First Round Listening Session - May 30, 2018
Regionalism and Regional Planning ♦ Concerns Over Previous Mandates ♦ Mapping Support and Data ♦ Economic Development ♦ Youth ♦ Housing ♦ Infrastructure ♦ Community Engagement and Volunteerism ♦ Training and Education ♦ Transportation ♦ Environment ♦ Community ♦ Funding ♦ Neighboring Jurisdictions ♦ Communication ♦ What the County is Missing ♦ State Agencies ♦ Technical Assistance ♦ Planning ♦ General
The comments below represent the statements or points of view of one or more individuals who participated in the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) “A Better Maryland” Development Plan Listening Sessions. These comments do not represent any official position or policy of MDP or any other State agency, nor do they represent any official position or policy of any local jurisdiction or local planning agency.
Regionalism and Regional Planning
Needs of Washington County and Anne Arundel County are very diverse
Water and air cannot be addressed by a single local jurisdiction. Howard County air goes to Montgomery County
It makes sense for the state and the local jurisdictions to have a mutual understanding of the land use and growth patterns that are existing and planned for a community
A state development plan needs to orchestrate local plans so they add up to a synergistic larger whole, instead of competing with each other
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Concerns Over Previous Mandates
The State should not be dictating local land use or growth. These are local issues
Preemption is a major issue when the state and federal government disallows the local government to control our growth and priorities
Public health and safety can be defined by state more easily than land use and growth, which are more variable based on location
The community and/or county should be responsible for their own growth as we live in the county, the state government does not
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Mapping Support and Data
All information should be available on one platform
I would like to see a comprehensive Geographic Information Systems (GIS) program across all Maryland state agencies
We need better at-place employment stats
Queen Anne’s County needs assistance with data describing maximum sustainable build-out
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Economic Development
Invest in more small businesses to grow communities
You need an economy and jobs to have a community
Our agricultural community has a deep history and is a glue that makes the area someplace
Without a critical mass of farmland, the industry will fail. Farms must be profitable to be sustainable. One farm alone cannot survive
Protect and profile Maryland tourist attractions – particularly African American history
If jobs are sparse or ill-paying and citizens are forced to travel outside of their community for work, the toll that can take detracts from the ability to enjoy or participate in the other aspects
Employment reduces poverty and homelessness, increases personal wealth/prosperity, enables opportunity for education and self-sufficiency
Business investment, when guided by local government and organizations, can lead to positive change
Economic development and revitalization will help uplift our many communities that are in need and obviously require assistance beyond that of what local government can provide. Meanwhile, local government can care for local needs in communities that are faring better. Those in greatest need should be assisted so that statewide we are prosperous and successful
State and localities should collaborate to create employment centers. Couple that with transportation planning to reduce the need for more roads
The jurisdictional competition to attract business leads to public give-a-ways for private interests, to the detriment of local services
If transportation to distant jobs is not feasible, then investing in business incubators in rural areas is necessary. Obviously, rural areas have fewer job opportunities
Too much of an emphasis on open space has been driving up the cost of land and housing. This is the elephant in the room degrading the economy and jobs
Encouraged business investment is needed to stimulate workforce development
Workforce development will increase homeownership opportunities
Better transportation is needed to help tourism inside of Maryland
Huge development, such as Amazon HQ2, may not be in the best interests of the community
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Youth
Need more funding for schools. Children are the future
In a civilized society schools need to be excellent and are a basic need
Schools need to be part of the mix or we won’t have a future that has the other elements (quality of life or jobs in particular)
Affordable housing and safe communities come first. Part of that, of course, is good schools
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Housing
The high cost of housing limits the enjoyment of the other amenities
Affordable housing is critical if we want people to continue living in this state, and not just workforce housing
Affordable housing is essential — should be in areas that already have infrastructure in place
Housing is a problem if you lack sufficient income to afford it
Affordable-housing is being opposed by smart growth principles, which increases the cost of land and the lack of affordable-housing is affecting the economy
Proper land use policy is critical to affordable housing
Housing and transportation are connected, most people like to live where they work
Being an urban county near to DC, Prince George’s needs to address the problem of affordable housing in a much more proactive way
As DC continues to gentrify, the need in Maryland’s Capital Region counties is growing
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Infrastructure
Transportation infrastructure is too costly at the local level
Rural brain drain may be alleviated by adequate internet availability
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Community Engagement and Volunteerism
Working together, state and community, is key. We cannot rely on county representatives who may only have their lobbyists in mind, but collaborate with the public in different ways, such as in this webinar
Need better connections and communications to the public. We rarely hear about public forums
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Training and Education
Education is key because it covers institutions and populations that can add to surrounding smaller communities, tourism, govt. contracts, local employment
Public education needs to figure into any plan. There can be no ‘Better MD’ without a solid public education system
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Transportation
Bridges and overpasses need to be addressed
For example, the MD 295 overpass of Hanover Rd in Howard Co is crumbling. What is being done to ensure all these small, off the beaten path types of bridges are being evaluated?
