Conduit Street

The Growth Challenges General Session at the 2011 MACo Winter Conference discussed the daunting land use and environmental issues confronting both the State and county governments.  For those interested in having a copy of the presenters’ powerpoint presentations, they are available here.  Remember that some of the powerpoints may be large and will take a few minutes to load.

Jon M. Laria, Esquire, Chair, Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission Presentation

The Honorable Stephen W. Lafferty, Maryland House of Delegates Presentation

Melvin C. Beall, Jr., Director, Charles County Planning and Growth Management Presentation

Transportation plays a significant role in our economy and our quality of life.  Yet, we find that a lack of resources and State fiscal constraints are jeopardizing our transportation infrastructure.  Maryland’s backlog of highway, transit, port, and airport projects that are planned but not funded for construction has grown to an estimated $80 billion.  Local governments already face an enormous $3 billion backlog of road and bridge maintenance, even while more projects are being deferred.  Most counties are operating with less than 5% of the State road funding they received until recent budget cuts – and the State’s policy threatens to become a permanent state of affairs.  This facilitated session will discuss funding challenges, approaches for the restoration of local road funding, future direction of transportation, and recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Maryland Transportation Funding.  Speakers include:

Facilitator:  Donald C. Fry, President and CEO, Greater Baltimore Committee

County/Municipal Representatives:  Greg Africa, Deputy Director, Bureau of Highways, Anne Arundel County; Doug Taylor, Director, Roads Department, Somerset County; Oden Wheeler, Interim Director, Department of Public Works, City of Cambridge

Conference registration information can be found on the MACo website.

Declining revenues, including significant cuts in State aid to local governments, have forced counties to draw down rainy day and reserve funds, lay off hundreds of employees, eliminate thousands of positions, implement furloughs and pay reductions, reduce citizen services and delay projects.  Making these decisions is extremely difficult.  Many local government functions, such as maintaining roadways and overseeing jails simply must be performed, and reducing educational and public health services may have severe consequences on the populations served.   Presenters will discuss how they have managed their counties’ budget while preserving important county functions, and share strategies for addressing the challenging times ahead.  Speakers include:

John R. Hammond, Budget Officer, Anne Arundel County

Theodore Zaleski III, Director  of Budget and Finance, Carroll County

Andrew Mackel, Deputy Director of Finance, Wicomico County

Conference registration information can be found on the MACo website.

In addition to a  comprehensive introductory session on planning, MACo is also offering a general session that will discuss recent land use trends and challenges.

Maryland remains a high growth state, with an additional 1.4 million new residents anticipated from 2000 to 2030.  Counties must balance protecting their precious heritage and sensitive environment while meeting the challenges posed by this projected incoming population.  And they must strike these balances even while digesting numerous new requirements and goals for planning laws and regulations.  Speakers will discuss recent challenges and changes to Smart Growth law, the intersection and sometime conflict between Smart Growth principles and environmental protection principles, and the history and agenda of Maryland’s newly-refashioned Sustainable Growth Commission.  Speakers include:

The Honorable Stephen W. Lafferty, Maryland House of Delegates

Jon M. Laria, Esq., Chair, Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission

Melvin C. Beall, Jr., Director, Charles County Planning and Growth Management

Conference registration information can be found on the MACo website.

Perhaps nothing awaiting county elected officials is potentially more controversial or impactful as growth management and land use decisions.  In Maryland, land use authority is vested at the local level, but there are many steps and requirements in the current 6-year planning cycle.   Speakers will provide an overview of the local planning process, starting with the 12 land use visions that serve as the planning foundation, through the comprehensive plan and its required elements, ancillary requirements such as the water and sewer plan, and finally ending with the enactment of local zoning ordinances.  Completing the picture of these functions and roles, panelists will also review the functions of planning commissions and Boards of Appeals and the role of the State government.  Speakers include:

Richard E. Hall, AICP, Secretary, Maryland Department of Planning 

The Honorable Calvin B. Ball, Howard County Council Member

Derick Berlage, Director, Land Use and Growth Management, Saint Mary’s County

Conference registration information can be found on the MACo website.  The early discount rate for the 2011 MACo Winter Conference ends December 7th.