Today's Baltimore Sun discusses the "roadblock" facing the Governor's proposed limits on septic-based development, as the Chair of the House's Environmental Matters Committee has suggested that the bill be referred for more complete study over the interim. However, contrary to some earlier reports (and the discussion at MACo's Legislative Committee yesterday), it now appears that the Governor will continue to press for the bill's passage in this year's legislative session. From the Sun coverage: Del.…

Suburban areas throughout the nation are working to find effective means to address population increases, changing housing preferences, and growing infrastructure costs, all while making communities more sustainable. The National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education, the Montgomery County Planning Department, and the Urban Studies and Planning Program at the University of Maryland are co-hosting a two-day conference entitled Makeover Montgomery: Innovative Strategies for Rethinking America's Suburbs Conference. Conference topics include: Planning tools to…

MACo Associate Director Leslie Knapp and Howard County Director of Planning and Zoning Marsha McLaughlin were joined by two Maryland Municipal League (MML) representatives in discussing past and present local government land use and environmental priorities before the House Environmental Matters Committee on January 26.  Mr. Knapp and the presenters highlighted the significant amount of local government mandates and responsibilities that have been passed onto local governments since 2006, the budget challenges facing local governments,…