We need a diversity of transportation modes, as we have in some areas
We need better public transportation – maglev will be great, as well as better, more efficient bus routes in the suburbs
People want a clean, rural environment, but they work in DC, so transportation is vital to those who want to live rural. We (Charles County) need the light rail. Roads between jurisdictions need to be “tuned” better to allow for better traffic flow. Light Rail would take the pressure off SR 210 (Indian Head Highway)
Put emphasis on public transit as opposed to building new roads or widening existing ones
Many of us in Montgomery, including council members, don’t want I-495 widened so don’t force it on us! Work on other means – BRT, MARC, etc
Widening roads and adding lands does not solve our transportation problem
Need more bike lanes
Development of cross-county bike lanes and/or trails
Bike routes need coordination across counties and the state, link to DC
Transportation connects communities. Multi-modes, including without a car, are critical
Need a bidirectional MARC
Public transit reliability is a huge issue now
Effective, affordable public transit is critically important for suburban communities
Grandma is probably not going by bike
Prince George’s County and City of Greenbelt do not support SC Maglev or the Hyperloop
We need our community to be more active. A more walkable town would be great
Development needs to be in sync with transportation modes. Need closer coordination and not simple reliance on more and wider roads
The “transportation” issue should be addressed as accessibility to what you want to get to…land use location drives transportation needs
Transportation is crucial, but I’d prefer that more jobs were local instead of the ridiculous commutes. More flexibility is needed
Commuting in Maryland is such a problem. We need a solution such as a better bus system, a robust subway system, and better roads
Transportation is such a huge expense. Roads are used by all. The state is best to coordinate transportation
A coordinated transportation plan for the region is critical, although the state may play favorites between areas
Transportation is an issue to be addressed statewide, other issues are better addressed at the local level
State government role is essential for cross-jurisdictional issues in transportation
A Better Maryland must be crafted in a way that recognizes that transportation needs are vastly different, yet no less important to various areas around the state, i.e. Western MD and the Eastern Shore vs. the Greater Metro Region
Transportation is a regional issue. It effects quality of life and the ability to attract new business (workers must be able to get to work)
Promote telework to resolve traffic issues and allow people to stay in their communities and support their communities economically
The issue of planning for automated vehicles should be coordinated by the state
Because of our location near the Bay and DC, etc, transportation connects all other issues together
The transportation conflict in Montgomery County is with the state and Metro. I’m not certain the state development plan can address that
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Environment
Environment and agriculture should be more connected
You only have one chance to save open space and environment. The rest can be built over and over again, and will always cycle. Once open space is gone, it is gone forever
Facilitate the sharing of best practices across counties in relation to improving the environment. For example, watershed/storm water management in meeting Chesapeake Bay goals
Good air to breath is very important to quality of life. If we don’t protect our resources we won’t have clean water, wildlife
We need to recognize that our region plays a vital role in providing habitat for wildlife, and that land protection is key
If we don’t care for the environment we don’t have anything. The environment should come first. It improves quality of life. A healthy Bay would give so many tourist dollars
Economy and jobs without a corresponding clean environment and open space would turn the area into nothing but a working town. We need both
Open space is important…if you have a job. A clean environment is important for health
Climate, sea level rise support is key in planning
A clean and safe environment leads to walking around and meeting your neighbors—all important to health
The entire community contributes to a clean environment
Individuals can get together to help keep the environment clean. Hold each other accountable
Land use affects the environment, so it affects us all
Need to preserve land, especially larger plots. Local government often doesn’t look at the big picture and wants the tax base to grow, so it converts natural area
Long commute times can mean more fumes, and therefore dirtier air
Sometimes it is better to have a state mandate/regulation rather than 24 different mandates/regulations for the same environmental issue
Solar energy development
Loss of prime agricultural land to utility scale solar
Huge concern about solar energy uses in northern Baltimore County
Solar can help farmers keep on farming – use marginal land and farm the rest
Environmental protection is most rife with conflict if it stands in the way of economic development. Therefore, funds are needed to award those who protect beyond the minimum
Need a restructuring for sustainability of natural resources, as well as better planning by population/demographics: create a better connection of jurisdictions
We need laws to help define clean environment and open space in the milieu of suburban development
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Community
The diversity of park activities brings people together
When people don’t have money, more crime occurs
Grassroots community activities bring the people together and help the community understand the future
Affordable housing, clean safe green spaces, and schools are most important for my family. They create a strong, healthy community to raise children and thrive
How we allow/cause our lands to be developed determines the health of our communities
The culture of who we are is needed, or how else can we preserve what we had in the past to know how to move forward
Culture and heritage play a key role in MD and provide a sense of where we come from
Our community shares history and their heritage which is based in natural resources
