Katy Kendrick, Coordinator
410-887-5606
kkendrick@baltimorecountymd.gov
The Central Sector, which has a land area of 44.55 square miles, is about half the size of the Northwest Sector. This sector borders Baltimore City on the south, and lies between Falls Road and I-83 on the west, Perring Parkway and Cromwell Bridge Road on the east, and Hunt Valley on the north. The major communities are Cockeysville, Lutherville, Greater Hillendale, Joppa-Loch Raven, and Greater Towson, which is the Baltimore County seat. Major roads are York Road and Dulaney Valley Road, Falls Road, Perring Parkway, Joppa Road and Loch Raven Boulevard.
The Central Sector had almost no population growth during the 1980-1990 decade. Residents in this sector tend to be older, with the highest household incomes and the most expensive housing. The median value of housing units is in the $125,000 to $149,000 range, compared to the median value in the County, that is in the $75,000 to $99,000 range. The higher value for housing in this sector is related to the sector's higher household income. There were fewer single-family homes and more apartments in this sector in 1990, which led to a lower homeownership rate. There are more than 17,600 multifamily housing units in the Central Sector and of these, nearly 6,100 or 34% are located in Cockeysville. The average per unit value of multifamily housing units is $34,495, the highest in the County. This sector also experienced the greatest increase in assessed value of multifamily properties and also has the greatest number of jobs.
In 1990, the Central Sector had a population of 116,471 persons and an average population density of 2,614.4 persons per square mile, which is more than twice the average density for all of Baltimore County. Between 1980 and 1990, the population in the Central Sector increased by only 0.7 percent.
The breakdown by age group in this sector is noteworthy for the higher percentage of persons aged 65 and older than in the County (19 percent in the sector vs. 14 percent in the County) or in any of the other sectors. Probably as a result of the older age of its residents, the sector's average household size of 2.4 persons was the smallest for the five sectors. In addition, the Central Sector had a higher proportion of non-minority persons than in the County (90 percent vs. 85 percent, respectively) and a lower proportion of African-American persons (6 percent in the sector vs. 12 percent in the County).
Residents in the Central Sector tended to have a higher income than in the other sectors or in the County as a whole. About one-quarter (26 percent) of persons in this sector were classified as low- and moderate-income persons in 1990, compared to 30 percent in the County. Information on household income shows that the median household income in the Central Sector was in the $40,000 to $49,999 range compared to the median for the County of $38,837. The sector also had more than its proportional share of the County's households with incomes of $100,000 or more. While the sector had 18 percent of all County households in 1990, it had 27 percent or more of the County's households in each of the top three income brackets.
The Central Sector had an estimated 143,330 jobs in 1990, which was the greatest number of jobs for any sector, and was half again as many jobs as in the Northwest Sector, which ranked second in jobs. The following are the major employers in the Central Sector: Baltimore County Government, Towson State University, St. Joseph Medical Center, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, McCormick & Company, Becton Dickinson and Company, AT&T, Proctor & Gamble Cosmetic and Fragrance Products, PHH Corporation, Allied Signal Communications Systems, AAI Corporation, Sheppard Pratt Health System, and The Black & Decker Corporation.
In 1990 the Central Sector had a comparatively low proportion of single-family homes (40 percent vs. 49 percent County-wide) and a high proportion of multi-family units (36 percent vs. 25 percent for the County). Together, the number of multi-family units in the Central and Northwest sectors accounted for 56 percent of all multi-family housing in Baltimore County in 1990. The high proportion of multi-family units in the Central Sector was mostly rental housing and is reflected in the sector's comparatively low homeownership rate of 57.6 percent.
Housing in the Central Sector tended to be similar in age to the County as a whole, but was significantly more expensive. The median value of the units was in the $125,000 to $149,999 range, compared to the median value for the County in the $75,000 to $99,999 range. The higher value for housing in this sector is related to the sector's higher income per household.
The housing vacancy rate for the sector was 4.8 percent in 1990, which is near the County's rate of 4.7 percent.
The Central Sector includes five (5) major Community Conservation areas:
Joppa-Loch Raven - This section is bounded by the Baltimore Beltway (I-695), Taylor Avenue, Loch Raven Boulevard and Perring Parkway. This area houses a large number of elderly persons. The housing stock tends to be older and, in some areas, is increasingly subject to speculative purchase by investors. A higher than usual proportion are for-sale. The local community associations, are strong and have traditionally played a major role in the community, as evidenced by their creation of a Community Conservation plan. The local business/commercial areas are in need of improvement, both functionally and aesthetically. Their general appearance suggests decline in the area.
Greater Towson - This part of the sector is bounded by the City line to the south, the Baltimore Beltway (I-695), Falls Road and Loch Raven Boulevard. The County seat, Towson, is in the midst of a commercial revival, based in large part upon the successful redevelopment of the Towsontowne Center and Towson Commons. Efforts have been focussed on the construction of the "roundabout" at York, Dulaney and Joppa Roads, which is expected to improve traffic circulation through the commercial core, the redevelopment of the former Hutzlers store, and the construction of streetscape improvements along York Road. It is hoped that improvements to York Road will encourage redevelopment/revitalization of the 300, 400 and 500 blocks of York Road. There are many strong active community associations, recreation groups and PTAs in the area.
Cockeysville - In Cockeysville, there are a significant number of multi-family housing developments. Most were built after 1970, and do not exhibit the degree of blight found in older developments in other areas of the County. Crime and drugs are a problem in some parts of the area, as are schools, recreation and transportation.
