1000 Friends of Maryland
1209 North Calvert
Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
December 17, 1999
Kevin Kamenetz
Chair
Baltimore County Council
400 Washington Avenue
Towson, MD 21204
Re: Master
Plan Amendments
Dear Mr. Kamenetz,
On behalf of 1000 Friends of Maryland, a
statewide organization that promotes the revitalization of established
communities and protection of the natural environment, I wish to express our
concern regarding several of the proposed amendments to Baltimore County’s
Master Plan. We ask that you deny the
following proposed amendments:
- Amendment to delete "Joint Actions
between Baltimore County and Neighboring Jurisdictions" (in Regional
Framework)
As the Master Plan recognizes, the individual
jurisdictions within the Baltimore region are part of "a single
economically and socially integrated territory." The jurisdictions must
plan and develop joint action items together to ensure efficient use of
resources, reduced congestion, sustainable economic success, and strong
communities.
We commend Baltimore County for including
important recommendations in General Actions, such as "Establish regional
priorities for transportation and transit projects and improvements", and
the County Council for adding several new action items, such as "Support
regional workforce development initiatives and public-private partnerships to
improve the regional workforce."
However, the action items contained within the
section on "Joint Actions between Baltimore County and Neighboring
Jurisdictions" will go much further in terms of actually addressing some
of the documented needs of the region. The absence of concrete actions leaves
mere words to battle the web of outdated, destructive land use and
transportation policies that fuel sprawl and urban disinvestment.
- Amendment to delete the third action item,
"Develop overlay zones to require transit-oriented development in and
around transit stations and stops," under "Issue: Coordinate Land
Use and Transportation Planning" (in Transportation)
In order to maximize public investment in
transportation infrastructure, provide viable transportation options for
county residents and workers, ease congestion, and reduce pressure for
continued sprawl development, we must concentrate land uses in the vicinity of
transit stops. People are more likely to use transit if access to service is
easy and pleasant, and transit-oriented development can provide this
atmosphere through well-designed and appropriately scaled neighborhood
businesses and residences.
- Amendments to delete guidelines for
Evaluating Rezoning Requests.
These guidelines give the public and the
Council basis for review of rezoning requests and minimize the opportunity
for decisions that undermine the goals of the Master Plan.
We urge you to deny these proposed amendments to
the Baltimore County Master Plan, as they will hinder important strides towards
regionalism, an efficient transportation system, and a predictable system of
land use planning.
Thank you for your consideration. If you have
any questions, please call me at 410-385-2910.
Sincerely,
Kristen Forsyth
Program Manager
