GROWTH WATCH

2012-01-02T09:26:00.001-08:00

Test 4

2012-01-02T09:13:00.001-08:00

Test 3

2012-01-02T09:05:00.001-08:00

Mobike droid ping.fm test 2

2012-01-02T09:03:00.001-08:00

Ping.FM test ping. Happy New Year, BTW, to all.

Impact Fees-Second Hearing, April 19, 2010 County Council

2010-04-12T12:45:00.001-07:00

Many members of Growth Action and others testified in opposition to County Council bill 12-10 that would roll back impact fees that went from extremely low for over 20 years to reasonable on Jan 1, 2010. Now however, the new fee schedule for higher fees has been threatened by a bill #1 12-10 that would further delay reasonable impact fees and even make refunds of fees paid in 2010 under the

HEARING, Monday, April 5, 7PM-Impact Fee Roll-Back

2010-03-30T08:29:00.000-07:00

An important hearing is set for April 5, 2010 before the County Council on a bill with 4 sponsors to roll back impact fees.This will shift more of the cost of new services for new development to taxpayers and the County at a time of great financial shortfalls in the County budget.Please come out to the hearing and oppose this bill!

Will AA Co Impact Fees be Rolled Back?

2010-03-08T11:58:00.000-08:00

DELAYING IMPACT FEES-County Council Bill 12-10 A principle that we learned from our Forum speaker, Eben Fodor, author of Better Not Bigger is that new growth does not pay for the increased services required to support growth.A technique used by many jurisdictions is to impose an “impact fee” to recover part or most of the cost of growth-primarily additional costs for roads, schools and safety.

Questions for P&Z on the Subdivion Review Process

2009-11-05T16:49:00.000-08:00

1.Since the pre-submittal meeting is the only time presently for interested persons to get detailed information on and comment on proposed developments, shouldn’t minimal requirements be required for the information to be presented at ht meeting such as including the location and size of proposed structures and roads and the location and potential impacts on environmentally sensitive areas. Also,

Comprehensive Re-Zoning Application Process

2009-11-04T12:12:00.000-08:00

INFORMATION ON COMPREHENSIVE ZONINGFollowing adoption of the 2009 General Development Plan, the Office of Planning and Zoning will initiate a Comprehensive Zoning process. The application period for the 2010 Comprehensive Zoning will be held between December 1, 2009 and January 29, 2010. The Comprehensive Zoning Application will be available on this website on November 23, 2009 and throughout the

Land Use Changes Made by the County Council

2009-11-04T12:06:00.000-08:00

Land Use Changes Adopted by the County Council Oct 19, 2009 (Bill 64-09) 1.Properties along Long Hill Rd-N. of Rte 100 From Residential Low Density to Residential High Density 2. 1011 Skidmore Drive from Rural to Commercial 3. SW Quadrant MD Rte 175 and Brock Bridge Rd. Residential Low Density to Industrial 4. NW Quadrant Md Rte 175 and Ridge Rd - RLD to

Threat to Patuxuent Wildlife Refuge?

2009-11-03T08:31:00.000-08:00

A request by Anne Arundel County to bring utilities to West County under the Baltimore Washington Parkway at Maryland Rte 198 is being reviewed by the National Park Service and an Environmental Assessment has been prepared.You may review the Environmental Assessment(EA) at Parkplanning.NPS.Gov/NACE. I CAN E-MAIL YOU A COPY OF THE EA IF YOU HAVE TROUBLED ACESSING IT.Comments on the EA will be

Passage of the 2009 GDP

2009-10-26T10:01:00.000-07:00

On October 19, 2009, the County Council passed the General Development Plan with over 30 amendments. Some of these amendments were required by the State of Maryland so that the plan would comply with new law. A large number of the amendments were changes in the Land Use Map for the County. The changes to the land use map are important, but do not automatically change the zoning of the property.

