BALTIMORE REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP Newsletter
February 2, 2001

Land Use and Transportation Issues Around the Region
___________________________________

Welcome to the electronic newsletter on smart growth issues in the
Baltimore region.  See the end for more information about the Baltimore
Regional Partnership and this newsletter.

Website: www.balto-region-partners.org

I N   T H I S   I S S U E

1. IN THE REGION:
*Groups Weigh In on Transportation Certification
*Transportation Board Releases Draft Public Involvement Plan
*Baltimore-DC Selected as Maglev Finalist
*CPHA Announces Lobby for the Region, New Conference Series
*Calendar of Events

2. IN THE STATE HOUSE
*Glendening Smart Growth Proposals Incorporate Rally Agenda
*Legislative Update: Smart Growth Measures, Dates for Key Hearings

3. ACROSS THE NATION
*EPA Withdraws Approval for Atlanta Transportation Plan

4. ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY
*Anne Arundel Groups Come Together to Share Development Concerns
*Annapolis to Become First U.S. City to Feature "Smart Bikes"

5. BALTIMORE COUNTY
*Gunpowder Study Finds Sprawl Harms Watershed, Reservoirs
*Public Forum Held on Proposed Owings Mills Metro Development

6. CARROLL COUNTY
*Rash Farm Zoning Decision Overturned
*Calendar of Events

7. HARFORD COUNTY
*Groups Ask Glendening to Stop Aberdeen Land Grab
*Calendar of Events

8. HOWARD COUNTY  
*Calendar of Events
    
____________________________________

1.  I N  T H E  R E G I O N

GROUPS WEIGH IN ON TRANSPORTATION CERTIFICATION

At two public meetings held January 23, group after group urged federal
transportation agencies to withhold unconditional recertification for the
Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) until the panel follows
through on commitments it has made over the past two years.  Under U.S.
transportation law, the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit
Administration must recertify the metropolitan planning organization (MPO)
for each region every three years.  MPOs must meet certain requirements of
federal law, such as involvement by elected officials, openness to
meaningful public involvement, and now consideration of equity issues.  In
1998, federal agencies issued only a 1-year conditional recertification to
the Baltimore MPO in response to concerns about the lack of involvement of
elected officials and responsiveness to the public.  Recertification was
granted in 1999 only after the MPO made commitments of elected official
involvement, willingness to explore land use and transportation linkages,
and a regional forum relative to the annual Consolidated Transportation
Program.

Groups speaking January 23 included the Baltimore Urban League, Citizens
Planning and Housing Association (CPHA), 1000 Friends of Maryland,
Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Baltimore Regional Partnership itself, the
Transit Riders League of Metropolitan Baltimore, League of Women Voters of
Baltimore City and County, and Citizens Alliance for Rural Preservation
from western Howard County.  Groups expressed concern that the MPO had not
yet fulfilled its 1999 commitments.  The MPO committed to "at least four"
meetings annually of elected officials, but only held three in 2000,
despite pleas from the Partnership.  Partnership groups, including CPHA,
also expressed concern that a public involvement plan is only in draft
form, leaving open its final form or how it might be implemented.  The
Chesapeake Bay Foundation expressed concern that the current Request for
Proposals for the long-awaited regional "Vision 2030" initiative of the
MPO contains inadequate resources for the task at hand, and 1000 Friends
of Maryland highlighted that the promised annual regional transportation
meeting to discuss the Consolidated Transportation Program has not
occurred.  The Baltimore Urban League expressed concerns that equity
issues be addressed adequately in the region's 2001 long-range
transportation plan. 

All groups highlighted the fact that many opportunities remain in 2001 to
see how existing MPO commitments translate into action, and they urged
federal agencies not to issue the traditional three-year unconditional
certfication.  Federal agencies plan to weigh these public comments,
discuss recertification with local elected officials at the February 20
MPO meeting, and then issue their response within 60 days of that meeting.

For more information, contact Dan Pontious, Baltimore Regional
Partnership, at danp@balto-region-partners.org, or Jamie Kendrick, CPHA,
at JamieK@CPHABaltimore.org.


