Maryland Association of County (MACo) representatives testified before the Transportation and Environment Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee on transit oriented development (TOD) on January 21.  Representatives from the Maryland Department of Transportation and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority also testified.

TOD is a collaborative approach between the State and a county to focus high density mixed use development around public transit facilities.  MACo speakers included MACo Associate Director Les Knapp, Baltimore City Transportation Deputy Director Jamie Kendrick, Harford County Deputy Planning Director Tony McClune, and Prince George’s Countywide Planning Division Chief John Funk.  The speakers expressed support for TOD and provided TOD project examples. 

Mr. Knapp also stressed that TOD should not be the sole focus of Smart Growth efforts and that smaller communities with bus lines should also be able to benefit from TOD.  Subcommittee Chair Tawanna Gaines agreed with Mr. Knapp’s concerns.