Town Hall Meeting on the Bay-Aug 11

2009-07-15T08:27:00.000-07:00

Chesapeake Bay Town Hall Aug. 11, Annapolis President Obama has ordered federal agencies to draft plans by Sept. 9 to clean up the Chesapeake Bay. A diverse group representing business, academic, faith, environmental and other interests will meet with a top official from the EPA to discuss specific steps the Administration must take. WHAT: Chesapeake Bay Town Hall Meeting WHEN:

Maryland Dept of Planning to Discuss Smart Growth

2009-07-15T08:21:00.000-07:00

1.The MarylandPlanning Directors'Roundtable"Convening regularly for the purpose of sharing ideas on smart and sustainable growth"Held at the Banneker-Douglass Museum in Annapolis. Secretary of Planning Richard Hall invites all local government planning professionals to attend the Spring 2009 meeting of the Maryland Planning Directors' Roundtable on Thursday, July 23, 2009. The meeting will be

Anonymous Complaints by Citizens

2009-06-09T13:20:00.001-07:00

Last year the Anne Arundel County Council Chambers were filled with angry citizens wearing red tee shirts with the phrase"Stop the Zoning Gestapo". Many of the "red shirts" had received a notice of a violation of County law and believed that they were unfairly targeted.Now a bill supported by this group that is also known as PROPO, will before the County Council on Monday, June 15 at 7 PM. We

PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD BRIEFING

2009-05-05T13:07:00.000-07:00

The Planning Advisory Board (PAB)will have a briefing on the General Development Plan(GDP) on Wed, May 6, 2009 at 6:30 PM at the Arundel Center, 44 Calvert Street, Annapolis 21401.There will be little opportunity for public comment, although there may be some. Comments may be sent to the PAB following the briefing.It is the role of the PAB, a volunteer citizens group, to advise the County

New law on land annexation

2009-04-27T11:19:00.000-07:00

Land Annexations A December 2005 Maryland Department of Planning report indicated that, from 1997 through 2005, the acreage of municipal corporations in Maryland had grown by an estimated 11%, or 27,453 acres, as a result of annexation, with the greatest percentage increases occurring in Western Maryland and on the Eastern Shore. Chapter 381 of 2006 altered State law regarding municipal

Bikes for the World-Donation Event-May 16

2009-04-27T10:38:00.000-07:00

Have a bike that you are not using? Someone in a developing county could use your bike to get to school, work and home again.Saturday May 16, 2009 10AM to 1PM bring your bike to Pedal Pushers, 546 B&A Blvd (in the shopping area with the Big Bean Coffee Shop)A donation of $10 is needed to defray the cost of shipping overseas.This is a project of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, a 501 (

2009-04-21T12:27:00.000-07:00

AA County Fiscal Impact Analysis (FIA)Comments by Mike Lofton 4/11/09Comments are based on a review of the referenced report prepared by TischlerBise dated March 6, 2009.The FIA attempts to predict revenues & expenses for Anne Arundel County based on a series of “Growth Scenarios” to the year 2025. Ostensibly, these predictions should help guide public policy with a sense of the financial

Smart, Sustainable Growth - HB 297

2009-04-10T07:54:00.000-07:00

The Maryland Court of Appeals ruled in Terrapin Run (2008) that special exceptions could be granted to county and municipal plans, even if the exception did not strictly conform to the comprehensive plan. That took the legal teeth out of planning. HB 297 puts the teeth back in; it passed both the House and Senate. Here is HB 297's synopsis.April 4, 2009MD Legislature's HB 297Smart, Green, and

Earth Day 2009-Severna Park

2009-04-03T12:56:00.000-07:00

Impact Study of Destination Resorts in Oregon

2009-03-22T11:20:00.000-07:00

I thought you might be interested in a new study I just completed on the fiscal and economic impacts of destination resorts in Oregon. The study examines both costs and revenues for a typical resort and finds rather large net fiscal costs. Destination resorts typically involve 500 to 3000 single-family homes and various recreational amenities, such as golf courses and clubhouses, in an attractive

A Local Conference Presented by the Annapolis Sustainable Business Alliance

2009-03-18T05:43:00.000-07:00

Join us at this conference to learn from local experts about:How To market Local business & FIll Empty StoresWhy Food is Key and Stimulates Other SectorsLocal Lending: Where will the money come from?

