Older Communities

Baltimore County is striving to retain middle-class families In her column "Affordable housing real Smart Growth" (Opinion Commentary Dec. 11), Deborah Povich misrepresented the fundamental premise of Baltimore County's effort to revitalize Essex-Middle River and other older communities. The county's revitalization efforts are designed to retain middle-class families. But the fact is that many young people growing up in older communities of the county moved away when deciding where to buy their first home.

MARYLAND IS nationally known for its Smart Growth and Neighborhood Conservation Program. It is also known as one of the leading states for programs aimed at preserving its heritage and using historic preservation as a tool for economic development. Perhaps the single most effective incentive available for enhancing and revitalizing older communities across the state is the Maryland Heritage Structure Rehabilitation Tax Credit. But with the state in a budget crisis, the tax credit program is now being targeted for cuts.

Greater Dundalk Community Council members told Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith Jr. last night that they are excited about his proposal for a new redevelopment process and want the first project in their community. Members also suggested at the meeting tweaking of a draft bill that Smith released in November to ensure that the traditional, mixed-use developments that he is trying to encourage would be compatible with the broader community. They also asked that enough time be given for residents to think about a redevelopment project and come to a consensus.

Howard County Executive James N. Robey released a draft of the county's 2000 General Plan yesterday that proposes lower housing goals, stronger environmental protection and revitalization of older communities. Although it calls for no expansion of public water and sewer service to accommodate additional growth in the western part of the county, it does leave open the possibility of expansion in "isolated occurrences where minor adjustments may be appropriate," according to a news release issued yesterday.

CHANGES that Howard County Councilman Guy J. Guzzone wants to make in the mixed-use zoning classification are political dynamite that must be handled carefully. Mixed-use zoning is a good tool to implement Smart Growth policies that reduce sprawl and cluster development for efficient use of infrastructure. That tool could be damaged in Mr. Guzzone's zeal to stop one particular project.The councilman, former head of the state Sierra Club chapter, has been an ally of critics of two large, planned mixed-use developments.

REMARKS BY Howard County Executive James N. Robey in support of the need to increase affordable housing were pleasing to those who agree. What was left unsaid, however, may be more important. Mr. Robey last week endorsed a goal of the county housing department to increase affordable housing, but he offered no suggestions about how to proceed.In years past, affordable-housing proponents suggested requiring developers to include a percentage of units for low- and middle-income families in their subdivisions.

Robey seeks public input on plans for 2001 budget Howard County Executive James N. Robey will solicit comments on spending priorities for the fiscal year 2001 operating and capital budgets during a citizens budget meeting at 7: 30 p.m. Monday in the Banneker Room of the George Howard Building, 3430 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City. A summary of departmental budget requests will be available tomorrow from the Information and Referral Office on the first floor. Sign-up sheets for testimony will be available at 6: 30 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

Howard County's efforts to buy land for more affordable housing got a boost yesterday in the form of a $300,000 state Community Legacy Grant. "We'll take this lump sum and put it right into the land," said Neil J. Gaffney, deputy county housing administrator. The award, announced by Gov. Parris N. Glendening at a housing conference in Baltimore, is the second installment of a funding request the county made last year. The state provided a grant of $125,000 in December, which was used, along with other funds, to buy land in Jessup, where detached homes costing about $150,000 each will be built in 2006.

The Baltimore County Council narrowly defeated measures last night that would have imposed building moratoriums in several older communities. A bill by Council Chairman Joseph Bartenfelder called for the county to stop issuing permits for new homes in the Overlea/Fullerton area until creation of a community growth plan. A similar bill by Bartenfelder and Councilman Vincent J. Gardina applied to the Carney and Parkville areas. Both failed on 4-3 votes. The north county's councilman, T. Bryan McIntire, the only Republican member, voted against both and said he opposed using moratoriums to derail unpopular housing projects.

After conducting a nationwide search for a planning director, Anne Arundel County Executive John R. Leopold has made acting director Lois Villemaire his choice to oversee the county's fast-paced growth. Villemaire, a 58-year-old Annapolis resident, takes over the department at a time of explosive growth, fueled by the 20,000 jobs expected to arrive at Fort Meade within the next four years. The base expansion is triggering billions of dollars in retail, office and residential construction across Anne Arundel - and putting pressure on the county to upgrade roads and other infrastructure.