February 2016 - The Valleys Planning Council

The ValleyConservationist
T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E V A L L E Y S P L A N N I N G C O U N C I L I N C.
From the President and the Executive Director
www.thevpc.org ~ 410-337-6877
February 2016
The VPC was originally established to protect the Worthington, Greenspring and Caves Valleys. These valleys are excellent examples of
cultural landscapes that showcase some of the most significant historic resources in Baltimore County. A collection of 18th, 19th, and
early 20th century buildings in a predominately rural setting, each valley is a unique district that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These historic districts retain a high degree of integrity thanks to the collaborative efforts of VPC together with landowners, land trusts and the county to preserve the landscape with a variety of tools, i.e. RC zoning and conservation easements. While much
has been done to preserve the land and prevent intense suburban and commercial development in the valleys, there is a new threat to
these cultural landscapes: the loss of historic resources.
VPC’s focus has been primarily on land conservation, however VPC was involved with sponsoring the historic sites inventory in the
1970’s and 80’s. James Wollen, AIA, surveyed many of the historic properties and prepared nominations for the Worthington Valley
Historic District (listed in 1976), the Western Run-Belfast Histoirc District (listed in 1979) and the Greenspring Valley Historic District
(listed in 1980). VPC hired Janet Davis to research and prepare the Caves Valley National Register District nomination (listed in 1988).
These districts encompass over 25,000 acres and include hundreds of historic resources worthy of preservation. The Greenspring Valley
Historic District is perhaps the most endangered due to it close proximity to the Baltimore Beltway. Many of the houses are sited on
hills with carefully cultivated views and vistas, often of spectacular quality. These houses are part of the history and the landscape.
Although much of the land is privately owned in the valleys, most is protected with permanent conservation easement held by land
trusts like MET, LPT or MALPF. These conservation easement offer the best way to protect the landscape by extinguishing development rights regardless of the zoning. However, the terms of an easement do not prevent the landowner from demolishing the primary
residence (or barns & outbuildings). This has come to light with the recent demolitions of several historic houses in the Greenspring
Valley: Knollwood (c. 1900), the Baetjer house (c. 1860) and, most recently Ledger Hill (c. 1900) on Greenspring Valley Rd.
One by one we are losing historic resources that contribute to the national register districts and, once razed, they are often replaced with
often larger structures that may be out of character and out of place. Even with easements and RC zoning, these treasured landscapes
are in danger of irreversible changes that will degrade the character and historic significance of the valleys. Like natural resouces, the
historic resources in the valleys are vulnerable to the pressures of redevelopment and steps should be taken to protect them before it it
too late.
One way to prevent future demolition is to keep historic properties in good repair. Another way is to nominate historic properties to
the Baltimore County Landmarks List. There are 387 properties on the final landmarks list, however, only a small number are located in
the valleys. We encourage landowners of historic houses to consider nominating their property to the Baltimore County Landmarks List.
By doing so, you will ensure your property will be protected for future generations. If you need assistance or would like more informaiton about the landmarking process, please visit www.baltimorecountymd.gov. or contact VPC.
Wise stewardship protects not just the land but the character and the spirit of a place. The preservation of cultural landscapes provide
scenic, economic, ecological, social, recreational and educational opportunities that help us understand our history and communities. As
we all know, the preservation of our beautiful valleys greatly improves the quality of life for all, and, above all, creates a sense of place
and identity for future generations.
President
Executive Director
TheValleyConservationist
2015 Art for Land’s Sake Huge Success!
Many thanks to Mary Louise Foster, chairperson of Art for Land’s Sake, and the committee (Aurelia
Garland Bolton, Stiles T. Colwill, Lucy Goelet, Barbara Horneffer, Carrie Montague, Achsah O’Donovan,
Sam Robinson, Debbie Rosenberg and Elizabeth Wilmerding) for an outstanding job on the most
successful art show yet! A big thank you goes out to Howie and Megan Wolfe for once again offering
Caves Farm as the venue location. While the wind and rains swirled outside, everyone who attended the
preview party were warm and dry and enjoyed an evening of socializing and art purchases. The weekend
continued on Saturday and Sunday with hundreds of people visiting the show. Thank you to our wonderful
sponsors and everyone who supported Art for Land’s Sake!
