BALTIMORE REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP Newsletter
August 31, 2000
Land Use and Transportation Issues Around the Region
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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:
Elected Officials Will Not Attend September Meeting
New Dates, Changes for Panel's Public Forums
New Staff Bolster Partnership's Smart Growth Work
Calendar of Events
2. IN THE STATE HOUSE
Glendening Announces 2001 Smart Growth Push
3. ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY
Odenton Committee Plans MARC-oriented Development
4. BALTIMORE COUNTY
Developer Selected for Owings Mills Project
5. CARROLL COUNTY
Water Decisions Divide Commissioners, Rile Residents
6. HARFORD COUNTY
County to Hold Edgewood Revitalization Meeting
7. HOWARD COUNTY
Council Hearing on General Plan Set for September 18
8. JOB OPENINGS
CPHA Seeks Transportation Organizer
1000 Friends Seeks Program Manager
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1. I N T H E R E G I O N
ELECTED OFFICIALS WILL NOT ATTEND SEPTEMBER MEETING
Despite a November 1999 written commitment to federal transportation
agencies and appeals from the Baltimore Regional Partnership to each of
the region's elected local executives, none will attend a fourth meeting
of the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) in the year 2000.
None of the executives has replied to an August 4 letter from the
Partnership, and at the board's August 22 meeting acting chairman J. Craig
Forrest from Baltimore County informed Partnership director Dan Pontious
that no elected officials would be attending the September meeting. The
Partnership had sought the September meeting as a logical fourth meeting
for the elected officials, since the BRTB anticipates approving the
region's 5-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), air quality
conformity determination, and amendments to the region's 20-year plan that
month. The officials' refusal to attend means that the year 2000 will
include meetings with elected officials held only in April, June, and one
scheduled for November. It also breaks a commitment to federal
transportation agencies made in a November 2, 1999 letter signed by
Baltimore County Executive C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger and Forrest.
For more information contact Dan Pontious, Baltimore Regional Partnership,
at danp@balto-region-partners.org. An example of the Partnership's August
4 letters sent to local elected officials is available at
www.balto-region-partners.org/8_2000_letter.htm.
NEW DATES, CHANGES FOR PANEL'S PUBLIC FORUMS
In a move that could dampen public involvement in the work of the
Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB), the panel has changed many
public forums on upcoming transportation programs initially publicized on
the Baltimore Metropolitan Council's web site and in this newsletter. An
Open House on amendments to the region's 20-year plan originally scheduled
for August 24 was changed to August 28. The rescheduled meeting attracted
only three members of the public, including Baltimore Regional Partnership
director Dan Pontious. Similarly, the opportunity for formal public
comment on the 2001 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), air quality
conformity determination, and amendments to the 20-year plan, has been
moved from September 14 to September 18. Release of the TIP and
conformity determination, announced on the BMC web site for August 14, did
not occur until August 22. Official consideration of the TIP, conformity,
and plan amendments is still scheduled for the BRTB's September 26 monthly
meeting.
One new event added to the schedule of meetings is a workshop on the
BRTB's beginning preparation for the region's 2001 long-range plan, which
will plan transportation projects out to 2025. That workshop is scheduled
for September 8 at 9:00 AM at the BMC offices. See "Calendar of Events"
below for more detail.
To see the full text of the Partnership's initial comments on the
2001-2005 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), visit:
www.balto-region-partners.org/2001_TIP_Comments.htm. Additional
information about the TIP and transportation planning in the Baltimore
region is available at: www.balto-region-partners.org/advocate.htm, or
contact Dan Pontious, Baltimore Regional Partnership, at
danp@balto-region-partners.org.
NEW STAFF BOLSTER PARTNERSHIP'S SMART GROWTH WORK
The addition of a new organizer to the Baltimore Regional Partnership and
a new planner to the staff of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation is boosting
the work of the Partnership and its member groups to promote smart
growth-type land use and transportation in the Baltimore area. Adam
Gordon, who began as field organizer with the Baltimore Regional
Partnership in July, is a recent graduate of Yale University. While in
New Haven, CT, Adam served as the student representative on a
rails-to-trails organization, helping to win university and community
support for a regional greenway through the city. He also worked in the
New Haven planning office and was active in regional efforts in New Haven
and statewide involving nationally-known experts like Myron Orfield.
