February 27, 2010
MACo Associate Director Les Knapp supported SB 278 with amendments before the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee on February 23. The bill, sponsored by the Administration, would reconstitute the Task Force on the Future for Growth and Development in Maryland, which is set to sunset in December, 2010, into the Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission. The Commission would run until the end of 2020.
Mr. Knapp noted that concerns raised by MACo over the membership and duties of the Commission at the prior House hearing had been addressed through amendments being offered by the Maryland Department of Planning. He stated that the Maryland Municipal League also supports amendments.
The House Environmental Matters Committee accepted the proposed amendments, but also amended the bill to add four additional representatives from the Baltimore and Washington metropolitan regions.
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Posted by Les Knapp
February 21, 2010
MACo Associate Director Les Knapp testified in support of HB 474 with amendments before the House Environmental Matters Committee on February 17. The bill, sponsored by the Administration, would reconstitute the Task Force on the Future for Growth and Development in Maryland, which is set to sunset in December, 2010, into the Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission. The Commission would run until the end of 2020.
Maryland Secretary of Planning Rich Hall and Growth Task Force Chair Jon Laria testified in support of the bill, arguing for the usefulness of a more permanent body than the Growth Task Force. Secretary Hall stated, “The Task Force plays a vital role as a proving ground for ideas.” Mr. Laria also noted that the creation of a long-term advisory body was a recommendation of the Task Force in its December 2008 report.
Mr. Knapp explained that while MACo had initial concerns regarding the membership and duties of the Growth Task Force, MACo believes the Task Force has fairly represented different stakeholder viewpoints and strived to build a consensus-based approach to land use issues. He did raise concerns, however, about the proposed membership and charges of the Commission.
He offered amendments that proposed the addition of three additional charges relating to State infrastructure and land preservation funding, review of State land use indicators, and the progress of State governmental units in meeting the 12 State planning visions. The amendments would also provide that the 5 regional members should be selected from lists submitted by the various regional planning bodies (tri-county councils and council of governments) rather than just being selected by the Governor. Mr. Knapp noted that the Maryland Municipal League also supported the amendments.
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 1000 Friends of Maryland, Maryland League of Conservation Voters, and the Sierra Club also testified in support of the bill.
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Posted by Les Knapp
January 29, 2010
The House Environmental Matters Committee heard an update on January 26 on the issues surrounding stormwater regulations that will take effect on May 4. Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Deputy Secretary Bob Summers defended the regulations against concerns that the regulations would make redevelopment projects too expensive and work against Smart Growth principles. He stated that forthcoming guidance from MDE would provide the flexibility needed to address revitalization and project grandfathering concerns.
Task Force on the Future of Growth and Development in Maryland Chair Jon Laria summarized the presentations made at the Growth Task Force’s January 15 Stormwater Management Forum, stating “We need a vigorous, committed, and monitored process on what effect these regulations will have on Smart Growth.” He noted that the regulations provide for flexibility, but that it was hard to evaluate in the abstract.
Committee Chairman Maggie McIntosh concurred and gave MDE four weeks to complete its guidance documents. She warned that if the guidance did not show adequate flexibility, “you will have bills.”
Center Maryland article
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Posted by Les Knapp
January 18, 2010
In response to concerns raised over recently promulgated stormwater management regulations, the Task Force on the Future of Growth and Development in Maryland held a forum at the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) on Friday, January 15. MDE discussed the regulatory changes, which requires adoption of environmental site design techniques, such as vegetated swales, green roofs, rain gardens, pervious surfaces, and rain barrels to treat stormwater runoff. The Maryland Association of Counties (MACo), the Maryland Municipal League, and representatives of the building community presented their concerns. Environmental groups defended the regulations.
The MACo panelists stated they had two concerns with the regulations: (1) the need to grandfather long-term staged projects; and (2) the requirements for redevelopment may make revitalization and Smart Growth projects unfeasible. The testimony lasted over three hours and the MDE conference room was packed with over 200 people, including House Environmental Matters Committee Chair Maggie McIntosh and members of the Environmental Matters Committee.
As reported in the Baltimore Sun:
Critics of the new rules are preparing to seek legislative relief.
Del. Maggie McIntosh, chair of the House Environmental Matters Committee, sat in on the forum, as did several other legislators. Despite assurances from environmental officials that they’ll consider adjusting the regulations in response to the complaints, the Baltimore Democrat said she expected the General Assembly would move to ensure that the storm-water measure doesn’t cause unintended consequences.
“We do not want to make it prohibitive or too costly to do urban or infill redevelopment,” she said. “That will not provide smart growth. It will do just the opposite.”
As reported by Center Maryland:
Members of the Maryland Municipal League sought to present a middle ground, supporting the new provisions, but urging policymakers to examine their effects on the state.
“The devils is in the details,” said Candace Donoho, director of governmental relations at the Maryland Municipal Leage [sic], who expressed concern about the regulations’ impact on downtown areas. By discouraging redevelopment, the provisions, she said, could channel a rise in strip malls on the outskirts of cities, breaking up the “fabric” of the state’s urban centers and towns.
“We don’t want to turn this thing upside down,” she said. “We just want to make it work”
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Posted by Les Knapp
January 14, 2010
A recent Center Maryland article highlights the challenges when Smart Growth and environmental policies potentially collide. In most circumstances, what is good for Smart Growth is also good for the environment. However, as highlighted by the controversy over recent adopted stormwater management regulations, sometimes these two policy goals are in opposition. Part of the concern over the regulations stems from the negative impact they may have on revitalization efforts in already developed areas. As the article notes:
New stormwater regulations have widened a rift between Maryland’s environmental and development communities, raising questions about whether the new provisions will harm the very Smart Growth they aim to encourage. …
The new provisions illustrate a larger state trend, according to Leslie Knapp, associate director of the Maryland Association of Counties: An increasingly common collision between environmental and smart growth policies as policymakers strive to foster both sustainability and prosperity.