Anne Arundle County Fiscal Impact Study

2009-03-15T11:40:00.000-07:00

At long last the Fiscal Study that we have been waiting for is on the County website.I will be interested in your responses. I need to read it now! http://www.aacounty.org/PlanZone/LongRange/FIA.cfm

Scientists for a "Steady State" Economy

2009-03-08T19:36:00.000-07:00

It's worth noting that scientists (in addition to Tom Horton) are weighing in for limiting growth on the planet.Date: Mon, 2 Mar 2009 15:28:55 -0800 (PST)>From: rob dietz >To: sswg@list.conbio.org>Subject: [SSWG] Orr, McKibben, Speth, and Erlich Sign Position>>Dear SSWGers,>>There is some exciting news in the ongoing discussion of the conflict>between economic growth and biodiversity conservation

2009-03-05T09:22:00.000-08:00

Pat Lynch and I appeared at County Council on Tuesday(3/3) night during the open comment period. We asked the Council to support the following: 1.Comment period reopened on the GDP after the fiscal study is made available and after the implementation chapter is released. 2. Clarify and insure that the 16 SAPS unless amended by the GDP remain in effect.Got an e-mail from Larry Tom who stated to

WORKSHOP: RE-DEVELOPMENT DESIGN STRATEGIES TO CREATE MIXED-USE CENTERS

2009-02-26T11:55:00.000-08:00

A WORKSHOP CONDUCTED BY RANDALL ARENDTto be held at theUniversity of Maryland Landscape Architecture ProgramRoom 1130 Plant Sciences Building, College Park, MDFriday, March 6, 20099:00 am-4:00pm$45.00 includes morning coffee and lunchRegistration and coffee 8:30-9:00am Critique Hall (0104 Plant Sciences Building)The workshop includes a discussion of Planning for Conservation Subdivisions.

Learn How to Become an Author and Post a Blog

2009-02-24T10:16:00.000-08:00

We have re-invited many of you to our blog. Please accept the invitation so you can become an author. You will receive an email with a confirmation link after accepting. Note that you must have Google Accounts, and if you don't already, they'll be prompted to create one.To post a blog you must first sign in.The sign-in box is located in the upper-right corner of the Blogger homepage, where you

First of four forums held last night

2009-01-28T13:16:00.000-08:00

"More than 75 people crowed around display tables at Annapolis High School last night, poring over maps and tossing questions or suggestions at county employees who crafted Anne Arundel County's once-a-decade plan for growth.".....Read the article by Erin Cox for the Capital on the first of four forms to review the GDP.

GDP PUBLIC DRAFT

2009-01-21T14:45:00.000-08:00

The GDP Public Draft is now on the web for viewing.Go to www.aacounty.orgScroll down to see the download.Four public forms are scheduled over the next four weeks, and the comment period is open until February 16. All forums will be held from 6-9 p.m. and are scheduled for the following days and locations:January 26 at Annapolis HighJanuary 28 at Old Mill HighFebruary 3 at Southern HighFebruary

2009-01-21T07:13:00.000-08:00

I hope that all Growth Action members will sign in and begin our blog. I know lots of you are frustrated that the Draft is late. Let's get it and decide our next step!Happy New Year to all!!Ann

Welcome to Growth Action's Blog!

2009-01-20T11:44:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Growth Action's Blog! Growth Action seeks to match any growth with adequate facilities and infrastructure so that any growth enhances our quality of life in the county, and does not diminish it. We invite you share your concerns about growth in Anne Arundel County along with your ideas for solutions. We also invite you to use the new website at growthaction.net Ann