TRANSPORTATION PANEL RELEASES DRAFT PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PLAN

The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB), which is responsible
for allocating federal transportation funds for the Baltimore metropolitan
area, has released a Draft Public Involvement Plan. The new plan
identifies two central objectives for the BRTB to work on: public outreach
and education, and public input into the decision making process.
Strategies identified in the draft plan to encourage public outreach and
education include holding open houses, establishing a speaker's bureau,
and partnering with outreach professionals. Strategies identified to
encourage public input include conducting surveys and focus groups.  The
BRTB is currently soliciting input from the public on this draft plan.
Input can be given in two ways. Written comments are being accepted until
February 20. A public hearing will be held on the plan Wednesday, February
7 at 5:30 p.m., at the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, 2700 Lighthouse
Point East, Suite 310, in the Canton neighborhood of Baltimore.

For more information, contact Adam Gordon, Baltimore Regional Partnership,
adam@balto-region-partners.org, or Lisa Minnick, Baltimore Metropolitan
Council, at lminnick@baltometro.org. The draft plan is available on the
Baltimore Metropolitan Council's web site at www.baltometro.org -- click
on "Transportation Planning" and then on "Public Involvement Plan."


BALTIMORE-DC SELECTED AS MAGLEV FINALIST

In the final hours of the administration of former President Bill Clinton,
then-Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater announced that the
Baltimore-Washington corridor is one of two corridors to be considered as
finalists for the trial development of high speed magnetic levitation
train technology. $14 million in project planning money was awarded to be
divided between the 40-mile Baltimore-Washington project and the other
finalist, a 45-mile project linking Pittsburgh International Airport,
downtown Pittsburgh, and surrounding suburbs. The winning project is
expected to receive nearly $1 billion in federal funding for the project;
cost estimates for the total cost of the Baltimore-Washington line, which
would also include an intermediate stop at Baltimore-Washington
International Airport, run up to four times that amount. The technology
would enable trains to run at up to 240 miles per hour on an elevated
guideway. No Maglev projects have been constructed anywhere in the world
at this time, though Japan is considering construction of a project and
Germany previously considered constructing a Maglev line.

For more information, contact Adam Gordon, Baltimore Regional Partnership,
at adam@balto-region-partners.org, or Jamie Kendrick, CPHA, at
JamieK@CPHAbaltimore.org.


CPHA ANNOUNCES LOBBY FOR THE REGION, NEW CONFERENCE SERIES

CPHA "Lobby for the Region" lobby day takes place Tuesday, March 6, 2001
at the State House in Annapolis.  The day features meetings with
individual legislators as well as a luncheon with the Governor.
Citizens will call on legislators to support the Action Agenda for the
Baltimore Region, which was presented by over 1,000 citizens from across
the region to the Baltimore area's leading elected officials on October
18th at the Rally for the Region.  The Action Agenda includes improved
transit service (Governor Glendening's $750 million Transit Initiative),
more investment in older communities (the governor's $15 million Community
Legacy proposal is very similar to CPHA's Sustainable Communities
Initiative), Program NeighborSpace (the governor's $15 million Community
Parks and Playgrounds proposal can fund NeighborSpace), drug treatment
(the governor's budget proposes $22 in new funding), and better regional
cooperation on workforce development.

CPHA is also sponsoring two sets of regionwide "community conversations"
on neighborhood housing issues and on drug treatment issues.  Dates are
February 10th and March 3rd for neighborhood housing and February 22nd and
March 10th for drug treatment.  The goals are for leaders and activists
from across the region to move toward a consensus about shared priorities
and action plans on both sets of issues, as well as to develop a network
of leaders able to work together effectively.

For more information, contact Matthew Weinstein, CPHA, at
MatthewW@CPHABaltimore.org.


CALENDAR OF EVENTS

February 5
*MD 32 Land Use Expert Panel meeting.  4:00 PM - 6:00 PM. The Gateway
Building, 6751 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia.  5th Floor Conference
Room.  For more information, contact Adam Gordon, Baltimore Regional
Partnership, at adam@balto-region-partners.org.

February 7
*Public Meeting on Public Involvement Plan for Baltimore Regional
Transportation Board.  5:30 PM, BMC offices.  Draft Public Involvement
Plan is available at www.baltometro.org.  Click on "Transportation
Planning." Written comments are due by February 20.  For more information,
contact Lisa Minnick, BMC, at lminnick@baltometro.org.

February 8th
*Meeting on Governor's Transit Initiative, 7:00 PM, Church of the
Redeemer, 5603 N. Charles St., Baltimore.  MTA Administrator Ron Freeland
will brief the public at a forum sponsored by CPHA, the Transit Riders
League, and the League of Women Voters.  For more information, contact Amy
Menzer, CPHA, at AmyM@CPHAbaltimore.org.