In September Michael Lester will join the staff of the Chesapeake Bay
Foundation as a planner. Michael will play a key role in the
Partnership's work to help bring about a new vision plan for the Baltimore
region in conjunction with the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board's
upcoming Vision 2030 process. Michael has a graduate degree in planning
from the University of Maryland. He has prior experience doing planning
and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) work for CBF and has been a GIS
instructor and consultant. Michael and his wife, Jennifer, own a rowhouse
on Union Square in Baltimore, which they are renovating. Michael is also
organizing the Sept. 27 land use forum on development and the Gwynns Falls
Valley listed below.
For more information contact Dan Pontious, Baltimore Regional Partnership,
at danp@balto-region-partners.org, or George Maurer Chesapeake Bay
Foundation, at gmaurer@savethebay.cbf.org.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Unless otherwise noted, contact Joan Gorsuch, Baltimore Metropolitan
Council, for more information or to confirm. (410) 732-0500 x1043.
September 8:
*Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) workshop on methodology to
be used in preparing the 2001 Baltimore Regional Transportation Plan,
which will extend to 2025. 9:00 AM. Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC)
office, 2700 Lighthouse Point East, Suite 310, Baltimore (on Boston St.
near O'Donnell St., in Canton).
For more information on the long-range plan and the Baltimore Regional
Partnership's critique of the current 1998 plan, visit
www.balto-region-partners.org/advocate.htm and click on "20-Year Baltimore
Regional Transportation Plan."
September 18:
*Public Hearing on Baltimore region 2001-2005 Transportation Improvement
Program (TIP), air quality conformity determination, and amendments to
1998 Regional Transportation Plan. 5:30 PM. BMC office. Visit
www.baltometro.org and click on "Transportation Planning" for more
information.
Partnership critique of April draft 2001-2005 TIP available at
www.balto-region-partners.org/2001_TIP_Comments.htm. For more general
Partnership information on TIP, Plan, and conformity, visit
www.balto-region-partners.org/advocate.htm.
September 16-17:
*Jones Falls Valley Celebration 2000.
Kayak the falls on Saturday morning. All other activities are on
Sunday: bike or skate the JFX, nature and neighborhood walks, rock
climbing, festival 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM in front of Baltimore Streetcar
Museum, 1905 Falls Rd. For more info, visit www.jonesfalls.com.
September 26:
*Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) monthly meeting. 9:00 AM.
BMC office. The BRTB anticipates approving their 2001-2005 TIP, air
quality conformity determination, and amendments to 1998 Plan at this
meeting.
*Transportation Opportunities Committee. Panel assembled to make
recommendations to region's public officials on regional transportation
priorities for 2001 General Assembly. 4:00-6:00 PM. Maryland Department
of Transportation (MDOT), 10 Elm Road, near BWI Airport.
September 27:
*Gwynns Falls Watershed Association -- forum on the impact of development
practices in Baltimore County's growth area on the upper Gwynns Falls.
7:00-9:00 PM, Randallstown Library. Speakers include George Maurer of the
Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Paul Sturm of the Center for Watershed
Protection, and Baltimore County Councilman Kevin Kaminetz. For more
information contact Michael Lester at michael@willowbrooksystems.com.
October 16:
*1000 Friends of Maryland Annual Meeting. 6:00 PM. Great Room. Historic
Savage Mill. 8600 Foundry St., Savage (Howard County). Keynote speaker
is Carl Guardino, President and CEO of the Silicon Valley Manufacturing
Group, who will talk about public/private partnerships on quality of life
issues. $35 per person. Please RSVP by October 2 to Kristen Forsyth at
kforsyth@friendsofmd.org.
October 18:
*CPHA Rally for the Region. 6:30 PM. Sudbrook Performing Arts School
Auditorium. For more information contact Matthew Weinstein, CPHA, at
MatthewW@CPHAbaltimore.org.
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2. I N T H E S T A T E H O U S E
GLENDENING ANNOUNCES 2001 SMART GROWTH PUSH
In an August 19 speech at the annual Maryland Association of Counties
conference in Ocean City, Governor Parris N. Glendening announced his
intention to introduce legislation in the 2001 General Assembly to bolster
efforts to preserve rural forest and farmland and to support
well-designed, dense development where appropriate, especially around
transit hubs. He indicated an eagerness to continue to boost spending on
mass transit, possibly adding Baltimore Metro subway service on Sunday.
He also expressed skepticism of proposed road widenings, singling out a
$10 million Howard County proposal to widen U.S. 29 near its interchange
with Route 100. He criticized Maryland counties for being too willing to
back down on plans for compact, transit-served development, and he praised
plans by the State and Baltimore County to build a new "town center" for
Owings Mills adjacent to its Metro subway stop. Glendening's focus on
sprawl and smart growth in his MACO speech coincided with his intention to
use his one-year term as president of the National Governor's Association
to highlight smart growth issues.
