I am interested in starting a discussion on growth. From the poll it appears that several of the readers of this blog are concerned about it. I did not vote for growth in my own poll so I guess I am interested in peeking into the minds of those who feel it is an issue and possibly brainstorm some ideas on dealing with it.
Harford County is growing for better or for worse. We have new developments popping up from Joppatowne to Whiteford. There have been some fairly recent studies that prove/argue that growth pays for itself. The main question stays the same however. Do we want the growth? I think we can all agree that it is neither possible nor appropriate to stop all growth in our county. We then must move to the next question. How much growth should we permit? I am not really sure how to answer this question. I recently heard that the lack of available housing in Harford County is driving the price up to a point past what most new home buyers are willing or able to pay. This, by itself, will slow growth. I think that most people are concerned about the areas that are permitted to grow. David Craig mentioned concern about the Rt. 22 corridor when he vetoed the comprehensive rezoning. I did not hear him voice concern about the new neighborhoods currently being built in Joppa and Edgewood. For quite some time county officials have embraced the “development envelope.†I’m not sure I could tell you where the line actually resides but there is a pocket in Harford County that has been deemed development worthy or acceptable. Anything outside that line is frowned upon and difficult to develop (unless you have the ability to create huge lots).
To start the discussion I have some questions that I feel should be addressed:
- Is the “development envelope†working?
- What are the main concerns over growth? (schools, traffic, housing prices, etc…)
- What are some practical ways that we can control growth without shooting ourselves in the foot? (try to avoid the law of unintended consequences)
- Can/should our politicians be controlling growth or is this a free-market issue?
If we can answer these questions we may be able to come up with a working plan to deal with the growth “problem.â€
12 responses so far ↓
1 Chris Biggs // May 15, 2006 at 11:03 pm
One of the most important factors to growth is providing more public input into the development process. Currently the Development Advisory Committee hearings occur so late in the development process that the citizens are unable to give input in a way that affects the development. It is true that because of Dion Guthrie’s APF Ordinance we are now seeing Copenhaven Park here in Joppatowne being torn down to build houses. The plans have already been submitted and will begin. Besides losing the small portion of open space that exists in the Development Envelope, at a minimum we could have worked with the Developers to grant the right set asides to compliment the park, not only for the current residents, but the future ones that will move into these homes.
The key to handling the growth issue and the future development of Harford County is more community input into the process and more transparency.
2 GOPerative // May 16, 2006 at 4:27 pm
I’m beginning to think that people do not really know what they are talking about when they say growth is an issue. People think it is an issue because it has been repeated time and time again. It seems to be a popular thing to say but no one really has a clue what to do about it. I don’t even see it as a major issue which is what prompted me to write the article.
I agree with you Mr. Biggs that more community input and transparency is needed in the development process. I still question whether this would actually stop or even slow growth. For example, let’s pretend I have a farm and I want to develop it. I have a developer jumping through all the hoops for me and they are as transparent as the law requires them to be. They post the signs, hold meetings, etc… In the end the land will be developed no matter who knew about it before hand. I think most of the time people could care less until the houses are already built and they see their kids going to school in a trailer. It is almost impossible to be proactive on growth (besides setting quotas). The land is developed, people move in, and we then say, “Oh ****.” Then there is a mad scramble to build up the schools and a few discussions on water supply. Schools are built, water is supplied and then the government rests until the next growth spurt. We can’t build schools in anticipation of growth. I feel that on this issue we are destined to be one step behind the growth at all times.
3 Brian Young // May 16, 2006 at 9:47 pm
GOPerative,
It is possible to be proactive about growth, and we CAN build schools in ‘anticipation’ of growth. A principle part of my agenda is the need for better planning in Harford.
Current state guidelines only allow schools to be built based on current enrollment figures. This needs to be changed, as it has never worked. The state-mandated percentages have been nothing but a problem- not just in Harford County, but in places like Allegany, where the state was calling for a new building when the county was in the process of consolidating for 3 to 2 buildings. Additionally, since we’re forward-funding the schools anyway, the county could use projections to balance out capacity. Opening the new Aberdeen High building overcapacity, and requiring an addition and portables only 2 years later, is absurd.