February 10
*Regionwide Community Conversation on Neighborhood Housing Issues, Part I.
12:30 PM, East Towson Carver Community Center. For more information, see
story above, or contact Matthew Weinstein, CPHA, at
MatthewW@CPHAbaltimore.org.

February 20
*Baltimore Regional Transportation Board monthly meeting, with elected
officials. 8:00 AM, Baltimore Metropolitan Council offices, 2700
Lighthouse Point East, Suite 310, Baltimore (on Boston St. near O'Donnell
St., in Canton).  This will be the local officials' opportunity to comment
on the federal transportation agency recertification process begun in
January.  For more information, contact Joan Gorsuch, BMC, at
jgorsuch@baltometro.org.

February 22
*Regionwide Community Conversation on Drug Treatment Issues, Part I. For
more information, see story above, or contact Matthew Weinstein, CPHA, at
MatthewW@CPHAbaltimore.org.

March 3
*Regionwide Community Conversation on Neighborhood Housing Issues, Part
II. 12:30 PM, East Towson Carver Community Center. For more information,
see story above, or contact Matthew Weinstein, CPHA, at
MatthewW@CPHAbaltimore.org.

March 6
*CPHA Lobby for the Region Day, State House, Annapolis.  For more
information, see story above, or contact Matthew Weinstein, CPHA, at
MatthewW@CPHAbaltimore.org.

March 10
*Regionwide Community Conversation on Drug Treatment Issues, Part II.  For
more information, see story above, or contact Matthew Weinstein, CPHA, at
MatthewW@CPHAbaltimore.org.

March 15
*The Natural Step -- A Framework for Sustainability Workshop, at Ten Oaks,
Howard County.  A workshop on sustainable development for business,
government, and community leaders, as well as architects,
designers, and planners.  The Natural Step is a science-based approach
designed to enhance strategic planning and bottom-line benefits. For more
information contact Mare Cromwell, Cirque Sustainability, at
mcromwell@toad.net.

March 27
*Baltimore Regional Transportation Board monthly meeting.  9:00 AM, BMC
offices.  The Board anticipates approving its Public Involvement Plan at
this meeting.  For more information, contact Joan Gorsuch, BMC, at
jgorsuch@baltometro.org.

_____________________________________

2.  I N  T H E  S T A T E  H O U S E

GLENDENING SMART GROWTH PROPOSALS INCORPORATE RALLY AGENDA

In an ambitious agenda to "make Smart Growth smarter," Maryland Governor
Parris Glendening has proposed millions of dollars to meet the needs of
older communities in the Baltimore region.  Four of five items in CPHA's
Action Agenda for the Baltimore Region have made their way into the
governor's budget including: $750 million for statewide transit
improvements including Metro subway service on Sunday, $45 million over
three years for a Community Parks and Playgrounds Initiative that could
fund Program NeighborSpace, $45 million over three years for the Community
Legacy, similar to CPHA's Sustainable Communities Initiative, and $22
million in additional funding for statewide drug treatment programs,
including $8 million for Baltimore City.  "This is an exciting budget for
Smart Growth and older neighborhoods in the Baltimore region," said Alfred
W. Barry, III, President of the CPHA Board of Governors.  "Now we need to
mobilize everyone who participated in the Rally for the Region to support
the governor's budget."  Barry noted that he was impressed by the way in
which citizens from throughout the entire region have worked together to
see the Action Agenda move forward.

CPHA and its partners in the Rally for the Region will be mobilizing in
various ways to support the items included in Governor's budget; and,
several discussion forums and briefings are being held in early February
on the Action Agenda.   To contact your legislator directly in support of
any item, call the Maryland General Assembly switchboard at (410)841-3000
or go to http://mlis.state.md.us.


LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: SMART GROWTH MEASURES, DATES FOR KEY HEARINGS

Transportation

Governor Glendening has proposed a $750 million initiative to dramatically
improve and expand the transit across Maryland.  The Governor's Transit
Initiative includes funding for Metro subway service on Sunday, as
promised at the Rally for the Region.  Also included are funds for
neighborhood shuttles, additional service on commuter bus routes, and new
routes for improving access to jobs in the Baltimore region.  Improving
the quality of service is another theme of the initiative through
increased signage, talking buses, purchase of new buses, and providing
real-time schedule information.  The Governor's Transit Initiative is
funded without an increase in taxes, by dedicating a greater portion of
the Corporate Income Tax and the tax on rental cars to the Transportation
Trust Fund.

