Governor Moore unveils plan to tackle Baltimore’s vacant property crisis

BALTIMORE, MD—Governor Wes Moore has announced an executive order to establish Reinvest Baltimore, an initiative to address the city’s vacant property crisis. The program will be a coordinated effort between the state, city, nonprofits, and for-profit partners, with the goal of revitalizing neighborhoods and maximizing economic potential and quality of life for residents. “Baltimore’s vacant property crisis is an issue […]

Attorney General, MDE file complaint against Joppa developer, homebuilder, contractor over water pollution violations

JOPPA, MD—The Maryland Department of the Environment, on behalf of the Attorney General, has filed a complaint against a developer, homebuilder, and contractor for multiple water pollution violations at the Ridgely’s Reserve development in Harford County. The complaint (PDF), filed Friday in Harford County Circuit Court, alleges that the Ridgely’s Reserve development and its associated sewer line project caused “numerous […]

Councilman Marks: More than 4,900 acres downzoned

The following is a legislative update from Councilman David Marks… On Tuesday, August 27th, the Baltimore County Council approved the new Comprehensive Zoning Map for Baltimore County. In the Fifth District that I represent, acting on my recommendation, the Council downzoned 4,944 acres of property. The Council increased the density or intensity of potential development on 145 acres. That means […]

Councilman Marks to block townhome rezoning in Perry Hall, lighten Philadelphia Road growth

NOTTINGHAM, MD—Baltimore County Councilman David Marks on Tuesday announced that he will oppose a rezoning request that would have allowed townhomes on Gerst Avenue in Perry Hall (Issue 5-004). The zoning will remain one house per acre (DR 1). On the Philadelphia Road corridor, he will recommend downzoning the site of the Evans Funeral Chapel to CB (Issue 5-063) and […]

Baltimore County Council votes to override Olszewski’s veto of school overcrowding bill

TOWSON, MD—On Monday evening, July 1, the Baltimore County Council voted to override County Executive Johnny Olszewski’s veto of the revised Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance. The County Council initially passed the measure in early June.  The revised APFO will require developers to receive approval from a special school capacity committee before they can obtain a building permit for new homes […]

TABCO responds to Olszewski’s APFO veto: Development cannot continue at expense of students

NOTTINGHAM, MD—The Teachers Association of Baltimore County on Thursday responded to County Executive Johnny Olszewski’s veto of the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance, a bill to help prevent school overcrowding which was passed by the County Council earlier this month. TABCO has issued the following statement: Class size matters. Overcrowded schools and large class size can be detrimental for our students. […]

Councilman Marks slams Olszewski’s veto of school overcrowding bill

UPDATE 2: The Baltimore County Republican Party has issued the following statement: The Baltimore County Republican Party strongly supports the ADEQUATE PUBLIC FACILITY ORDINANCE (AFPO) . This AFPO Bill was passed last week by the Baltimore County Council to help ensure that Baltimore County communities will have the necessary infrastructure requirements reviewed prior to the support of any development project. […]

Baltimore County Council passes new school overcrowding measure

UPDATE: County Executive Johnny Olszewski has vetoed the measure. Original story below… TOWSON, MD—The Baltimore County Council this week passed a new measure that will require developers to receive approval from a special school capacity committee before they can obtain a building permit for new homes in areas where nearby schools are oversubscribed. The Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance passed 4-2 […]