Second Round Listening Session: Somerset County Commissioners’ Office - October 17, 2018

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.

Environment

Selected Topic
Sustaining the Environment into the Future

Selected Strategies
Multiple Selected

Comments:

• • Lack of MDE involvement in local projects (manufacturing plants, junkyards) run-off issues, funding cut for MDE inspectors. Jurisdictions need help when problems arise and local expertise for dealing with them does not exist.
  • Address the issue of greywater. There is a better use for it
  • Further research and study of mega chicken farms and their impact (smell, manure management)
  • Look at larger metro areas that contribute to Chesapeake Bay pollution, not just farms
  • Need for a better integrated and coordinated state GIS platform, acting as a one stop shop
  • Health Departments need to step up the grease trap inspections
  • Need more incentive based conservation efforts, such as cover crops

Economic Development

Selected Topic
Addressing Maryland’s Transportation, Infrastructure, and Technology Challenges and Opportunities

Selected Strategy
Provide programs for infrastructure assistance to economic development projects at different scales. The discussion transitioned into an overall dialogue on infrastructure and transportation needs

Comments

• • More job training and information on existing training programs should be provided
  • State funding of training opportunities
  • Need more scientific/technology incubators
  • Taxation relief for retirees who benefit local economy
  • Missed opportunity with potential housing market for Wallops employees, technical assistance from state to local government
  • Highway User revenues need to be restored
  • MDOT should listen to local needs and not go solely by stats (ie. bike lanes, traffic signals)
  • Water and sewer infrastructure is a huge need that should be partially funded by grants
    • Aging pipes, main breaks
  • Need more interjurisdictional communication on infrastructure issues and ownership
  • Allow municipalities with stringent requirements to go back to using septic systems for development
  • Provision of broadband to rural areas is a huge economic development tool
  • Help with cell tower issues and natural gas lines

Community Development

Selected Topic
Creating Workforce/Affordable Housing

Selected Strategy
Multiple Selected

Comments

• • Many people think that affordable housing only means Section 8, when we really need affordable retirement communities (55 +)
  • Educating individuals on the benefits of homeownership
  • Lead paint regulations have led to the razing of good housing
  • Sprinkler laws hinder the development of affordable housing
  • The housing energy codes are so strict and complicated that it takes an engineer to design and use them
  • We need more information and technical assistance on land banks
  • Too many homes are being demolished
  • Both absentee landlords and renters can be an issue
  • Maryland needs to prioritize the affordable housing issue by putting more state funding into it
  • Maryland needs to be a more tax friendly state
  • We should “promote” rather than just “protect” historic resources
  • Historic guidelines are too strict. Facade improvement can help offset the costs

Collaboration / Coordination

Selected Topic
Multiple Selected

Selected Strategies
Multiple Selected

Comments

• • The state needs to hold more meetings on the shore
  • Improve timing of the approval process
  • One size does not fit all. We need study groups to look into regional distinctions
  • The Eastern Shore is unique; we want growth, but not the same kind as Baltimore
  • Local should get a percentage of the retail tax
  • Need state funding to help municipalities buy heavy equipment, similar to what the United States Department of Agriculture provides