A July 29 Baltimore Sun article discusses the complexity and challenges of a Howard County land preservation deal to preserve a significant portion of the estate and manor of Charles Carroll, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.  Some county residents also objected to the deal, which relies on a mix of development and preservation agreements. A plan to cluster development in one corner of historic Doughoregan Manor while preserving the rest of the once-vast Colonial estate received…

As reported by the Baltimore Sun, a developer has offered to build a new contract school as part of  a new development in the Laurel area, but first certain utility and zoning changes need to be approved by the county. Anne Arundel County Councilman James Benoit said Monday that he plans to ask County Executive John R. Leopold to allow the council to consider the county's public utilities plan in an effort to move forward…

MACo Associate Director Les Knapp attended the Mid-Shore PlanMaryland Forum that was held at Chesapeake College on May 12.  As previously reported, the Maryland Department of Planning is holding a series of public forums across the State as part of its process to create a State land use plan.  The forums consist of a "meet and greet" session, a demographics poll conducted with remote keypad devices, and a series of roundtable discussions where participants identify the three most important State…

The Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) is continuing the process of adopting a Statewide landuse plan, dubbed "PlanMaryland."   MDP has sought public feedback on PlanMaryland through a series of public forums.  The remaining scheduled forums include:  May 6 at Salisbury University, May 12 at Chesapeake College, May 19 at Frostburg State University, May 26 at Cecil College, June 3 at Bowie State University, June 9 at Hood College, and June 16 at Washington College.  Click here for more forum information.  MACo…

MACo successfully resisted HB 1344, which would have frozen (tolled) the expiration of State and local building permits and approvals, including zoning approvals and subdivision approvals until January 1, 2013.  MACo opposed the bill as an unwarranted mandate on local land use authority. The House passed the bill but the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee did not vote on the bill.