Photos courtesy of Tammie Monaco
Special thanks to the Lonesome Foxhunters!
President Peter Fenwick and Chairperson, Mary
Louise Foster
Barbie Horneffer and Betsy Wilmerding
Alex Fisher and George Kelly
Bunny Hathaway and Mrs. Clinton Daly
Aurelia Garland Bolton and Mrs. Robert
Barnhill, Jr.
John Beckley and Peter Fenwick
Barbara Oelke and Liz Buxton
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February 2016
Mary Anne Beckley, John Beckley, Jack Dillon and Ann Jones
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Paul Corbin, Jerry Brown and Tim Bell
George Mahoney, Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Walsh
David Wilmerding, Carrie Montague, Mike and
Ann Hankin
Maryland Artists of the Past - A new addition to Art for
Land’s Sake
Sam Robinson and Bob Reder
Amy Fenwick, Lynn Macfarlane and Pat Albert
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TheValleyConservationist
New and Renewing Members : September - December 2015
Mr. Charles A. Alexander
Mr. & Mrs. Charles R. Anderson
Mr. & Mrs. Judd P. Anderson
Mr. & Mrs. Philip Andrews
Anonymous
Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Armacost
Mrs. Louise Armstrong
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel R. Baker
Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Bank
Ms. Jillian Bar-av
Lee N. Barnstein Esq.
Mr. & Mrs. Bertero L. Basignani
Mr. & Mrs. John W. Beckley
Mr. & Mrs. Gregory P. Belcher
Mr. & Mrs. Chris Bennett
Mr. & Mrs. Henry Blue
Mr. & Mrs. Richard F. Blue Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Scott Borden
Mr. & Mrs. Larry L. Bortner
Mr. & Mrs. David E. Brainerd
Mr. & Mrs. Robert S. Brennen
Mr. Walter Wickes Brewster
Mr. & Mrs. Brian W. Brooke
Mr. & Mrs. J. Dorsey Brown III
Mr. & Mrs. Jerald Brown
Ms. Ann W. Brundige
Ms. Gemmell M. Bruner
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas W. Burdette
Mr. Harold H. Burns Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Patrick K. Cameron
Dr. & Mrs. Steven E. Caplan
Mr. David M. Carlisle
Mr. Gaylord L. Clark III
Mr. & Mrs. David O. Cleveland
Mr. & Mrs. David C. Coakley
Ms. Michelle Cole
Mr. & Mrs. Mark M. Collins Jr.
Mr. Stiles T. Colwill
Mr. & Mrs. Beverley C. Compton Jr.
Mr. Charles E. Conklin Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Paul D. Corbin
Dr. John Covington &
Dr. Claire Weitz
Dr. & Mrs. David Dalury
Dr. Barry D. Daly &
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Ms. Jane Dowling
Dr. & Mrs. James F. Dasinger
Mr. & Mrs. James Davis
Mr. & Mrs. Eric Decosta
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Deford
Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Dellheim
Mr. Richard B. Desser &
Ms. JoAnn Peroutka
Mr. & Mrs. John J. Dillon Jr.
Mrs. Patrick J. B. Donnelly
Dr. & Mrs. Daniel B. Drachman
Mr. Peter Dunn
Mr. & Mrs. Jay S. Eastman
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas S. Elder
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel E. Ellis
Ms. Carolyn C. Fenwick
Mrs. M. Gillian Fenwick
Mr. & Mrs. Peter R. Fenwick
Mr. & Mrs. Marshall Fesche
Mr. & Mrs. Alex G. Fisher
Mr. Charles Martin Fisher
Mrs. Herbert Fisher
Mr. & Mrs. Franklin W. Foster
Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Fradkin
Dr. & Mrs. Donald S. Gann
Mr. Morris L. Garten
Mr. & Mrs. W. T. Dixon Gibbs Jr.
