​Department of Planning ​A Better Maryland

Online Session 1

Second Round Listening Session

January 10, 2019, 1:00- 2:30 p.m.

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 Strategy
Prepare interagency tools to evaluate the effectiveness of environmental programs

Comments:

    • Are there not interagency tools to evaluate effectiveness already in place? If so, please give examples
    • Can you elaborate on the incorporation of agriculture into resource conservation efforts? What are some of the recommendations being made? Will
    • farmers and watermen be at the table?
    • Environment – eastern shore will have big issues with sea level rise and will need tremendous state support and planning
    • How about exploring the delegation of state authority to jurisdictions with lax local regulations? Is that possible?

 

Economic Development

Selected Topic
Improving Economic Growth and Development in Existing Communities

Selected Strategy
Develop state level resources and programs for leveraging investment in Maryland’s federally designated Opportunity Zones

Comments

    • There are jobs available, but not enough persons with the skills to fill them. Retraining efforts for the population would be important to consider
    • I would like to see shared space for entrepreneurs, small business startups, training in preexisting buildings

 

Community Development

Selected Topic
Creating Quality Places

Selected Strategy
Promote projects that enhance quality mixed-use development and support vibrant communities

Comments

    • Create a place online that lists projects for people to see and possibly collaborate on to help promote mixed-use development
    • We need to determine what has been working best in existing mixed-use communities to further enhance quality of life and vibrancy of future mixed-use projects
    • Isn’t Maryland already promoting mixed-use development to support vibrant communities?
    • Create a place on an agency website that would talk about plans or other possibilities in different communities around the state
    • Localities could provide information on what its plans are to the state for this website
    • Baltimore City needs quality places that replace vacant blocks
    • Neighborhood associations and coalitions are resources that should be included in planning and implementation
    • Sometimes good quality projects may not be mixed-use development. Some previous transit-oriented development mixed-use projects are not that successful because the retail part can’t attract tenants and sustain them. So be mindful about promoting mixed-use everywhere.
    • Realtors can be a huge asset
    • Provide opportunities for leaders across the state to visit each other’s exemplary projects

 

Collaboration / Coordination

Selected Topic
Improving the Delivery of Programs and Services to Local Jurisdictions

Selected Strategy
Conduct regional business training events to inform and educate businesses and local governments of the processes and opportunities to conduct business with State partners

Comments

    • Regarding services and programs and local jurisdictions, look at the Virginia Comprehensive Services Act, now call the Children’s Services ActLook at legislative changes to allow cities to have a say in programs that are funded to the counties. Programs which impact cities, but do not allow cities to have a say in how or to whom services are provided
    • Ask community foundations in the state about who the individual leaders are in their area
    • Look for opportunities to speak to the leadership groups of jurisdictions, such as those in Baltimore County
    • Need to include leadership of minority populations
    • Need better education for local governments
    • Engage groups that include leaders of various organizations, college presidents, top leaders of businesses, banks. There is a leadership group for the state of Maryland