August 20 Sun story available at
www.sunspot.net/content/archive/story?section=archive&pagename=story&storyid=1150420209190
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3. A N N E A R U N D E L C O U N T Y
ODENTON COMMITTEE PLANS MARC-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT
The Odenton Town Plan Oversight Committee, a county-appointed group of
Odenton citizens, is working to develop a compact, mixed-use town center
in an area of undeveloped and underdeveloped land near the interchange of
MD 32 and MD 175. The Committee in 1996 created a plan for the town center
including a main street with shops surrounded by apartments and offices
within walking distance of the Odenton MARC commuter rail station. Now,
committee members are working with the Army Corps of Engineers to discuss
a wetland preservation plan for the area, a key component which has
complicated development plans for the site to this point. The committee
plans to preserve a key corridor of wetlands and other open space through
the town center site which will allow for wildlife migration. Once an
agreement is reached with the Army Corps of Engineers, the Committee hopes
to work with area landowners to get a few key projects off the ground,
such as the MARC-oriented apartments.
For more information contact Adam Gordon, Baltimore Regional Partnership,
at adam@balto-region-partners.org.
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4. B A L T I M O R E C O U N T Y
DEVELOPER SELECTED FOR OWINGS MILLS PROJECT
On August 10, the state Mass Transit Administration and Baltimore County
selected Berwyn, PA-based LCOR Inc. to develop a new town center next to
the Metro subway stop in Owings Mills. The development, which would occur
on what is now a 46-acre parking lot, would include about $200 million
worth of residential, commercial, office, and civic space, along with new
parking garages to replace the current surface lot. Civic elements of the
project include a library, education center, an open-air "town square"
where community events and fairs could be held, and indoor event space in
a 150-room hotel on the site. State and county officials believe the
pedestrian-oriented development, within walking distance of the Owings
Mills Metro, will spur increased ridership and reduced traffic, compared
to similar development located elsewhere. Local civic leaders are
generally supportive of the plan, but have been concerned about its
impacts on local traffic, school crowding, and especially on nearby
existing retail businesses along Reisterstown Road.
For more information contact Amy Menzer, 1000 Friends of Maryland, at
amenzer@friendsofmd.org. August 24 Sun editorial available at
www.sunspot.net/content/archive/story?section=archive&pagename=story&storyid=1150420210820. August 11 Sun story on developer decision available
through Archives at www.sunspot.net.
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5. C A R R O L L C O U N T Y
WATER DECISIONS DIVIDE COMMISSIONERS, RILE RESIDENTS
In fast-growing Carroll County, two commissioners have stirred up vehement
citizen opposition in their determination to have a no-strings-attached
water supply. The county's rapid residential and commercial development,
along with a desire to rezone even more land for industrial development,
has run up against the its limit of 3 million gallons of water per day
from the Baltimore City-owned Liberty Reservoir. Carroll is the only
Baltimore-area jurisdiction that has refused to sign the region's
Watershed Protection Agreement, designed to protect drinking water quality
from run-off pollution caused by too much nearby development.
Commissioners Donald Dell and Robin Frazier have adamantly refused to
adopt limits on development anywhere in the Liberty reservoir watershed.
As a result, Baltimore City has declined the county's request to double
it's daily draw from the reservoir to feed its new development.
In their quest for a more independent water source, Commissioners Dell and
Frazier have decided to build a $13.5 million water treatment plant at
Piney Run Reservoir, currently a popular recreation area. They arrived
that their decision with no public input and over the objections of the
third Carroll commissioner, Julia Gouge, who favors signing the watershed
agreement. The decision has raised the ire of local citizens' groups who
also favor the watershed agreement. About 75 members of the Freedom Area
Citizens Council loudly voiced their opposition to the expensive Piney Run
facility at a heated August 16 meeting attended by both Dell and Frazier.
In June the Finksburg Planning Area Council gave the commissioners a
failing grade in "water resource management" in a 13-topic scorecard, and
the group anticipates confronting all three commissioners at its September
28 monthly meeting. The Finksburg group's August 31 meeting, at 7:00 PM
at the Sandymount Methodist Church Meeting Hall, will also focus on water
issues, with former Water Resources Bureau Chief Cathy Rappe as a guest.