Mrs. Sherlock Swann Gillet
Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Goelet
Dr. & Mrs. Nelson H. Goldberg
Ms. Janet Goldstein
Mr. & Mrs. Arnold Grabush
Ms. Margaret S. Green
Mrs. Ann Martin Green
Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin H. Griswold IV
Ms. Laura Grosedose
Dr. & Mrs. Francis C. Grumbine
Mr. Harry S. Gruner
Mr. & Mrs. Leonard Guberman
Mr. & Mrs. Edward A. Halle Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Douglas W. Hamilton Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Michael D. Hankin
Mr. Craig Hankin
Mr. & Mrs. G. Ridgely Hardy
Mr. & Mrs. Charles C. Harwood Jr.
Mr. Paul W. Haynie
Mr. & Mrs. Donald R. Heacock
Hebb Family Private Foundation
Ms. Polly E. Heninger
Mr. & Mrs. John J. Heyn
Mr. & Mrs. Peter A. B. Hoblitzell Jr.
Mrs. Joan McH. Hoblitzell
Dr. & Mrs. Daniel Hoch
Mr. & Mrs. Frank J. Hoen Jr.
Mr. Lawrence Hooper
Dr. & Mrs. Peter J. Horneffer
Ms. Lucy A. C. Howard
Mr. & Mrs. Reed Huppman
Mrs. Clair Inayatullah
Ivy Hill Partnership
Mr. & Mrs. Victor Jackson
Mr. & Mrs. Stuart S. Janney III
Mr. & Mrs. Henry H. Jenkins II
Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Johnson
Mr. & Mrs. Oliver M. Johnson II
Mrs. Virginia M. Karr
Honorable & Mrs. Duncan W. Keir
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Kelly
Mr. & Mrs. George W. Kelly
Ellen Harvey Kelly
Mr. & Mrs. Edward Kenny
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Killebrew Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Donald M. Kirson
Mr. & Mrs. Justin Klein
Mr. & Mrs. Baker Koppelman
Mrs. Walter Koppelman Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Kurtz
L’Aiglon Foundation
Mrs. Norris B. Lankford
Dr. & Mrs. Marc Lenet
Mr. & Mrs. Jay Lenrow
Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Lessner
Mr. & Mrs. Ernest D. Levering
Mr. Maurice Noel Levy III
Dr. & Mrs. David B. Liebman
Mr. & Mrs. Christopher W. Lynch
Ms. Carol Macht &
Dr. Sheldon Lerman
Mr. & Mrs. Clark F. MacKenzie
Mr. & Mrs. George P. Mahoney Jr.
February 2016
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Manzari
Ms. Pamela Marks
Mr. & Mrs. J.W.Y. Martin Jr.
Ms. Ruth B. Mascari
Mr. & Mrs. George D. Mathias
Mr. & Mrs. George B. McCeney
Mr. & Mrs. James R. McDonald
Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. McGonigle
Mr. & Mrs. Hugh D. McGuirk
Mr. David T. McKibbin
Mr. & Mrs. Charles E. McMahon
Mr. & Mrs. William McMillan Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph M. Migliara
Ms. Tammie Monaco
Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Montague
Delegate Dan Morhaim
Mr. & Mrs. Malcolm Morris
Mr. James C. Murray
Dr. & Mrs. David Nasrallah
Mr. & Mrs. Foster Nichols Jr.
Mr. Ted Niederman &
Ms. Ricka Neuman
Dr. P. B. North
Dr. James E. O’Donnell
Mr. & Mrs. Nelson T. Offutt Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. I. Manning Parsons III
Mr. & Mrs. William Ford Peck
Mr. & Mrs. Franklin M. Peltzer
Mr. Alan G. Penczek
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Petersen
Dr. & Mrs. Frederick B. Peterson
Mr. & Mrs. H. Barritt Peterson Jr.
Mrs. W. A. Pistell
Mr. & Mrs. John J. Poggi
Mrs. Frances Pollard
Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Pomykala
Ms. Kathleen Pontone Esq. &
Mr. Mitch Kolkin, Esq.