Important Upcoming Dates:

February 7th
* Senate Budget Committee hears SB 200, the funding mechanism for the
Governor's Transit Initiative. 1:00 PM, James Senate Office Bldg,
Annapolis.  A bus will depart from Baltimore at 12:00 Noon.

February 8th
* MTA Administrator Ron Freeland briefs the public on the Governor's
Transit Initiative at a forum sponsored by CPHA, the Transit Riders
League, and the League of Women Voters. 7:00 PM, Church of the Redeemer,
5603 N. Charles St., Baltimore.

February 22nd
*Senate Budget Committee holds hearing on transit budget. 2:00 PM, James
Senate Office Bldg. (Presidential Wing), Annapolis.

February 23rd
*House Appropriations Committee holds hearing on transit budget. 1:00 PM,
Lowe House Office Bldg. (Room 130), Annapolis.

For more information on the above events, contact Amy Menzer, Citizens
Planning and Housing Association, at AmyM@CPHAbaltimore.org.


Program NeighborSpace

Governor Glendening's budget includes $45 million over three years for a
Community Parks and Playgrounds initiative.  Grants under this program
will be used to buy parkland; rehabilitate, expand, or improve existing
parks; or purchase and install playground equipment.  CPHA and its Rally
partners are urging the elected leadership of the Baltimore region to
prepare for the availability of these funds to  implement Program
NeighborSpace.  Preliminary discussions are underway to form a regional
task force to study the NeighborSpace effort.

Important Upcoming Dates:

February 22nd
*NeighborSpace Briefing for Parks and Recreation Department Leaders in the
Baltimore Region by CPHA, Parks and People Foundation, and the Community
Conservation Action Group.  12:00 PM, Baltimore Metropolitan Council, 2700
Lighthouse Point East, Canton.  Sponsored by the Baltimore
Metropolitan Council.  For more information, call Guy Hager, Parks and
People, at (410)396-0198.

February 28th
*House Appropriations Committee holds hearing on Dept. of Natural
Resources budget including funds for the Community Parks and Playgrounds
initiative. 2:00 PM, Lowe House Office Bldg. (Room 130), Annapolis.

March 2nd
*Senate Budget Committee holds hearing on Dept. of Natural Resources
budget including funds for the Community Parks and Playgrounds initiative.
2:00 PM, James Senate Office Bldg. (Presidential Wing),
Annapolis.


Sustainable Communities Initiative

The governor's budget includes $45 million over three years for his
Community Legacy Initiative, which is very similar to the Sustainable
Communities Initiative proposed at the Rally for the Region.  The program
offers funding to targeted Priority Funding Areas whose residents,
businesses, and institutions are committed to an ambitious revitalization
strategy in the spirit of Smart Growth.  Recipients (local governments or
community development organizations) may use the funds for acquisition or
rehabilitation of mixed-use or mixed-income redevelopment, community
centers, public improvements in commercial and residential areas, and
public infrastructure projects that encourage the redevelopment of
residential or commercial areas.

Important Upcoming Dates:

February 6th
*Senate Budget Committee holds hearing on Dept. of Housing and Community
Development budget including funds for the Community Legacy initiative.
1:00 PM, Lowe House Office Bldg. (Room 406), Annapolis.

February 10th
*Regionwide Community Conversation on Neighborhood Housing Issues, Part I.
12:30 PM, East Towson Carver Community Center.

February 19th
*House Appropriations Committee holds hearing on Dept. of Housing and
Community Development budget including funds for the Community Legacy
initiative. 2:00 PM, Miller Office Bldg. (Room 3 West), Annapolis.

March 3rd
*Regionwide Community Conversation on Neighborhood Housing Issues, Part
II. 12:30 PM, East Towson Carver Community Center.

For more information on the above events, contact Matthew Weinstein,
Citizens Planning and Housing Association, at MatthewW@CPHAbaltimore.org.

