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• League Testimony on the Baltimore County Plan

[LWV Baltimore Co. Home]

The Baltimore County League of Women Voters would, first and foremost, like to thank the Office of Planning
for all their work in producing another ten-year plan for our County. We are aware of the time and effort
it represents.

Statistics from the demographic profile at the opening of the draft, show a disturbing trend toward poverty
and a declining tax base.  The analysis of poverty characteristics does indicate that the percentage of persons
living in poverty in our county is lower than some others in the region, BUT the same figures show a steady
increase in local poverty each year between 1970 and 1993. Unless the administration addresses this 
immediately, we see a dire predicament looming in the near future.

We do not see enough attention to support services for the poorer residents and no comprehensive plan 
to deal with our lack of affordable housing.   Expanded services for Seniors are discussed but not for the
working poor.

We were interested to see much attention given to education issues,  for the League sees quality of public
education as the key to the health of neighborhoods, to the conservation of communities, to economic 
development in our county, to the well-being of all our citizens and to the possibilities for a contented lifestyle.

Rural land management and the special needs of the rural areas are addressed.  The goals for this area will 
only be achieved if the INTENT of the Master Plan is always adhered to throughout the rural area.  We
cannot afford to weaken any part of it.

The Master Plan for 2010 is a well-written document with lofty ideals. The many pages of outstanding issues  
that need attention and the actions to achieve them, are commendable.  The implementation of these
actions without the loss of the intent, is always the concern of interested citizens.  We commend the voluntary 
members of the Planning Board for their continued concerns and their willingness to serve the public by 
trying to always stay within the boundaries of this Plan.  We see that as essential to the sustained well-planned 
growth of thiscounty.
					
We are circulating among you a more detailed page of specific concerns and suggestions.   Thank you.


6305 York Road  Baltimore Md. 21212-2640
410 464 1902 	lwvbalt@aol.com


The specific concerns of the League of Women Voters of Baltimore County
on the Master Plan, 2010,   Baltimore County .

REGIONALISM: For many years the talk has been the importance of regionalism. 
It is time to implement the suggestions for action that this plan incorporates.  

DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE: These statistics show increases in poverty,decreases in family households,
increase in single mother households, decreases in affordable housing, increases in failing houses,
and other alarming issues that portend disaster.  

TRANSPORTATION:  We would have liked to see more details.  The Countymust resolve the lack of
public facilities in this area.  Transportation is vital to everything we try to accomplish on a countywide scale. 
While not losing the flavor of a neighborhood, we still have to be able to move our citizens about easily.
This has long been a major concern and we still do not see specific suggestions for improvement. 
We include in this the revitalization of vacant and/or underutilized industrial properties so dependant
upon infrastructure.  Adequate and accessible transportationis certainly a must in these areas.

EDUCATION: We see little attention paid to that often neglected middlechild, the student that does
not require special facilities and services, is neither gifted nor incorrigible. It is important to provide
good school programs to all levels of student performance.  Additionally we would like to see the
establishment of a liaison between the Board of Education and the County Council to insure Council
facilitation of adequate funding for education. The LWV is always ready to be of service to the Board of Education,
especially in the field of Civic education. The ACTIONS suggested in the Plan reflect thoughtful research.

SAFETY: In reducing adolescent crime, the LWV wants to see theelimination of the need for uniformed
officers in the County schools. We feel that additional educational or counseling staff would be the
better solution, using public safety personnel to answer emergency andcriminal situations.
We propose the continued evaluation of the SRO program.  Could the good intent of SRO be accomplished
without the presence of a police officer?  There are good ideas about environmental designs of communities
and commercial areas to prevent crime.  They should be continued in both new developing urban areas as
well as in the rehabilitation of older neighborhoods.  Fire safety regulations for daycare can be a two-edged sword
Too many regulations could create more unlicenced homes thereby removing these homes for other public
supervision.  The effect these regulations have on cost for daycare needs additional consideration.

PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE:  We recommend action to enact legislation to move the Metropolitan District line
to coincide with the URDL for immediate attention.  We recommend implementation of a commercial recycling
program, in addition to the well received residential program.   We would also like to see multi-family dwellings
added to that residential program. 

RECREATION AND PARKS: On page 78, under the section ACTION, we agree with the state's methodology.
 We do not want to see homeowners/association owned open space counted toward meeting county
open space acreage goals.  Most often this conservancy land (green openspace) lies behind the homeowner's
property in exchange for clustering allowances.  Zoning designations have already taken these open spaces
into account.  These are private open spaces and in fact, the public would probably be denied entrance to it.
The suggestion actions for Greenways (on page 81 of the proposed plan) are excellent and anychanges
should strengthen, never weaken the proposals. 

RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY CONSERVATION AREAS: In older housing stock, wesuggest some attention to the
matter of disclosure to residents of the presence of a potential Lead Paint exposure in these buildings. 
Additionally, there should be more  reference to the problem of not enough affordable housing in these,
or any other, areas in this county and actions to ameliorate this situation.  

URBAN LAND MANAGEMENT: Community Conservation Areas continue to deservethe attention and support
of the entire county. We must continue to push for mixed age neighborhoods.  We recognize that this as
an extremely difficult assignment, but strongly urge our administrators to work toward that goal.  
							
RURAL LAND MANAGEMENT: Because the management of the remaining ruralland in the county is directed
and controlled by zoning, our officials must use extreme care to only change zoning to lessen impact upon
the area, including down-zoning if necessary.  The county and state have many tools to direct the conservation
of the North County and they should be used, following the intent of this plan.  Reductions of the permitted
density and programs for permanent resource protection are the types of actions we would like to see followed.

Members interested in reviewing the Master Plan 2010 should contact their  local libraries or contact
the Baltimore County Office for information as to its availability.

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