Mr. James L. Potter Jr. &
Ms. Virginia Naylor
Mr. & Mrs. Louis B. Price
Dr. & Mrs. Harry G. Randall
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas T. Reilly
Mr. & Mrs. Stuart S. Rienhoff
Mr. & Mrs. James S. Riepe
Mr. & Mrs. Timothy F. Roberts
Mr. & Mrs. Polly & Scott Roberts
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Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Rodgers
Mr. Robert A. Rombro &
Ms. Lisa Stern
Dr. & Mrs. Arthur E. Rosenbaum
Mr. & Mrs. Edward L. Rosenberg
Mr. Henry A. Rosenberg Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Edward L. Rosenberg
Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Joseph Rossini Jr.
Ms. Karen Scharfe Seifert
Mr. & Mrs. Lewis A. Scharff
Mr. & Mrs. J. B. Secor
Mr. & Mrs. John K. Shaw III
Mr. & Mrs. Christopher R. Sheehan
Mr. & Mrs. Norman Shillman
Mr. & Mrs. Yoshinobu Shiota
Mr. & Mrs. Ronnie E. Silverstein
Mrs. Crompton Smith
Mr. & Mrs. Donnell M. Smith Jr.
Miss Alexandra C. Smith
Mr. & Mrs. Fred Smith III
Ms. Deirdre Smith &
Mr. Douglas Carroll III
Ms. Lorna Sotoloff
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel B. Spears
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Spencer
Mr. & Mrs. John A. Spilman IV
Mr. & Mrs. Gerard D. St. Ours
Stevenson Ridge-Halcyon
Improvement Association
Stevenson University
Mrs. Clare H. Stewart
Mr. & Mrs. Albert J. Swartz
Mrs. Adena W. Testa
The Eliasberg Family Foundation, Inc.
Ms. Sara A. Thompson &
Mr. Charles L. Zipp
Mr. & Mrs. John H. Tracey
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Trinkoff
Dr. & Mrs. Ulku Ulgur
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Vieth
Mrs. Lynn Vonderhorst
Mr. & Mrs. John P. Ward
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas D. Washburne Jr.
Ms. Gregory R. Weidman
Mr. David Weis
Mr. & Mrs. E. H. Welbourn III
Mrs. Nancy P. Welbourn
Ms. Julia Wen & Mr. Richard Berg
Mr. Michael Wharton
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas C. Whedbee
Mrs. Davison D. White
Mr. & Mrs. G. William C.
Whiting III
Ms. Ann Whitman Hurd
Mr. & Mrs. Rufus M. G. Williams
Mr. & Mrs. David R. Wilmerding III
Mr. Alfred A. Windesheim
Mr. & Mrs. Howard D. Wolfe Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Paul F. Wooden Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Paul F. Wooden Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Worrall
Mr. & Mrs. Peter L. Worthington
Mr. & Mrs. Richard F. Yeazel
Mrs. Ann L. B. Yellott
Mr. & Mrs. Gavin Youngquist
Thank you for
your support!!
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TheValleyConservationist
Special Projects Update
Just Say No to Proposed Mega Church (Hunt Valley Baptist Church)!
VPC continues to work to overturn the County’s decision to allow a
30,000 square foot 1000+ seat church to be built (821 Shawan Road)
in the view shed along a designated Maryland Scenic Byway! The
proposed large scale institutional use in the RC 4 zone will adversely
impact the County’s (and Baltimore City’s) drinking water, prime agricultural land and the beautiful view of Oregon Ridge.
VPC and neighbors are appealing the order and opinion issued by the
Administrative Law Judge in January 2015. To date, six days of hearings have been held. Two additional hearing days (April 5 & 7) have
been assigned to this Board of Appeals matter.