While you’re right in saying that people generally do not ‘wake up’ to the affects of new building until the buildings are there (this may be changing- see the Royal Farms, private school location, and the new development slotted for 3/4 stories off Laurel Bush as examples), but the county doesn’t have the same problem. As I believe you (and I know the Aegis and others) have said in the past, the developers are finishing using the permits issued before the APF changes now, just when they’ll be able to get new ones. The county knows where residential developments will be, and how many buildings inhabited by what likely demographics, well in advance of any actual impact on our infrastructure.
We may be destined to always be one step behind growth, but the problem is that we’re a league behind. There is no reason that good planning cannot allow for a proactive and symbiotic government relationship with growth in Harford.
4 popgothedems // May 17, 2006 at 9:43 am
The problem with growth in Harford County is that it is all residential bedroom community growth, not commercial/industrial/professional job center growth. Just look at I-95 in the morning and evening rush. It’s unbelievable and getting worse. That’s because Harford does not employ its citizens for the most part unless you’re involved in providing services like schools, retail, government, etc. What’s going on at APG is certainly a step in the right direction, but I still don’t think Harford will be as successful as say Baltimore, Howard or Anne Arundel Counties in employing its citizens unless more professional job centers are created. We’re real good at attracting the warehouse and distribution jobs, but not the banking, legal, etc. jobs. Why can’t there be a Towson or Columbia (job center only, not the socialism it brings!) in Harford County? What about this Homeland Security thing? How about a corporate headquarters or two? It takes vision and foresight which, I’m sorry but, a bunch of farmer leaders don’t have. That’s what we’ve had up to this point in Harford County is a bunch of farmer leaders who remember the good old days and don’t have the vision or brains it takes to create something great. Until our leadership changes, just put up a sign that says “Rooms Available, but No Jobs†at the Harford County line.
5 independent educator // May 17, 2006 at 10:05 pm
Another problem in keeping up with infra-sttructure needs, is Harford County’s conservative budget requests to the state. I have been told that the reason that we did not get some extra school construction $$ was because we had a high % of our original request funded. Therefor, those jurisdictions who asked for the moon got the extra bucks. I think we should ask for what we really need rather than what we think we can get from the state. There needs to be more of a team approach by county leadership in tandem with state reps.
6 PolJunk // May 18, 2006 at 6:30 pm
GOPerative may and likely will disagree with me, but I wish the politicos would stay off this and other blogs. We, the voters, are the ones bantering our thoughts. The politicos already have their own websites and other means to get their message/opinions out. You talk enough as it is…let us (the voters) have our place to read and comment without your interuption. Read and learn from us instead of telling us what “it” is.
I have come here much less often because I’m more interested in what those of us with little to no political aspirations but do have interest in politics are saying and thinking. If I want to hear what you’ve got to say (the politician), I’ll visit your website, email you a question/comment, or read an article about you in the Aegis/Sun/another newspaper.
7 GOPerative // May 19, 2006 at 1:24 am
PolJunk,
I agree with you to a point. I think the politicos should have the right to defend themselves. I will never let a politician dominate the discussion even if it is someone I personally support. People forget that politicians are voters too. They live in our county and want it to thrive. I think it would be wrong of them to tune out because “(they) talk enough.” I have been a little disappointed in the number of comments from “regular” people on the issues. This blog is ultimately for “regular” people made by a “regular” person. I want more people to participate in the discussion and if they don’t, by nature the big mouths will.
8 hmmmm // May 19, 2006 at 9:59 pm
To continue the free market and pro-business ramblings of a crazy old man, in reference to popgothedems, Harford County under Jim Harkins (gasp) had the number 1 job production in the state two years in a row. Harkins and Tom Sedowski put jobs 1st and really had some momentum going that David Craig seems to have picked up on. It is too soon to tell whether it will be true.
PolJunk: whenever “politicos” talk we get a bland response, just ignore them because everything is a well rehearsed campaign line. But, NO ONE ELSE IS TALKING. There is such a few amount of people who will respond and I personally am getting tired of GOPerative having to chime in after every comment (no offense but if we had real conversations going, he wouldn’t need to).
