1. Land Use Challenges In Maryland Today
MACO Mid-Winter Meeting
January 2011

2. Many Challenges Have Been Long Standing
Protecting our quality of life for all residents
How to best manage growth
How to preserve land, communities and ways of life
Balancing environmental protection and growth
Transportation networks and needs
Funding and financial stability

3. Past Decisions Have Set The Stage For Today
Funding of federal highway system opened land for development
State regulations in absence of local action
Comprehensive plans and local zoning
State support for of Smart Growth, land preservation and redevelopment
“Flush fee” for the Bay Restoration Fund
Reliance on gas tax

4. Economic Conditions Remain Dominant Consideration
Protecting Investments

5. Encouraging Investments: Commercial And Residential Development

6. Avoiding Speculation and Potential Abandonment
Revitalization and sound land use planning are fiscally responsible

7. Protecting the Bay And Our Environment Have Economic Benefits

8. Need For Funds To Address Local Concerns
Roads
Stormwater Management
Waterway Protection
Schools

9. THE NEED TO BALANCE GROWTH VS. PRESERVATION

10. Agricultural Economy And Heritage
Growing Conflicts between farm and non-farm activities with more development

11. Maintaining a Balance Between Jobs and Housing
Creating jobs without causing greater congestion on the roads

12. Do economic development goals drive land use decisions?
How much growth is needed and sustainable?
Are there cross jurisdictional impacts and chances to coordinate where there is growth?
If we foster greater density, is there adequate school, road system and sewer capacity?
Does allowing sprawl or place greater fiscal strain on governments ?

13. Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs)
Improvements are needed to State’s water quality
Requirements have been set by the EPA
Setting the “pollution diet” for the Bay and all of its watersheds
Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) set for 4 sectors:
Waste water treatment plants
Stormwater
Agriculture
Septic systems

16. Problems With Large Storm Water Management Facilities
Stream Erosion
Mosquito Habitat
Maintenance Costs
Construction Costs

17. Micro-Bioretention A planting bed with a mixture
of sand, soil, and organic matter
which filters stormwater runoff.

18. Impacts And Considerations Of The WIPs
Counties are important part of state effort
If plans are inadequate – state and EPA will make decisions
TMDLs will drive land use decisions
Clash between revitalization and stormwater management regulations
Supporting areas already developed; not driving growth
to areas served by septics and wells
State legislation in place to support implementation
Critical Areas, Stormwater Management, Septic upgrades
Will be expensive to implement so is best to direct and refocus development where it exists

19. Maryland Transportation System
Aging Infrastructure
Cannot add road capacity without great cost
Has been largely financed by state’s gas tax

20. Reductions To Highway User Revenues In FY 2011 -71
Reductions To Highway User Revenues In FY % From Mandatory Funding Levels

21. Aging Population and Changing Lifestyles Suggest Less Reliance On Motor Vehicles

22. Transportation Needs
Need for holistic and regional transportation approaches and solutions
Reducing travel distances for commuting to work and for personal, social and recreational needs
Must preserve transportation options
Must consider environmental and economic impacts

23. Effectively Measuring Success
Are we making progress toward our land use goals?
State law requires reports on certain indicators
Are the indicators the correct ones and how should they be used?
Should state rewards, resources, and benefits be tied to performance standards?

24. Delegate Steve Lafferty
Thank You !
Delegate Steve Lafferty
6 Bladen Street, Room 306
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Annapolis
Cell