Please help protect “scenic” Shawan Road and the water quality in
Oregon Branch, a class III trout stream from this inappropriate development! Send an email to the Board of Appeals at [email protected] or send a letter to: Baltimore County Board of Appeals, County Office Building, 105 W. Chesapeake
Avenue, Towson, MD 21204 (make sure to reference Hunt Valley Baptist Church, 14-190-SPHX on Shawan Road). You
can also send a tax deductible contribution to VPC
to cover legal expenses associated with appealing
this decision. Many thanks to all who have made
past contributions toward this effort! VPC relies
on the generosity of its members (and friends)
to fund special projects like this. We still need
financial support to sustain our efforts through this
appeal process!
DID YOU KNOW?
A secure online donation for any
VPC special project can be made by
visiting the VPC website at:
www.thevpc.org
Councilmand Kach & Senator Brochin participated in community meeting on 10/ 26 at Oregon
Ridge (over 100 people attended to discuss the proposed church).
Saving the Historic Stemmer House ~ Again!
VPC is opposing another proposed housing development on this historic landmark property located at 2609 Caves Road in
the heart of the Caves Valley Historic District. This special project is the second effort to protect this historic property. In
2005-6 VPC successfully stopped a proposed subdivision that included the same proposed lots. The first day of the development plan hearing was held in November and the hearing continued Jan. 20 and 21 and Feb. 5. The final day is scheduled on March 24 at 10am. The Baltimore County Administrative Law Judge has the final approval authority on development plans submitted for consideration. Please help us defeat this proposed housing development that will subdivide this
significant Baltimore County Historic Landmark and adversely impact its environmental setting and the North Branch of
the Jones Falls. Please consider making a tax deductible contribution to help cover our legal expenses. VPC is also requesting a zone change in the CZMP to down zone this property to RC 7 or 4 which would is more appropriate zoning.
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February 2016
The Newsletter of THE VALLEYS PLANNING COUNCIL INC.
Development Projects Update
Roundabout at Tufton, Worthington & Greenspring A Possiblity
Since 2010 VPC has been leading the effort to seek a “context sensitive design” solution to the increasing traffic
and safety concerns at the intersection at Tufton, Worthington and Greenspring Ave. VPC conducted at traffic
study that resulted in a conceptual design and a recommendation for a roundabout that will complement the scenic and cultural landscape that represents the largest block of privately held land that is permanently protected
with conservation easements in the state! Roundabouts have been proven to be safer than stoplights and have
the support of SHA as more appropriate than a signal. This intersection is the gateway to the Worthington Valley
and is part of the 70+ mile Maryland Designated “Horses and Hounds“ Scenic Byway. This proposed roundabout would enhance signature landscape that defines the Worthington Valley National Register District.
The interest in a roundabout at this location has accelerated in recent months and VPC has received the support
of District 10 and District 11 legislators. VPC is actively seeking funds to pay for this project which is estimated
to be about 1 million dollars. This roundabout project has been named as a “priority” by the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors has agreed to commit up to $100,000 toward this private - public partnership.
VPC intends to raise these matching funds from the community and has already received several significance
pledges toward this goal. Stay tuned for more information on how you can contribute to this roundabout project.
So far, the County has made a commitment to pay for up to $500,000 if the state will also contribute funds toward this project. Speaker Pro Tem/Delegate Adrienne Jones (chair, capital budget subcommittee/serves on oversight committee on program open space & agricultural land preservation) is helping to identify state funds that
could be used for this enhancement project. More details will follow at the VPC annual meeting in May.
.
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TheValleyConservationist
VPC announces Young Associates Committee to plan
events for members in their 20's or 30's!
VPC is pleased to announce a new Young Associates Membership
Level (up to $50) to engage the next generation of conservation minded
leaders who care about preserving open space in the valleys! VPC will
launch this new initiative at a special event this spring (TBD) that will
be organized by the new committee.
Under the leadership of the Committee Chair, Neill Peck, this committee will develop and implement programs and activities directed
towards young members, including university students and young
Neill Peck, Lexi Julio, Vincenzo Piccinini, J.C. Beese and Ned Foster
professionals. The goal it to increase membership in this demographic
and help foster a deeper appreciation and understanding of land conservation issues with Millennials and Generation Y.