_____________________________________

3.  A C R O S S  T H E  N A T I O N

EPA WITHDRAWS APPROVAL FOR ATLANTA TRANSPORTATION PLAN

The Environmental Protection Agency announced on January 26 that it would
withdraw a February 2000 decision which found that the state's vehicle
emission budget for nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) conformed with Clean Air Act ozone regulations.  Last
February, the EPA held that the submitted vehicle emissions budget for the
Atlanta area was within Clean Air Act limits. Baltimore Regional
Partnership member organization Environmental Defense and other groups
sued EPA in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in April
2000, seeking a review of this EPA finding, which led to a July 2000 stay
of the February decision pending further review. In a separate case, the
U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled that the
compliance deadline for reducing nitrogen oxides under EPA's call for
state implementation plans should be extended 13 months. As a result of
that case, all parties now agree that the original February 2000 decision
should not hold. Georgia officials are working on a new vehicle emission
budget for submission to the EPA.

The decision follows a January 18 notice of intent to sue filed by a
coalition of environmental and civil rights groups, including
Environmental Defense, asking federal courts to reclassify the Atlanta
area as an area with "severe" ozone pollution. This reclassification would
require the EPA to implement additional air pollution cleanup measures for
the Atlanta region. The Atlanta region has the highest number of vehicle
miles traveled per day per person of any metropolitan area in the United
States. These high levels of miles traveled result in more ozone pollution
comes from motor vehicle emissions than any other source in the region.
Clean Air Act regulations on ozone pollution are designed to prevent lung
damage and asthma caused by this pollution.

For more information, contact Michael Replogle, Environmental Defense, at
mreplogle@environmentaldefense.org.

_____________________________________

4.  A N N E  A R U N D E L  C O U N T Y

ANNE ARUNDEL GROUPS COME TOGETHER TO SHARE DEVELOPMENT CONCERNS

Over forty residents from Anne Arundel County and surrounding areas came
together on Saturday, January 27 at St. John's College in Annapolis at a
conference titled "Communities Under Fire." The conference, sponsored by
the Maryland Green Education Fund, brought together many grass-roots
community groups from Anne Arundel County and the Eastern Shore to share
their experiences fighting sprawl development in their communities, and to
hear from statewide groups with experience working on similar issues.
Featured speakers included Dru Schmidt-Perkins, executive director of 1000
Friends of Maryland, Sue Brown, executive director of the Maryland League
of Conservation Voters, and Rick Impallaria of Citizens for Property
Rights, which coordinated the Baltimore County campaign leading to the
overturn of Senate Bill 509. A unique perspective was provided by Prof.
Dan Nataf, Director of Anne Arundel Community College's Center for the
Study of Local Issues, who shared results of a number of polls he had done
of Anne Arundel County citizens on development-related issues. A recurrent
theme of the conference was the need for the many groups represented there
to work together to address common concerns on a county-wide and
state-wide basis. Conference organizers plan follow-up events aimed at
encouraging such cooperation.

For more information, contact Adam Gordon, Baltimore Regional Partnership,
at adam@balto-region-partners.org, or Ralph Young, Maryland Green
Education Fund, at ralphcyoung@msn.com.


ANNAPOLIS TO BECOME FIRST U.S. CITY TO FEATURE "SMART BIKES"

On Wednesday, February 7, as part of 2001 Bike Advocacy Day at the
Maryland Legislature, the City of Annapolis will announce that it will be
the first city in the U.S. or Canada to implement a "smart bike" program.
In June, the Annapolis City Council endorsed development of a Yellow
Bike-type program, found in many American cities, in which visitors to a
city can borrow bicycles left at certain strategically located points to
travel around the city. Such a program encourages visitors and even
residents and workers in a city to cut back on driving by allowing short
trips to be carried out without using a car. Such programs also promote
transit use by allowing transit riders to reach destinations just beyond
comfortable walking distance from transit stops.

Upon researching other cities' Yellow Bike programs, Annapolis City
transportation staff discovered the Smart Bike concept, developed by
street furniture company Adshel and currently used only in Europe, which
provides added security and convenience beyond what a typical Yellow Bike
program offers. Users register for a smart card, which they can use to
then dispense a bike from a bike rack and ride that bike. Bicycles can
only be operated when a smart card is inserted in them. Racks will be
located at key points throughout the city, especially near bicycle trails,
transit facilities, and commercial areas. Registration for and
dispensation of smart cards will be available at a location near each
rack. Annapolis officials plan to extend the smart card so it can be used
to ride buses, water taxis, and even offer discounts at local museums and
restaurants.

For more information, contact Adam Gordon, Baltimore Regional Partnership,
at adam@balto-region-partners.org, or Danielle Matland, Annapolis
Transportation Director, at matlandd@ci.annapolis.md.us. For more
information on Adshel's smart bike technology, contact Rick Grasso,
Adshel, at rgrasso@adshelinc.com.