Benjamin Banneker Museum could be an even better Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) center
A sense of place and culture is very important – too much of Maryland is “Nowhere”
Harford County is trying to help drug addiction issue, but needs more money
State government should reach out to local governments to assist with drug addiction programs
Non-profits
Non-profits provide guidance and checks-and-balances to unbridled development
Organizational action has a great positive impact, but sometimes they have to work against the efforts of the governments. It would be nice if government would not stand in the way of organizations trying to better their communities
Chesapeake Bay Trust funds are important to the local watershed work of non-profits in Howard County
Non-profits provide additional resources to communities
Non-profits provide important resources including education, workforce development and other resources to increase homeownership, foreclosure prevention, and job preparation. Funding to these organizations remains a challenge to continue their great work
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Funding
The state and federal government have the funds to make big (expensive) changes
Collaboration without money gets you nowhere
Funding enhances the ability of all programs. Invest in public transportation within regions and individual community needs, such as stormwater infrastructure in Ellicott City, or bringing economic stability and vitality to the Lower Eastern and Western counties
Fund only what is sustainable and serves A Better Maryland, not more low density greenfield development, which will bankrupt local and state coffers over time. Many local planners don’t have the resources to model long-term impacts
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Neighboring Jurisdictions
Coordinate and advise local comp plans, especially in adjacent jurisdictions such as Baltimore County’s resource conservation area, which is adjacent to Carroll County growth area (Route 30)
Some of these are, by definition, local; while others are more state-level, such as transportation. The point is that locals should not insist on protecting their turf (“land use is mine”!) but to look at what is win-win locally and statewide. These choices are not binary
County Master Plans sometimes do not consider what exists in the City’s within its borders
Building trust amongst different sections of cities is needed
Share best practices across counties for better police/community relations
Maintenance of multi-family units and affordable housing is a conflict with the neighboring jurisdiction
The state should use the Council of Governments model
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Communication
We need better collaboration between different levels of government
Greater collaboration is needed to understand what regulations and policies are necessary
Collaboration is the priority to determine what is best for sprawl and land use
Collaboration is key, or we will have highways to nowhere in one area a gridlock in others and it will be expensive
Three areas in which collaboration should happen, infrastructure of technology in very rural areas, fitting drug addiction, and schools
Collaboration almost by definition would include technical assistance and information. State has resources to collect information and share between jurisdictions
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What the County is Missing
Washington County
More activities for the youths such as community centers
Children’s hospital
Better public transportation
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State Agencies
State government may favor some areas over others
Greater collaboration to avoid duplication of services and the “sameness” of places. The state/local planning efforts should be complimentary and not conflicting
Frostburg is a small community, but I feel that I have good relationships with many state agencies to accomplish projects (and receive funding) – DHCD, MDOT, MDE, Planning/ARC, Commerce, etc. The local jurisdictions need to be responsible/proactive
The Maryland Historical Trust is currently making updates to their statewide preservation plan. That should relate to Reinvest Maryland planning effort
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Technical Assistance
Local jurisdictions need support from the state to do effective planning
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Planning
How can statewide planning be fine-tuned for effectiveness and the needs of a widely diverse set of communities?
The point of quality of life is that all land uses need to be in one place instead of being separated as in past zoning
Historic Preservation
Once a historic building is gone, it’s gone forever
Investment does not require demolition. Charles Village in Baltimore City exists because of the historic planning/architecture/housing. Keep small businesses and small buildings. Do not make everything a new mixed use big development block
Please include historic preservation/reinvestment as a topic. That’s not exactly “historical attractions” but more investing in existing places where the time and effort and energy has already been spent. De-incentivize sprawl
How will this effort address needs of historic communities? I live in Greenbelt, a New Deal planned community on the National Register of Historic Places
Greenbelt is a specific historic community that has unique value in Maryland
Revitalization and Redevelopment
Demand exceeding supply leads to the problems of traffic congestion, overpopulation, loss of lands, and overcrowded schools. Demand increases the need for development. Areas do not develop to the degree that causes such problems if there is no demand for housing, retail, and related services. Balancing the demand of those who want to locate in your community against the detraction it may cause to the pull factors of the community is exceedingly difficult
Older communities will only thrive if there isn’t infinite development in the outer areas which should be protected as open spaces and farmland. This also saves transportation funds
There are many efficiencies in shoring up older mixed-use communities over developing new ones that are single use (bedroom communities)
Need to address how an area will be revitalized — will it push people who live in the neighborhood away due to increase in cost for rent, food, etc?