For more than 50 years, the VPC has been committed to the preservation of natural,
historic and cultural resources in northern Baltimore County. The valleys region is
widely recognized as a signature landscape with more than 50,000 acres of scenic open
space protected in perpetuity. VPC recognizes that the future success of the organization
hinges on its ability to recruit new younger members between the ages of 21-35 to join
our efforts and become the future stewards of this treasured landscape.
We invite you to nominate a son or daughter (or grandchild) or a friend to serve on this
new steering committee and help recruit other young members. You may also consider
giving a one-year Young Associate membership in a young person’s name (Young Associate members will be invited to special events throughout the year). Please forward
suggestions to Liz Buxton at VPC. Thank you for your help in growing the VPC membership!
Willie Dowling, Kate McCleary, Justin Batoff
and Lindsay McGettigan
Meet Our New Interns
VPC is pleased to announce two interns that will be helping us this semester.
Yung-ting Hsu (Brigitte) is a graduate student intern this semester. She will assist VPC with
analyzing CZMP issues and reviewing proposed development plans and sites. After obtaining a BA in Mass Communications at Fu Jen Catholic University in Taipei, Taiwan, Yungting worked in the land development field for two years before enrolling in the University of
Maryland’s Urban Studies and Planning Program. Her current interests include community
design and environmental planning, especially environmental site design. Her long-term goal
is to be an environmental planner with a focus on wastewater treatment and watershed
restoration. She is due to graduate with a Masters of Community Planning in May.
Sarah Albee is an undergraduate at Goucher College where she is majoring in Art History/
Arts Administration and minoring in Historic Preservation. Sarah will be assisting VPC with
various projects including updating the Green Spring Valley Driving and Cycling Tour Brochure. Sarah is excited to work at VPC and gain first hand experience in a non-profit environment. As a Baltimore County native, Sarah is familiar with the rich history that makes
the area worth preserving. Sarah currently resides in Idlewylde with her husband Tim, and
dog Otto.
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February 2016
The Newsletter of THE VALLEYS PLANNING COUNCIL INC.
MD General Assembly Session 2016: New Legislation We’re Tracking
HB 276/0137 - Income Tax Credit - Preservation and Conservation Easements: “Altering specified provisions of law concerning a credit
against the State income tax for specified preservation and conservation easements to allow an individual or a member of a pass-through
entity to claim the credit for an easement conveyed to the Maryland Environmental Trust, the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation
Foundation, or the Department of Natural Resources under specified circumstances; requiring the Comptroller to adopt specified regulations; applying the Act to all taxable years beginning after December 31, 2015; etc.”
SB 927/HB 1464 - Program Open Space Trust Fund Bill of 2016: “Establishing the Program Open Space Trust Fund; requiring speci-
fied appropriations from the General Fund to the Fund to repay specified appropriations or transfers from the Fund to the General Fund;
providing that the Fund is a continuing, nonlapsing fund not subject to specified provisions of law; providing for the uses, purposes, sources
of funding, and investment of money of the Fund; requiring interest earnings of the Fund to be credited to the Fund; etc.”
HB0243 / SB0166 - Land Use Actions - Legislative Bodies - Judicial Review: Last year, the Maryland Court of Appeals determined
that to challenge a comprehensive rezoning decision by a local government a person must establish “taxpayer standing.” Property owner
standing still applies to piecemeal rezonings. To an aggrieved property owner, the damage from an unlawful rezoning is what matters – not
how the rezoning occurs. The proposed bill reestablishes the right of a property owner to challenge a comprehensive rezoning decision
believed to have caused harm.
New Opportunities to Restore Streams
Ecotone, a local environmental restoration company, is actively searching for stream restoration opportunities in the
Jones Falls watershed. In most cases, Ecotone can obtain funding for planning, design, construction, and monitoring. Specifically, properties with the following characteristics would likely qualify:
•
•
•
•
Stream length >500’
Actively eroding streambanks
Floodplains can be open or wooded
Especially interested in the following
priority watersheds:
- Jones Falls mainstem above
Brooklandville
- Dipping Pond Run
- North Branch
- Deep Run
If you are interested in learning more about
stream restoration at no cost to you, please
contact Jim Morris at (410)420-2600 or email
[email protected].