_____________________________________

5.  B A L T I M O R E  C O U N T Y

GUNPOWDER STUDY FINDS SPRAW HARMS WATERSHED, RESERVOIRS

The Gunpowder Watershed Coalition, at a January 17 forum held at Dulaney
High School in Baltimore County, released the results of a three-year long
study by researchers from the Maryland Department of the Environment of
the Gunpowder Watershed. The study showed that sprawling development was
having a severe impact on water quality, impacting both stream health and
reservoir water quality throughout the watershed, which stretches from
southern Pennsylvania through Carroll, Harford, and Baltimore Counties to
the Chesapeake Bay. From the 1960's to the present, nitrates found in the
watershed's streams and reservoirs increased by 250%. This increase can be
mainly attributed to sprawling development, as the study showed that the
greatest nitrogen, phosphorus, and heavy metal concentrations were
associated with stormwater runoff from developed areas. Similarly, a 300%
increase in chlorides was noted in the watershed since the 1960s. This
increase can be largely attributed to runoff from new roads and industrial
facilities built in the watershed. Increases in nitrogen and phosphorus
levels lead to increases in algae life in the water; these increases in
the 1980s led to widespread complaints by citizens drinking water from
Loch Raven and Prettyboy Reservoirs, which are in the watershed and part
of the Baltimore City-owned reservoir system which supplies much of the
region with drinking water.

The good news from the study is that Baltimore County's recent wave of
downzonings on rural land in the watershed may help prevent further
degradation in water quality by preventing further sprawl development.
However, Carroll County's plans to upzone agricultural land for industrial
use have the potential of exacerbating the problems in the watershed,
especially chloride levels.

For more information, contact Adam Gordon, Baltimore Regional Partnership,
at adam@balto-region-partners.org, or Charlie Conklin, Gunpowder Watershed
Coalition, at chaspeek@aol.com.


PUBLIC FORUM HELD ON PROPOSED OWINGS MILLS METRO DEVELOPMENT

Over 100 people attended a January 18 public forum held at Owings Mills
High School to discuss initial plans from Berwyn, PA-based developer LCOR
for a town center development next to the Owings Mills Metro subway stop.
The meeting, sponsored by the Reisterstown-Owings Mills-Glyndon
Coordinating Council and Chamber of Commerce, featured a presentation by
LCOR vice president John Infantino and county and Mass Transit
Administration officials, as well as public comment.  The $200 million
development would replace about 30 acres of surface parking south of the
Metro station with free structured parking and a Main Street-type
development with ground-floor stores and restaurants and residential units
above them and nearby.  The plan also includes a public plaza for events,
library, a branch of Catonsville Community College that other colleges
could also use, and a pedestrian walkway to the Owings Mills Mall and
nearby movie theaters.  It follows a growing trend of seeking to locate
walkable communities next to major transit stops.  By giving residents and
visitors alternatives to driving, planners hope to alleviating some of the
region's growing traffic congestion that accompanies current growth
patterns and boost Metro ridership.

Public comment demonstrated substantial disapproval of the current 15,000
square feet planned for the library and concern about retail competition
with nearby stores on Reisterstown and Liberty Road.
Residents and some local elected officials said they would want a library
of at least twice the proposed size, and some residents also voiced
concerns about possible traffic generated by the development.
Economic development officials and project participants voiced the view
that retail stores in the town center project would be substantially
different from existing retail, and in fact would produce a "synergy"
effect, drawing more people to the area and boosting activity at nearby
existing stores.  Retail participants pointed to the Whitemarsh Mall,
which experienced increased sales after the nearby Avenue at Whitemarsh
opened, and existing restaurants near the Inner Harber, which saw their
business improve after Harborplace opened.  Charles Crerand, manager of
the Owings Mills Mall for the Rouse Company, said that the Rouse Company
supports the project for that reason.  Infantino, of LCOR, said that next
steps include LCOR development of a formal concept plan, a formal
community input meeting, drafting by LCOR of a full development plan, a
public hearing on that plan, and then final approval and authorization to
proceed by Baltimore County.  Infantino anticipated those steps to occur
within the coming 6-8 months.