Sprawl is not just ugly growth but causes problems with traffic etc., and erodes quality of life. Look what parking lots upstream just did to Ellicott City. Why can’t we build beautiful new places that matter instead of ugly car-based sprawl
If growth is so good for the economy, then why don’t my taxes go down to nothing when new houses are built? I don’t see the economic benefit to sprawl for existing residents
Local Government
Local government sets the tone through their comprehensive plans and plans focused on individual master plans. Local governments consider the specific characteristics, needs, and concerns of the local community and helps to bridge the various interests and stakeholders to collaborate towards the greater good of the community
County government allows for more boots on ground work within the community
Even the best local government initiative needs to be embedded into a good state plan and has federal support of local communities
Local government initiates partnership with state and/or federal government
Local governments can advocate for local needs
Across the state, the work of all levels of government and private investment needs to be public/transparent/and have buy in from local organizations and residents
Columbia Association and Howard County government together have had a most positive impact
Citizens attending city council meetings and expressing needs/desires is very important
The state can help to mitigate Not In My Back Yard (NIMBY) tendencies
Comprehensive statewide leadership in planning and management has not effectively addressed the real tough issues like what Ellicott City has recently experienced
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General
Prince George’s County, as the richest Maryland county with a predominantly black population, needs to be emphasized
Because each place and county has specific needs, collaboration – not regulation is key. But, thoughtful strategies need to come from Maryland leadership to benefit all of Maryland, i.e., historic preservation, de-incentivize cars, investment in parks and the environment
The most significant positive changes begin with citizen action. Individuals and organizations often raise the issues to the local govt and push for change
Schools and police are fundamental. Regulation of market forces protects the environment…which otherwise is abused
Assets
By Location
Charles County – Environmental organizations work hard to keep the flavor of Charles County’s rural nature and keep our natural resources as a priority
Montgomery County – Diversity coupled with dynamic and educated workforce
Prince George’s County – People from all kinds of backgrounds…race, ethnicity, education, income, and culture
Frostburg – As a community in Appalachia with a University, the diversity the student population brings to our community makes us stronger, in my opinion, than many other Appalachian communities by bringing different cultures and perspectives to a small town. Our diversity includes many cultures from all over the world
Maryland Capital Region – rural, urban, suburban; agriculture and hi-tech; diverse workforce, people
Baltimore City – The people, Baltimore City, Johns Hopkins, businesses, and residents all invest in this community
People live here because of the housing and small walkable businesses, green neighborhoods, multi-modal transportation, and jobs with Johns Hopkins, etc.
Pedestrian traffic
Neighborhood families, stores, schools
Convert unused properties into neighborhood green centers
In Park Heights area- funding to support development will help keep Pimlico race course and to upgrade the area to be more attractive
General
Opportunities to enjoy nature; play, safe places to enjoy the outdoors
Using everyone’s brain power is better than only using a portion of brain power
Character, convenience, walkability, diverse architecture
Diversity of habitat and geography across the state
Parks are everyone’s asset. They give back more value than they take
Challenges
By Location
Montgomery County – schools will begin to limit new development if new ones are not built
Bel Air – Parking and state highway down the center of our town. We are having issues with safety and speed in our town. We need to slow traffic down
Prince George’s County – Development is eating up our farmland
Anne Arundel County – Worried about too much development
Water access in AA County–infringes on residents of that area
Baltimore City – Attracting development in older communities, including Catonsville
West Baltimore needs support and attention
Frostburg – attracting development (delivering a Return on Investment)
Baltimore County – Distance to job sites (mentioned multiple times)
Gaithersburg – Housing affordability is a challenge, especially single-family and as it relates to wages
Cambridge – Schools that perform poorly discourage attracting young people to the community
Howard County- growing disparities in Howard County – a lot of self-segregation growing by school district
Frederick – Needs help with stormwater management
Charles County – Sprawl – Developers are changing the rural atmosphere and intruding on natural resources, which are a major attribute of Charles County
General
Higher wages for graduates struggling with debt
Retaining rural character (mentioned multiple times)
Rural areas do not have good internet options. No cable or high-speed internet service. Can only get satellite internet
Solar parks
Growth and Development
Development is still easier and cheaper in outlying areas and on farm fields than in existing communities
Growth is a challenge due to the cost of infrastructure to the government and the property owner
Preserve habitat for wildlife. Don’t turn all “natural’ areas into ball fields for parks. Birds, for example are rapidly diminishing. Too much sprawl
Speed, safety, walkability
We need connected development, no isolation
Transportation in rural areas
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