Land Preservation News

Citizen Groups Release Thousands of Petition Signatures Supporting Better Laws on Growth and Development

BALTIMORE—A coalition of smart growth groups – including Environment Maryland, 1000 Friends of Maryland, the Maryland League of Conservation Voters, and the Maryland chapter of the Sierra Club – today released nearly seven thousand petition signatures calling for stronger smart growth laws.  These signatures, collected from all over the state, demonstrate the broad public support for improved laws addressing development in Maryland.  The petition calls for officials to give local comprehensive growth plans the same authority as zoning ordinances.

“People are sick and tired of seeing beautiful open spaces paved over and turned into cookie-cutter housing developments and strip malls,” said Brad Heavner, state director of Environment Maryland.  “Community members put a lot of work into local growth plans.  We should not throw them out the window every time a developer walks through the door.”

With nearly 7,000 signatures, including signers from every legislative district in the state, this petition puts pressure on Maryland policy makers to take action on this important issue.

The petition comes at a time when people are worried about the economic impacts of our current development strategy.  With gas prices soaring, unplanned growth means more miles driven, impacting all sectors of the economy.  People are increasingly interested in living closer to work, but good policies are still needed to facilitate smart growth.

 “Marylanders are increasingly frustrated at the lack of choices available to them – choices about where they live and how they get around, especially for those with long commutes facing the high price of gas.  Good sound planning creates communities that work for people, not against,” said Jennifer Bevan-Dangel, deputy director of 1000 Friends of Maryland.  “Maryland has an opportunity to meet these needs by making a sharp turn from business as usual in how we plan for growth.”

The controversy over the proposed Terrapin Run development in Alleghany County provides a good case study.  Despite being in stark contrast with the local growth plan, county officials approved the proposal for a 4300-home subdivision next to the Green Ridge State Forest.  A local citizens group challenged the approval in court, but lost.  Citizens are concerned that the proposed development will harm the environment, destroy the rural character of their community, strain the county’s ability to provide services, and draw investment away from established communities.

 “Smart growth is a winner for the environment, the economy, and the health of our communities,” said Aaron Mintzes, legislative manager for the Maryland League of Conservation Voters.  “Future development should be built around transit stations, with shops, offices, schools and housing all woven together.”

Development consumes 17,000 acres of land each year, an area larger than Manhattan.  Between 1990 and 2000, population in the Chesapeake Bay watershed climbed 8 percent while the amount of developed land jumped 41 percent.  And with the coming expansion of military jobs in the state, development pressure has never been greater.

“The more we sprawl, the more we lose valuable natural areas,” said Alana Wase, field director for the Sierra Club, Maryland Chapter.  “Building smarter means we don’t cut down as many trees or pave over as many farms.”