For more information, contact Dan Pontious, Baltimore Regional
Partnership, at danp@balto-region-partners.org, or Calvin Reter,
Reisterstown-Owings Mills-Glyndon Coordinating Council, at
CReter1523@aol.com.  January 20 Sun story available (until about February
3) at
www.sunspot.net/content/cover/story?section=cover&pagename=story&storyid=1150540207779

_____________________________________

6.  C A R R O L L  C O U N T Y

RASH FARM ZONING DECISION OVERTURNED

A controversial 1999 2-1 decision by the Carroll County Board of
Commissioners to rezone 145 acres of farmland in Southern Carroll County
for residential development has been overturned by Carroll County Circuit
Court Judge Luke Burns. Burns sided with the Freedom Area Citizens Council
and Sykesville resident Douglas Ilioff, who argued that the land uses
surrounding the property, known as the Rash farm, had not changed enough
to justify rezoning the land. Under Maryland law, such a rezoning can only
be made on the basis of changes in surrouding land uses or a mistake in
the original zoning.  Commissioners Donald I. Dell and Robin Bartlett
Frazier claim that the decision does not in effect reverse the rezoning of
the property since county zoning maps were changed in December 2000 to
include the zoning of the Rash Farm for residential use, a change not
mentioned in Burns' decision. Carroll County Commissioner Julia Walsh
Gouge, who voted against the rezoning, agreed with Burns' decision, but
was unsure as to whether the zoning map change would supersede the
decision and has asked county legal staff for their opinion.

For more information, contact Adam Gordon, Baltimore Regional Partnership,
at adam@balto-region-partners.org.  January 31 Carroll County Times story
available online at
www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=1340054&BRD=1289&PAG=461&dept_id=156627&rfi=6


CALENDAR OF EVENTS

February 8
*Environmental Issues Forum.  7:30 PM, call for location.  Learn about
environmental issues facing the 2001 Maryland General Assembly and
opportunities for citizen involvement.  For more information, contact Greg
Becker, (410)-876-2182 or (410)-386-4490 ext. 714 or gregb@ccpl.carr.org.

___________________________________

7.  H A R F O R D  C O U N T Y

GROUPS ASK GLENDENING TO STOP ABERDEEN LAND GRAB

Hundreds of concerned citizens signed a petition calling on the Maryland
Department of the Environment (MDE) to restrict water withdrawals by the
City of Aberdeen that would spur sprawl development outside Harford
County's Priority Funding Area (PFA). A separate letter from the Deer
Creek Watershed Association, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Citizens Planning
and Housing Association, Environmental Defense, and 1000 Friends of
Maryland urged the Governor to limit a permit for water service to its
original recipient, the Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG). The City of
Aberdeen plans to use the water, pumped from Deer Creek in northern
Harford County, to serve a rural area outside the city. The city, if
granted the ability to supply the area with water by MDE, would annex it,
although it is currently zoned for agricultural use by Harford County, and
rezone it to allow sprawl development.

MDE has initially agreed to transfer the permit to the City from APG,
which has never used its full allotment.  Aberdeen could presumably use
the rest to supply new growth outside its current boundaries.  The Deer
Creek Watershed Association, concerned with the impact of additional
withdrawals, is calling on all who support Smart Growth in Harford County
to contact the Governor and MDE and express their support for restrictive
language in any final permit from MDE that would restrict the use of the
water to the base alone.

For more information, contact George Maurer, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, at
gmaurer@cbf.org, or Rich Norling, Deer Creek Watershed Association, at
norlingr@aol.com.


CALENDAR OF EVENTS

February 8
*Environmental Issues Forum. 7:30 PM, Isaac Walton League Chapter House,
Woodsdale Rd.  Learn about environmental issues facing the 2001 Maryland
General Assembly and opportunities for citizen involvement.  For more
information, contact Terry Cummings, (410)-268-8833 or tcummings@cbf.org,
or Gary Nordman, (410)-569-0227.

______________________________________________

8.  H O W A R D  C O U N T Y

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

February 14
*Environmental Issues Forum.  7:30 PM, County Police conference room,
Route 216/29 in Public Service complex behind Cherry Tree Plaza.  Learn
about environmental issues facing the 2001 Maryland General Assembly and
opportunities for citizen involvement.  For more information, contact
Dennis Luck, at drl1@erols.com, or Nancy Davis at nancyld@erols.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.

Has this newsletter been forwarded to you, and you would like to receive
it yourself?  Visit our web site at
www.balto-region-partners.org/news.htm to sign up and to view past issues.

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 Adam Gordon at adam@balto-region-partners.org.  Visit
the Baltimore Regional Partnership website at:
www.balto-region-partners.org.