August 25 Sun story available at
www.sunspot.net/content/news/story?section=news-maryland-sun&pagename=story&storyid=1150420211654. August 26 Sun story, including a quote from
Commissioner Dell saying he has heard from "maybe about six" people
regarding a potential referendum on Piney Run, available at
www.sunspot.net/content/cover/story?section=cover&pagename=story&storyid=1150420212410.
For more information contact Nimrod Davis, Freedom Area Citizens Council,
at nimrod@carr.org, or Neil Ridgely, Finksburg Planning Area Council, at
brooksbend@erols.com, or Dan Pontious, Baltimore Regional Partnership, at
danp@balto-region-partners.org. Information also available at the
Finksburg group's web site at www.finksburg.com.
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6. H A R F O R D C O U N T Y
COUNTY TO HOLD EDGEWOOD REVITALIZATION MEETING
Harford County officials will unveil proposed zoning changes to bring
zoning in accordance with the Edgewood Community Plan at a September 19
meeting at Edgewood High School, 7:00-9:00 PM. The plan, passed in March
after a year of conversations between county officials and Edgewood
residents, calls for more neighborhood commercial development within
walking distance of homes, a new town center of mixed-use development on a
former Army housing site, and a main street corridor on Edgewood Road
between the Edgewood library branch and the Edgewood MARC station. County
officials hope that this infill development will help revitalize the
struggling area, the state's fourth-largest unincorporated town, by
attracting a mix of uses to the area which will make the community a more
attractive place to live and work.
For more information contact Adam Gordon, Baltimore Regional Partnership,
at adam@balto-region-partners.org, or Joan Morrissey Ward, Harford County
Planning and Zoning, at jmward@co.ha.md.us.
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7. H O W A R D C O U N T Y
COUNCIL HEARING ON GENERAL PLAN SET FOR SEPTEMBER 18
On September 18, at 7:30 PM at the George Howard Building in Ellicott
City, the Howard County Council will hold a hearing on the Howard County
2000 General Plan. The Plan, a document guiding land use and
transportation policy in Howard County for a ten-year period, proposes
largely to keep in place limits on water and sewer extensions in Western
Howard County enacted in the 1990 Plan. However, it still allows
development at the level of one unit per three acres -- and potentially
more units using the county's transfer of development rights system -- in
the County's rural area. The plan calls for a variety of road widenings,
including expanding MD 32 from MD 108 to Interstate 70 from a two- to a
four-lane road. The Baltimore Regional Partnership, led by the Chesapeake
Bay Foundation, has joined many western Howard County and Carroll County
citizens in opposing this plan, citing its implications for increased
sprawl in the area. In response, the State Highway Administration is
attempting to set up a panel to examine the land-use impacts of such a
road widening.
For more information contact Adam Gordon, Baltimore Regional Partnership,
at adam@balto-region-partners.org.
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8. J O B O P E N I N G S
CPHA SEEKS TRANSPORTATION ORGANIZER
The Citizens Planning and Housing Association is seeking a full-time
organizer on regional transportation policy reform in Baltimore, to start
mid-September, 2000. The organizer will take an active role in developing
and implementing organizing strategies to engage citizens of the Baltimore
region in informed advocacy and action for fundamental regional policy and
investment changes; will be primarily involved in transportation policy
advocacy efforts, although interest in housing policy also helpful; and
will serve as lead organizer for Transit Riders League of Metropolitan
Baltimore. Previous political, regional, or policy-based organizing
experience desired; knowledge of Baltimore region required; salary range:
$27,000 - $32,000 plus generous benefit package. Must send resume and
cover letter by fax (410-625-7895) to Jamie Kendrick, Transportation
Program Coordinator or e-mail to jamiek@cphabaltimore.org no later than
close of business on Friday, September 1st.
1000 FRIENDS SEEKS PROGRAM MANAGER
1000 Friends of Maryland is seeking applicants for the position of Program
Manager for the group's efforts to curb sprawl and promote smart growth in
Maryland. Responsibilities include research, policy analysis, development
and plan review, staff support for Revitalization & Preservation
Committee, special event coordination, proposal writing, quarterly
newsletter production, and special projects, . Applicants should have
excellent communication skills, experience in growth management, land use,
and transportation issues, and familiarity with Maryland's planning
framework. To apply: Please send resume and cover letter to Search
Committee, 1000 Friends of Maryland, 1209 N. Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD
21202. More information available at www.friendsofmd.org
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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 Dan Pontious at danp@balto-region-partners.org.
Visit the Baltimore Regional Partnership website at:
www.balto-region-partners.org.
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