A Missed Opportunity at the Loch Raven Reservoir

Since taking office, I have worked with my colleagues to expand Baltimore County’s bicycling network. Not only do trails and bicycle routes promote physical fitness, but they can boost local businesses; simply look at the activity on the Northern Central Railroad Trail on a sunny weekend.

While I have enjoyed bicycling since my days as a Boy Scout, I never knew much until recently about mountain biking, which involves off-road riding, often over rough terrain. In fact, mountain biking is a growing sport throughout the United States. In our region, thousands of mountain bikers belong to the Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts, a nonprofit organization that maintains more than 250 miles of trails in 25 state and county parks.

Source:  Baltimore Sun.

MORE has been working to expand the trail network in Loch Raven Reservoir, the largest undeveloped area in the urbanized part of Baltimore County. No one disputes that the reservoir’s primary purpose is to supply water to hundreds of thousands of residents in the Baltimore region. But the reservoir is also a place for recreation and peace of mind to those same residents.

Unfortunately, the mountain biking community is at an impasse with Baltimore City, which owns and maintains the reservoir. Earlier this year, the Baltimore County Council passed a resolution urging the two parties to reach an agreement in a way that would still protect the reservoir’s water quality. I then heard that certain city officials refused to budge because they interpreted the county’s environmental ordinance as an obstacle. With this in mind, I have now introduced a bill that would clearly give the city the authority to allow mountain biking within the reservoir’s forest buffer.

For me, this impasse is frustrating on many levels. First, there must be a way to expand the trail network without damaging the integrity of the reservoir’s water supply. Loch Raven Reservoir is such an important asset for Baltimore County residents, particularly in the densely-populated York Road corridor.

Second, the city is missing an opportunity to engage an organization like MORE, which has the volunteer and financial capacity to improve the reservoir. Several weeks ago, Senator Jim Brochin and I joined dozens of volunteers at the organization’s “Clean Stream” event. This organization includes many professionals who could raise private sector funds for environmental enhancements, signage, and other improvements.

But most importantly, at a time when Baltimore City is garnering headlines for bungling our water bills, this is an opportunity to make a difference for the thousands of Baltimore Countians who value the Loch Raven Reservoir. Instead, all we hear is no, no, no—and that’s unfortunate.

Expanding the Property Tax Credit for Energy-Efficient Homes

This past weekend, we marked the observance of Earth Day. I joined volunteers at a tree planting and community clean-up in the Ridgeleigh neighborhood off Loch Raven Boulevard, and I salute the volunteers throughout the Fifth District who helped at other events, from Towson to Perry Hall.

The Baltimore County Council elected in 2010 has passed many measures to help improve the environment. The first legislation I sponsored, Bill 2-11, created a Baltimore County Pedestrian and Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee to help expand our trail network and increase bicycling. Bill 7-12 established the first-ever zoning category for open space. Other bills have strengthened the role of NeighborSpace of Baltimore County, which preserves undeveloped land.

In 2010, the previous County Council passed legislation that provides a property tax credit for three years for either a new home that exceeds the Home Energy Rating System by 40 percent or for an existing home whose energy performance is increased by 40 percent. I have introduced Bill 23-12, which also qualifies homes that meet the International Code Council’s National Green Building Standard. The new standard judges not just the unit, but site development plans and other factors.

The new legislation shows that sound environmental policies can be good for taxpayers as well. We should be doing all we can to encourage the construction of energy-efficient homes that consumers will buy.

The County Executive's Budget Proposal

On Thursday, April 12, the County Executive presented his Fiscal Year 2013 budget proposal to the County Council. The Council will now spend the next month pouring over details of the budget plan.

Over the past two years, I have publicly complimented the County Executive’s overall approach to the budget. Baltimore County has been managed better than many other jurisdictions around the United States. The administration deserves credit for not raising tax rates, for consolidating agencies, and for trimming the number of employees to the lowest point since the early 1980s.

The County Council has supported many of these initiatives. Taxpayers expect us to act like grown-ups and solve the county’s problems. They want us to have an open line of communication with the executive branch of government. I believe my colleagues on the County Council are prepared to demonstrate maturity and a sense of fiscal discipline as we move forward.

The budget addresses operating and capital expenses. Operating expenses represent the everyday administration of government, while capital projects are those that improve roads, infrastructure, parks, and schools.

On the capital side, I am very pleased that the budget follows through on earlier commitments to address school overcrowding in the Towson area, which I represent. The York Road corridor includes the most crowded schools in Baltimore County. I have been a strong supporter of additions at Stoneleigh Elementary School and Hampton Elementary School, as well as a new school at Mays Chapel. I will vigorously defend these projects in the proposed budget.

I am disappointed at the level of investment in schools in Parkville, Carney, and Perry Hall. The choice was made not to fund new air conditioning at a single school northeast of Towson. I am also disappointed that certain road construction projects were deferred, but I recognize that these are very expensive. There is a $20 million resurfacing program that is not broken out by community. Hopefully, this will be utilized in a fair and balanced manner.

Over the past 16 months, our office has been able to get a lot done in northeastern Baltimore County: a commercial revitalization district in Perry Hall, funding to start the Northeast Trail, new sidewalks, and approval for a regional dog park, among other items. Districtwide, my rezoning initiative looks at the development potential of more than 480 acres to make sure our neighborhoods are not overwhelmed by future growth. This is especially important given limited funding for schools and new infrastructure.

I will continue to work on these important projects and always look forward to partnering with the administration in the future.

More Public Notice for Zoning Hearings

Last night, the Baltimore County Council passed Bill 15-12, which extends the public notice period for a proposed variance or special exception, which can affect what is built in our neighborhoods.  The new time period is 20 days, as opposed to the current 15-day requirement.

I cosponsored the bill, and was the sponsor of an amendment that now requires proposed variances and special exceptions to be posted on the Internet.

Much of this County Council's work has focused on making the zoning and development process more open to the public.  Bill 15-12 represents another important step as we make the process fairer to all.

Banning Panhandle Lots in Carney, Cub Hill, and Parkville

At the Baltimore County Council meeting on April 2nd, I will introduce legislation with Councilwoman Cathy Bevins that will ban panhandle building lots in the Carney-Cub Hill-Parkville area.

A panhandle lot.

A panhandle is one in which a developer is allowed to “jam” an additional lot onto an existing property without a new road. Panhandle lots are not permitted in the South Perry Hall growth area, and they are allowed in Perry Hall’s Honeygo district and Middle River only under certain circumstances.

Panhandle lots have long been a concern of community leaders in northeastern Baltimore County. The Carney-Cub Hill-Parkville Community Plan, which was adopted by the County Council in 2010, recommends that “the creation of new panhandle lots should not be permitted. Panhandle lots in suburban residential neighborhoods contribute to an undesirable living environment and compromise the stability and overall quality of the neighborhoods.”   The County Auditor’s office has prepared a map showing a prevalence of panhandle lots in the Carney-Cub Hill-Parkville areas. 

This legislation codifies a key recommendation of the Carney-Cub Hill-Parkville Community Plan.  It will prevent units from being sandwiched into small properties throughout this part of northeastern Baltimore County.