Land Preservation

Todd Huff, Baltimore County Council candidate in the 3rd district, ousted a four-term incumbent and four others in the Republican primary. But, for the first time in 16 years, that victory does not guarantee him the seat. Democrat Ben Sutley, unopposed in the primary, is eyeing the same job. The two candidates are campaigning hard on what has been one of incumbent Councilman T. Bryan McIntire's signature issues: land preservation in the predominantly rural district that covers the northern part of the county.

Leash-law fines spark controversy Below is a sampling of comments on the city's leash-law debate from www.baltimoresun.com/unleashed What still really gets to me is that the City Council claims that the fines were a mistake ("City panel votes to cut $1,000 leash-law fine," May 13). If we assume they are telling the truth (pretty large assumption in my opinion, but I digress) then we have to call into question their competence. I understand mistakes happen. However, you can't approve a bill and not look into how this may affect people.

Gov. Martin O'Malley has announced approval of conservation easements that will preserve a 70-acre property in the county. The Board of Public Works approved four easements statewide, totaling 460 acres, including Anne Arundel County's South Rural Legacy Area. The Anne Arundel easement, which preserves 24 acres of woodland and 40 acres of cropland near the border of Calvert County, will be held by the county. The South County property is part of a farmland base that produces corn and soybeans.

While bulldozers moved earth in the background, more than 100 people crowded into a tent in Middle River on Thursday to celebrate the rebirth of a 17-acre site on Baltimore County's east side. The county has razed a crime-ridden apartment complex and brokered a partnership to build Renaissance Square, a community that promises affordable homes to seniors and working families. Officials, developers, clergy and former Kingsley Park residents extolled the project, which includes 81 apartments for seniors and 115 homes, many of them priced for moderate-income families.

County officials are encouraging residents to submit comments on a draft of the General Development Plan, the final version of which is to be completed later this year. The land-use plan, which is required by the state, is revised every decade. The plan is meant to serve as a guide for county growth and development during next 10 to 20 years. The more than 200-page draft addresses several topics, including land use and development policy, priority preservation areas, transportation and water resources.

State officials are expected today to approve buying one of the largest privately owned forests on the Eastern Shore, despite complaints from some that government should not spend money on land preservation during a budget crisis. At least two of the three members of the state Board of Public Works indicated yesterday that they support spending $14.4 million to buy nearly 4,800 wooded acres in Worcester County that natural resources officials say harbor a wealth of rare plants, birds and animals.

Keeping open space away from developers Last week, Gov. Martin O'Malley announced plans to protect more than 9,000 acres of environmentally significant land that will be made available to Maryland residents ("State plans to preserve 9,200 acres," Dec. 4). Some may wonder whether, given the current economic climate, this is the appropriate time for such a move. It absolutely is. We should not wait for real estate prices to peak again to purchase and protect such jewels. Waiting would ultimately waste state resources.

In a move hailed by conservation leaders, Gov. Martin O'Malley announced plans yesterday to buy five large tracts of forest, farmland and waterfront for more than $71 million to preserve them from development and enhance public access to the Chesapeake Bay. The governor disclosed the deals to acquire more than 9,200 acres in Cecil, Charles, St. Mary's and Worcester counties as he unveiled a new computerized map of Maryland's environmentally valuable lands,...

An air-conditioned, spacious dining hall and conference center with a fully equipped, commercial kitchen, a newly graded playing field and an Olympic-sized pool are making the Harford County 4-H Camp a cool place to pass the summer. With a name befitting its setting, Deer Creek Overlook, the newest amenity and centerpiece of the camp in Forest Hill, is providing club members with a year-round activity center and a source of revenue for the entire facility. The 12,000-square-foot multi-purpose center, which opened last month, will be formally dedicated at 2 p.m. today and is already becoming a popular spot for receptions, business conferences and social gatherings.

Plan could stem Columbia's decline Downtown Columbia has been losing business to surrounding, newer developments for years. It is past time to reverse the damage to what was once a hot spot for businesses wanting to locate in the Baltimore-Washington corridor ("Views of the future," July 11). A deteriorating core of a community is dangerous to its economic health. We need to replace the outdated buildings with architecturally distinguished ones. We want more places to eat, and we need more housing options for the downtown work force, as well as others who want to live and work in the community.