Three-quarters of a century of land-use planning has demonstrated that development, conservation, and sustainable quality of life are intertwined. Forests and farmland won’t be sufficiently protected unless local zoning and related tools limit adjacent development. Greenhouse-gas emissions will continue to be a threat if the majority of the workforce can reach jobs only by driving from homes so widely dispersed that they cannot be served by public transportation.
At current trends, about 560,000 additional acres will be developed in Maryland by 2030. A Smart Growth scenario could limit the land consumption to less than one-third of that. Smart Growth would impact many fewer watersheds and agricultural and natural resource lands. And it would make more economical use of our roads, schools, and other public infrastructure.
We have embarked on fulfilling a 35-year-old promise to create a State Growth Plan. The effort, what we’re calling PlanMaryland, aims to break down government “silos”—ways of doing business that fail to communicate and coordinate growth-related programs and policies.
The work of various departments—transportation, housing, environment, energy, education—plays a major role in how our communities develop. We just wrapped up a first round of public forums and other meetings with stakeholders that reached more than 1,000 Marylanders to gain input before we begin drafting the plan this summer. After more public outreach, we intend to have a completed plan by mid 2011.
Anticipating and integrating long-term economic, environmental, and social needs is essential if we’re to leave a healthier, prosperous, and sustainable Maryland to our children and grandchildren.
Visit PlanMaryland's website by clicking here
To learn ways to get involved click here.
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