Second Round Listening Session

January 10, 2019, 6:30 – 8:00 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
Incorporate agriculture into resource conservation efforts in implementing watershed improvements and other programs

Comments:

• • Road salt and other chemicals are huge issues in Garrett County. Getting remediation is complicated. We need help for citizens to get through the
  • State Highway Administration and other processes to get drinkable water
  • Why doesn’t Maryland have a stronger water re-use program. ie purple pipe?
    I am very concerned about offshore drilling and seismic surveys. Was Governor Hogan successful in removing Maryland’s waters from sites? How can everyone here on the Eastern Shore learn more regarding these issues? As a Marine Biologist these are major concerns of mine.

Economic Development

Selected Topic
Meeting Renewable Energy Goals

Selected Strategy
Develop statewide renewable energy guidance, which considers land use compatibility and economic viability, and identifies associated state agency support

Comments

• • Renewable energy is both a blessing and a curse. Most people do not want fracking ever to come and need the jobs green energy provides to counter the jobs people think they have lost with the fracking ban. Yet we (Garrett County) also get the wind mills that other counties don’t want or have made illegal, but the state needs to meet its goals
  • Wind mills are wonderful, but they are ruining our ridge tops. We get the majority from the state to meet their wind mill goals. Wind mills on the ridge top don’t necessarily match our recreational and tourism industry. We need help in making sure wind mills are well positioned and not counter to our economy
  • How can we attract renewable energy businesses and jobs to Western Maryland? Manufacturing, installation, community solar organizations, etc.
  • Renewable energy is very important, but we also need to educate people about energy efficiency because the less energy you use then you need fewer sources of energy (e.g.: fewer solar farms, fewer wind farms, etc)
  • Maryland should investigate things like solar roadways
  • How do we prevent green washing? Ie, taking down forests to build solar farms?
  • This is an issue in Charles County where Georgetown University is going to buy solar energy and build in a forested area of the western county

Community Development

Selected Topic
Affordable Housing and Building Capacity

Selected Strategy
Affordable Housing: Develop inter-agency resources for identifying unique housing conditions, needs, and strategies for Maryland’s regions and analyzing the impact that state and local regulations and policies have on the cost of housing

Building Capacity: Develop broad range of local planning and governance educational programs for citizens and local officials

Comments

• • In Garrett County, we are losing population because of a lack of affordable housing (especially because our jobs pay so little). The sprinkler law is hurting us horribly! Our homes are not next to each other!
  • Local officials need training on taking responsibility for citizen engagement. It’s not just the fault of citizens for not being engaged…it’s the local government’s responsibility to make their process is open and engaging. How can the state provide training and resources to local officials to help them take responsibility?
  • The State wealth formula for education is hurting Garrett County. We are calculated to be the fourth wealthiest county yet are also the third lowest county in terms of per capita income. We need help with getting the wealth formula altered so that we can keep our schools open! Wealth formula doesn’t work for us!
  • Income percentage needs to be upped…property tax percentage in the wealth formula needs to be lessened here in Garrett County.
  • Online forums give an opportunity for more people to participate.
  • The state really needs to have better internet access for everyone! as an example, I keep dropping off this webinar. Internet access is essential

Collaboration / Coordination

Selected Topic
Respecting Regional Distinctions

Selected Strategy
Evaluate proposed state legislation for regional impacts similar to, or included in, a fiscal note facilitate regional communication opportunities for jurisdictions to interact with each other and state agencies to address shared regional concerns

Comments

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