Before and after photos of a recently restored stream in Harford County.
Mark Your Calendar!
Maryland Land Conservation Conference ~ May 5 - 6
The Maryland Environmental Trust (MET) will again host this statewide conference at the Maritime Institute in
Linthicum Heights. This annual event is the largest gathering of its kind in the region for representatives of land trusts, conservancies, local and state government agencies, heritage organizations and landowners. Contact MET for more information at
(410) 514-7900 or check there website. This conference is open to the public.
VPC Annual Meeting/Election of Board Members ~ May 10
St. Thomas Church (232 St. Thomas Lane, Owings Mills) 6 p.m. Please join us for refreshments and a report on activites.
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TheValleyConservationist
2016 CZMP Has Begun
The quadrennial CZMP is governed by the Baltimore County Code. Any citizen may initiate a request for a zoning change.
The requests are reviewed by the Department of Planning and it makes recommendations to the County Council which ultimately determines on each issue submitted as to whether to retain existing zoning or make changes to the Baltimore County
Zoning Map. The process is deemed “comprehensive” because the County Council reviews the entire zoning map for the
County comprehensively.
The CZMP covers a period of approximately 12 months and results in zoning decisions that are reflected in a final Log of
Issues, with the County Council enacting legislation for each issue whether to retain the existing zoning or to enact a different zone(s) or district(s). Potential zoning changes (items) were filed by the public in October 2015 for consideration. VPC is
monitoring several issues. Council members filed items by 11/30. Planning staff recommendations are being made now.
The Planning Board Public Hearings for CZMP Issues (in VPC region) are scheduled for March:
2nd Council District ~ Tuesday, March 8 at Sudbrook Middle School
3rd Council District ~ Thursday, March 10 at Loch Raven High School.
All hearings begin at 6pm. Public sign-in will begin at 5 pm First come, first serve.
The product of these work sessions is submitted to the County Council which holds public hearings during the month of
June, 2016. Beginning July 1 to September 15, 2016, the County Council reviews the Zoning Map and votes upon it on September 16, 2016. The new Zoning Map is published in November, 2016.
There are a number of important land use issues we are monitoring this year as the process (CZMP) gets underway. VPC is
concerned about the upzonings proposed on lands designated as either agricultural or resource preservation priority areas.
(Issue 3-006). We will continue to advocate that the existing conservation zoning should be kept in place on agricultural and
resource lands.
Councilwoman Vicki Almond has assured us that she will continue to support the downzoning of the 232-acre Chestnut
Ridge Country Club property (Issue 2-003) near the corner of Falls and Broadway roads and protect the fragile Dipping Pond
Run, the only subwatershed in the Jones Falls watershed that has both Brook and Brown trout. Other issues of note include:
•
Issue 2-009
Once again the developer who purchased several properties along Reisterstown Road and Olive
Lane, adjacent to Garrison Forest School is requesting an upzoning from the current Residential/Office and Residen
tial to Business Roadside (AO). It was denied in 2012. He wants to lease the property to Wa Wa for a 24 hour
convenience store with car wash. This would be a severe change from residential to the highest business classifi
cation and could result in the annihilation of a needed transition zone to the rural area and poses potential environ
mental impacts to the community and the adjacent school.
VPC is supporting the downzoning of several properties (previously upzoned by Todd Hoff):
•
Issue 3-004
Old Hanover Road
•
Issue 3-021
501 Belfast Road
•
Issue 3-020
560 Quaker Bottom Road
VPC is requesting a zone change (Issue 2-024) to downzone the Stemmer property located on Caves Road from RC 5 to
RC 7 or 4 which would is more appropriate zoning for this historic landmark property.
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February 2016
The Newsletter of THE VALLEYS PLANNING COUNCIL INC.
