1. Protecting the Shore through…
Strategic Land Conservation
Sound Land Use Planning

2. What the Eastern Shore wants…
Vibrant and well defined towns;
Thriving farms, forests, and fisheries; and,
Protected scenic, historic, and natural landscapes.

3. What the Eastern Shore is getting…
Increasing pace of development;
New expansion area for major metropolitan builders;
Exploding towns.

4. What the Eastern Shore Is Saying..
87% of Shore residents: “very concerned” or “concerned” about the the rate and type of growth.
6 out of 10 county residents: managing growth was the most important issue.
82% of County residents: if current rates and type of growth continue, quality of life will deteriorate
71% of County residents: gave the County government a “poor” or “just fair” rating for handling growth

5. Where We Are Headed…?

6. Cecil County in Context: Housing
(this information is from the MD Dept of Planning)

8. Cecil County in Context: Protected Lands
(data from ESLC task force work on ES 2010, goal 1)

9. Cecil County in Context: Farmland Loss
(data from the Md Ag Land Preservation Foundation)

10. County Ag Zoning County Ag Zoning Caroline 1:20 Cecil 1:8, 1:5
Dorchester
Kent
1:30 QA
Talbot

11. Land Preservation & Development Trends in Cecil County
More acreage preserved than converted in last 10 years, but still losing 2.5 acres of agricultural land a day
Majority of building lots approved each year are in the rural parts of the County, not the growth corridor

12. Eastern Shore 2010
Protect 50% of Eastern Shore land outside of locally-designated growth by voluntary conservation.
Build support for agriculture, fisheries, and forestry.
Guide at least 50% of new development into locally-designated growth areas.
Develop a regional transportation plan..

13. Land Protection Goals
Cecil County – 55,000 acres

14. Growth Management Goals

15. Where Do We Go From Here? Growth management tools
Determine how, when and where we grow
Protect our working farms
Create a better future for existing neighborhoods
Protect our communities, the economy and our environment Provide choices and opportunities for everyone.