:30 - 8:30 PM, Arundel Mills Mall Community Room, 7000 Arundel Mills
Circle (Entrance at blue wall near TJMaxx and Food Court).  Third of
seven public meetings to gather public input on draft plan released Jan.
23 by Advisory Committee.  For more info see story above or:
http://www.baltimorerailplan.com/pages/publicwrkshp/intro.htm

February 11
*Edmonson Village/Catonsville/Woodlawn Workshop on Draft Baltimore
Regional Rail System.  6:30 -8:30 PM, Hunting Ridge Presbyterian Church,
4640 Edmondson Avenue (Route 40 West).  Fourth of seven public meetings
to gather public input on draft plan released Jan. 23 by Advisory
Committee.  For more info see story above or:
http://www.baltimorerailplan.com/pages/publicwrkshp/intro.htm

February 13
*Public Comment Opportunity on Baltimore Regional Transportation Board
(BRTB) draft Unified Planning Work Program for fiscal year 2003. 
Coincides with BRTB's Citizens Advisory Committee meeting, 4:00 PM,
Baltimore Metropolitan Council offices, 2700 Lighthouse Point East,
Suite 310, Baltimore (on the 2700 block of Boston St. in Canton,
directly above Blockbuster Video).  For more information, go to
http://www.baltometro.org/UPWP2003.html

February 16
*Charles Village/Northwest Baltimore Workshop 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM,
Baltimore City College, 3220 The Alameda.  Fifth of seven public
meetings to gather public input on draft plan released Jan. 23 by
Advisory Committee.  For more info see story above or:
http://www.baltimorerailplan.com/pages/publicwrkshp/intro.htm

February 16
*Harford County Workshop on Draft Baltimore Regional Rail System.  7:00
PM, Edgewood Senior Center, 1000 Gateway Drive, Edgewood.  Sixth of
seven public meetings to gather public input on draft plan released Jan.
23 by Advisory Committee.  For more info see story above or:
http://www.baltimorerailplan.com/pages/publicwrkshp/intro.htm

February 19
*Baltimore Regional Transportation Board monthly meeting with local
elected officials, 5:30 PM, Baltimore Metropolitan Council offices, 2700
Lighthouse Point East, Suite 310, Baltimore (on the 2700 block of Boston
St. in Canton, directly above Blockbuster Video).  Includes final
opportunity to comment on draft Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) for
fiscal year 2003.  For more information on draft UPWP, go to
http://www.baltometro.org/UPWP2003.html.  For more information on
meeting, visit http://www.baltometro.org/content.asp?id=31

*Planning Baltimore's Regional Rail System - Symposium Series: "It
Doesn't Have to Be Ugly, Community Sensitive Design at Transit
Stations," 6:00 PM, University of Baltimore Thumel Business Center,
corner of North Charles Street and Mt. Royal Avenue, Baltimore.  Peter
Denitz of Parsons Brinkerhoff is the featured speaker.  For more info:
http://www.baltimorerailplan.com/pages/symposium/symposium6.htm

February 26
*Parkville/Overlea/White Marsh Workshop on Draft 6:30 -8:30 PM, St.
Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 7910 Belair Rd.  Seventh and final
public meeting to gather public input on draft plan released Jan. 23 by
Advisory Committee.  For more info see story above or:
http://www.baltimorerailplan.com/pages/publicwrkshp/intro.htm

May 3 & May 4
*Annual Preservation and Revitalization Conference 2002.  The annual two
day conference is sponsored by Preservation Maryland and will be held in
the Historic Mount Vernon Cultural District.  The keynote speaker is
Stanley Lowe, vice president for Community Revitalization of the 
National Trust for Historic Preservation.  For further information, go
to
http://www.preservemd.org/conf.html

__________________________

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