To address this, as well the impacts of the new regulations, the Task Force on the Future for Growth and Development in Maryland – a group of citizens, politicians, business leaders and others responsible for studying development in the state – will sponsor a forum on Friday (Jan. 15).
MACo has a panel of representatives from Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Howard County, and Queen Anne’s County who will present at the forum.
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Posted by Les Knapp
December 8, 2009
Extract from a recent communication to MACo (and other stakeholders) from the Task Force on the Future for Growth & Development in Maryland:
NEW DATE — Maryland Stormwater Management Forum – January 15, 2010
In deference to the Choose Clean Water Conference to be held in Washington, DC on January 10-12, and the conflict it presents for certain individuals and groups wanting to participate in our Task Force forum on Maryland stormwater management, we have elected to move our stormwater management forum to the afternoon of Friday, January, 15, 2010, in Baltimore. Further details about time and location may be obtained from MDP when registering. We apologize for any inconvenience.
- – - – -
On January 15, 2010, the Task Force on the Future for Growth & Development in Maryland will hold a forum on the topic of potential impacts of the implementation of Maryland’s Stormwater Management Act of 2007.
The Task Force especially wants to hear from interested and informed parties about the potential Smart Growth implications of the program. The Maryland Departments of the Environment and Planning are also interested in obtaining recommendations for developing a methodology by which they could monitor whether the program is having unintended consequences on redevelopment.
Speakers, who must preregister for planning purposes, are invited to provide specific examples of how the program may promote or inhibit Smart Growth, as well as ideas for a methodology for monitoring the potential effects of the program on redevelopment. Examples that include cost analyses are encouraged.
MACo is assembling a panel of county officials for this forum. County officials interested in participating or attending should contact Les Knapp at MACo to help coordinate.
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Posted by Michael Sanderson
December 4, 2009
Following a conversation with the MACo Board of Directors at its recent retreat, Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Shari Wilson followed up with MACo President Wilson Parran regarding several issues raised regarding pending stormwater management regulations.
Key excerpt:
All of the State’s efforts to improve water quality could be undermined if we do not adopt sensible growth patterns, and the Department consistently reviews each set of requirements to make sure it is compatible with or encourages Smart Growth. While we think these approaches are sound, we recognize that there is concern among certain supporters of Smart Growth that this requirement,which will help reduce a major source of Chesapeake Bay pollution, will have the unintended consequence of discouraging Smart Growth. It is important, as you have done, to raise and discuss these issues
Read the full letter here.
She also makes mention of the upcoming meeting of the Task Force on the Future for Growth and Development‘s scheduled meeting for January 11, being convened specifically to discuss the stormwater management proposals’ potential effect on smart growth initiatives, a subject frequently raised as a concern by county officials.
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Posted by Michael Sanderson
November 30, 2009
On January 11, 2010, the Task Force on the Future for Growth & Development in Maryland will hold a forum on the topic of potential impacts of the implementation of Maryland’s Stormwater Management Act of 2007.
The Task Force especially wants to hear from interested and informed parties about the potential Smart Growth implications of the program. The Maryland Departments of the Environment and Planning are also interested in obtaining recommendations for developing a methodology by which they could monitor whether the program is having unintended consequences on redevelopment.
Speakers, who must preregister for planning purposes, are invited to provide specific examples of how the program may promote or inhibit Smart Growth, as well as ideas for a methodology for monitoring the potential effects of the program on redevelopment. Examples that include cost analyses are encouraged.
If you wish to speak on January 11th please e-mail Shannon Marino, Maryland Department of Planning (smarino@mdp.state.md.us) by December 15, 2009. Please direct any questions to Jenny King at (410)-767-4500.
Speakers are expected to supply a minimum of 60 copies of their presentations and any supplemental or supporting materials. PowerPoint presentations should be brought on flash drives with hard copies for distribution.
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Posted by Michael Sanderson
November 20, 2009
The Priority Funding Area (PFA) Workgroup of the Task Force on the Future of Growth and Development in Maryland met on November 19 to continue its deliberations on reforming PFAs. The Workgroup agreed to organize issues around five key themes: (1) redefining PFA criteria; (2) creating regulatory incentives for development inside PFAs and disincentives for development outside of PFAs; (3) creating revenue incentives for development inside of PFAs and disincentives for development outside of PFAs; (4) adopting performance-based growth goals; and (5) subdividing PFAs into “tiers” or “targeted areas” for State funding purposes.
Potential discussion areas include relaxing or eliminating APFO requirements inside of PFAs, requiring counties to include PFAs in their comprehensive plans, having a State land use commission certify PFAs and make legally nonbinding decisions on State/local disputes, and denying State permits for building projects outside of PFAs.
The PFA Workgroup also approved three reports recommending PFA review for new school buildings and sites (but not renovations or capacity expansions); having the State Public School Construction program adopt a non-binding 5-year funding plan; calculating the funding amount necessary to meet minimum education needs, similar to the 2004 Task Force to Study Public School Facilities recommendation; and further study of the use of vertical schools.
Frederick County Commission President Jan Gardner and MACo Associate Director Les Knapp are the MACo representatives on the Workgroup. The next meeting of the Workgroup has not been scheduled. The full Growth Task Force will meet on December 2. For further information go to: http://www.mdp.state.md.us/YourPart/773/Task_Force.shtml.
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Posted by Les Knapp