Growth, it’s inevitable, keep a developement envelope and channel proper growth into proper areas. That is the most politically correct statement in regards to growth but it’s true in the sense that we need to stick to some strong plans that have already been put on the books. BRAC will not be an end all to our problems, but a continuation of strong economic growth.
9 GOPerative // May 20, 2006 at 12:40 am
Hmmmm,
I like responding to everyone. I probably would try to regardless of how many people comment. The only articles people like to comment on deal with the politicos. With this latest article I am trying to focus on an issue that has been identified as a problem. Gosh, when I throw egg on Glassman’s face I get 40 comments. When I talk about issues with substance people stay quiet. I guess that is just the nature of blogging in HC. It will continue to grow and I can only hope that more people decide to join the conversation.
You are correct on growth. We need to keep the envelope and direct the development where it is needed.
10 popgothedems // May 20, 2006 at 11:07 am
Hmmmm,
Uh, $30,000/year warehouse don’t cut it and that’s where the majority of the growth occurred. Aberdeen has and will attract research jobs that pay good money, but what about other professionals? The pros live in Harford, but they don’t work there. The BRAC expansion will certainly have a positive impact on this, but I don’t trust Harford’s elected officials to even get this right. They’ll shut down or restrict development just as housing need starts to skyrocket. Then they’ll chase all the BRAC people down to Baltimore or up to Cecil. Harford has an opportunity to become Northern Virginia (economically), but are we up to the challenge? I doubt it.
11 Dion F. Guthrie Harford County Council Dristict A // May 23, 2006 at 9:52 pm
If you would like to print a reply from a Democrat to Mr Briggs comments, I offer this reply. Frist I agree that there needs to be a process added to the DAC process that is before Dac meets. The public has little to no input at that hearing. The public needs to have input long before DAC meets to let their feeling be heard. In addition Mr Briggs is totaly wrong about his comments about Copenhaven Park, however this just shows his lack of knowledge in this area. In fact, NO part of Copenhaven Park is being taken down for housing. I have no idea where he gets his info. In fact I have pass, in the budget, funds to add all new lighting to this park, an in addition, added funding for new “out” houses. Also the APFO ordinance I passed controls over crowding of our schools. Maybe Mr Briggs would like to see our schools over crowded but the parents of our school children would not. I guess Mr Briggs did not think I would see his comments. If you doubt my comments, just read the report from Park and Rec. You will see just what I have reported here, is true. Mr. Briggs should read some of those reports before he makes comments that are not even close to being true.
12 Chris Biggs // May 24, 2006 at 12:21 pm
I grew up appreciating the beauty of Copenhaver Park. When you walk up to the softball or Pop Warner football field, you are completely surrounded by a thick wooded area and are momentarily taken out of the distractions of the suburban setting to a place where children and parents can focus on the game their kids are playing. This park is so popular that during a football game, cars overcrowd the streets with parents wanting to see their children appreciate the innocence of childhood.
The development plan that I previously referred to will not take down the ball fields, but will ruin the tranquillity of the park by replacing every with houses. This is one of several new developments in Joppatowne that will take down any bit of green left and build homes. In fact, another development along Trimble Road, right across from Magnolia Elementary School will accomplish much of the same as the Copenhaver development. As the zoning board, you would hope that Councilman Guthrie would be aware of the project.
An article in the Baltimore Sun on April 28, 2006 entitled “Growth Laws Aggravate Sprawl, Research Says†cites a University of Maryland research study in which they examined Harford County’s APF Ordinance and found that it diverts many projects into areas that would normally of gone undeveloped. Since the Joppatowne school system is under capacity according to Councilman Guthrie’s APFO, many of the projects will find its way here. The Copenhaver development is a perfect example of this short-sighted and I can only hope unintended consequences of the APFO. One only has to browse the new developments in the Joppatowne area to see the truth in this. Joppa Farm Road which has remained constant for 40 years will soon be extended. Haverhill and Foster Knoll Roads will be connected for the first time as well. Developments along the north side of Trimble Road are sprouting up, and all this within a two square mile area.
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