Legislative Breakfast
On December 3rd more than 150 concerned residents and elected officials gathered at the Baltimore County Agricultural Center to discuss the importance of land preservation in Baltimore County. They met to discuss the best
way to maintain the beautiful countryside and dynamic rural economy of Baltimore County. The land use policies
that VPC have long supported have gone a long way toward protecting these special areas. Continued funding for
permanent preservation programs ensures that those areas will be available for future generations.
Sponsored by the Baltimore County Land Trusts (The Gunpowder
Valley Conservancy, The Manor Conservancy, The Long Green
Land Trust, and The Land Preservation Trust), the event served as
a rallying call to advocate for additional funding for these essential
programs. State elected officials unanimously spoke in favor of legislation establishing a lock box to guarantee full funding of Program
Open Space. County officials reiterated their commitment to preservation of the URDL and retaining the integrity of the rural zones.
In recent years funding for land preservation has been greatly reduced
at both the State and County levels. The breakfast served as
Wendy Stringfellow (MET), Charlie Conklin (Gunda rallying call to advocate for additional funding for these essential
powder Conservancy), Heather Campbell (Aid to Sen.
programs. State elected officials unanimously spoke in favor of legCardin), & Delegate Benjamin Brooks
islation establishing a lock box to guarantee full funding of Program
Open Space. County officials reiterated their commitment to preservation of the URDL and retaining the integrity
of the rural zones.
Joan Norman, the owner of One Straw Farm, provided a farmers perspective on
the importance of preservation programs. One Straw Farm is one of the largest organic farms in the state, providing fresh local produce to many families in
the Baltimore Metropolitan Area. Joan made it clear that without preservation
programs her family would not be able to farm in Maryland. Future generations
of the Norman family are interested in joining the farming operation, highlighting
the vibrant agricultural economy made possible through preservation programs.
Elected officials in attendance included County Executive Kamanetz; Council
Members Almond and Marks; State Senator James Brochin and Delegates Aumann, Brooks, Hettleman, Morheim, Stein, and West.
Delegate Shelly Hettleman
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Return Service Requested
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The Newsletter of THE VALLEYS PLANNING COUNCIL INC.
VPC Board of Directors
Peter Dunn
Paul G. Miller
Mary Louise Foster
Caroline Montague *
Vice President
Lucy Goelet
Meriwether Morris
William Stewart *
Ann Green
Foster Nichols
Edward Halle
Achsah O’Donovan
Douglas Hamilton Jr.
Gail Riepe
Joan Hoblitzell
John R. Rockwell
Henry Jenkins *
Patrick Rodgers
Sarah Johnson
Deborah Rosenberg
George Kelly
Lewis Scharff
Peter Fenwick *
President
Kathleen Pontone *
Treasurer
John Beckley *
Secretary
Wayne Armacost
Justin Batoff
Christopher Bennett*
Elizabeth Blue
Doug Carroll
Gaylord Clark III
Howard Colhoun
Victoria Collins *
Don Kirson*
Martha Lessner
George Mahoney
VPC Staff:
Elizabeth Buxton, Executive Director
Alice Noplos, Executive Assistant
Claudia Vieth
Elizabeth Wilmerding *
Paul Wooden
* Executive Committee
Y
es, I want to protect Baltimore County’s agricultural, natural,
historic, and scenic resources, and work to promote a balanced
and rational use of the land for the benefit of present and future
generations by becoming a VPC member at the following level:
Executive ($10,000 & above)
Steward ($5,000 to $9,999)
Guardian ( $2,500 to $4,999)
Preservationist ($1,500 to $2,499)
Conservator ($500 to $1,499)
Advocate ($150 to $499)
Supporter (up to $149)
Young Associate (up to $50)
The Valleys Planning
Council is a 501 (c) (3)
tax-exempt
organization.
Your donation is tax
deductible to the fullest
extent allowed.
Name____________________________________________________
Address__________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip______________________________________________
Phone____________________ email___________________________
The Valleys Planning Council Inc.
P. O. Box 5402, Towson, MD 21285-5402
410-337-6877 www.thevpc.org