North Central - This area is the northernmost part of the district, bounded by Hunt Valley on the north, the Baltimore Beltway (I-695) to the south, Falls Road and the Loch Raven Watershed. It is dominated by large residential areas which flank the Hunt Valley industrial area and the York Road commercial corridor. Both areas are undergoing change, especially Hunt Valley which is shifting from industrial-use to office and large-scale retail. The local business community has begun to work together more closely to meet changing economic conditions and obtaining support from County and State programs aimed at commercial revitalization. The extension of the light-rail system to the Hunt Valley Mall brings economic potential, but also is a cause of concern to local residents and businesses due to fear - real or imagined - of increased crime. Traffic congestion is also an increasing problem.
Greater Hillendale - This area, bounded by Taylor Avenue, Loch Raven Boulevard, Perring Parkway and the City line, exhibits many of the signs of an area under stress. Homeownership is below 40 percent and many homes are being bought by speculators as middle-class individuals and families leave the area. The high concentration of large multi-family housing developments house younger low-income families who have a wide range of needs. Poor education performance, crime, and racial tension are also evident in the area. The local commercial centers reflect the low-incomes and lack of purchasing power of the adjacent communities and are in need of revitalization.
The central sector's southern border is marked by urbanized residential neighborhoods with Baltimore City, including Idlewylde, Rodgers Forge, Anneslie, and Greater Hillendale. As the sector heads north there are the communities of Joppa-Loch Raven, Greater Towson, Lutherville, Timonium and Cockeysville. As much as urban communities can be associated with proximity to the City, many of the "outside the beltway" communities are centered around major transportation routes that have spawned commercial, retail and industrial uses in their midst and an increasingly elderly and ethnically diverse population
Basic complaints about increased traffic have long been a staple topic in community meetings, and still surface. However, a pro-active focus on issues has helped most neighborhoods to successfully redefine a healthy viable community to include the principles of community conservation: working partnerships with each other, with the private sector and with appropriate government agencies and resources. Issues discussed and impacted include:
- multifamily housing: physical conditions and how to reach transient tenants with low community attachment
- crime rates and types: Citizens on Patrol, Neighborhood Watch to help manage vandalism, bicycle and auto theft, street safety
- infrastructure; alley reconstruction; improved lighting, repaving streets, and street signage
- school test scores and faculty quality
- appropriate redevelopment in the neighborhood
- quality and character of the housing stock
- youth services, and community.
Volunteer leadership capacity has been augmented by grants to: The Towson Partnership, Northeast Towson Improvement Association, and Loch Raven Business Association / Loch Raven Community Council to enrich relationship between residential and commercial areas.
Greater Hillendale has a commitment from the County and the State to build a Police Athletic League / Recreation Center scheduled to open in early Fall 1998. Greater Hillendale is one of thirty-five "HotSpots" designated by the State of Maryland for intensified investment in crime control and prevention. The Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Control, Juvenile Justice Advisory Council, renewed its commitment to the Community Counseling and Resource Center (CCRC) supporting community-based staff and the PAL prevention programming. Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) of Greater Hillendale continues to provide home-ownership promotion and counseling as it gains additional private sector lending commitments. Tax credits through the Neighborhood Preservation and Stabilization Act of 1996 and the County's Settlement Expense Loan Program (SELP) for first-time homebuyers provided additional financial incentives. Home ownership and attracting young families continues to be a priority.
The Greater Hillendale Multi-family Housing Council meets with community representatives with the reduction in tenant mobility as their priority. In the Joppa-Loch Raven area, where home ownership is the rule rather than the exception, the Loch Raven Business Association is an emerging, positive community force. Through town meetings, residential and business groups have developed a concept plan to enhance the Loch Raven Corridor from Joppa Road to Taylor Avenue. A mini library has reopened in the original library location and a new Police Community Resource Center recently opened.
The Towson Enhancement Project with its innovative "urban" traffic roundabout and York Road streetscape has showcased Greater Towson, the County seat and home to Towson University and Goucher College and three major medical centers. Land use issues, especially those at the commercial/ residential nexus remain critical. Pedestrian safety, open space, recreation and commuter traffic generated by Towson's employment center continue to be discussed.
Communities bordering I-83 such as Lutherville, Timonium, Hunt Valley and Cockeysville focus on protecting communities from increasingly urban problems including dense commercial area traffic and the impact of the MTA Light Rail Hunt Valley extension. West Timonium Heights is working with the MTA, Timonium Fairgrounds, Neighborhood Design Center (NDC), Police, State Highways, Environmental Protection, and Transportation Design to address both a neighborhood security and a water quality issue on the southern border of the community. The Cockeysville Multi-family Housing Council worked with Police Outreach unit to conduct a residents survey focusing on the 7,000 rental units and the surrounding homeowner communities.
The Hillendale community in recent years had experienced a decline in the homeownership rate. The County contracted with Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (NHS) to provide a comprehensive community development and housing program in the Greater Hillendale community. The County has provided over $350,000 in operating support and has made SELP and rehabilitation funds available. The NHS model is a nationally proven model of a neighborhood-based nonprofit using a three-pronged approach of increasing homeownership, marketing, and community organizing to help stabilize and revitalize the community. Since FY 1996, according to NHS, 38 vacant or rental properties have been converted to homeownership. The strategy has included pilot legislation the institute a real estate tax credit program entitled the Neighborhood Preservation and Stabilization Act Tax Credit Pilot. Since FY 96, the successful employment of the NHS strategy has resulted in 185 successful mortgage loans settled. This includes 74 SELP loans and 106 tax credit deals. The State legislature has been asked to continue this program for two more years.
The County's homeownership efforts were expanded into the balance of the Central Sector. Harbel, a nonprofit organization, has provided homebuyer education and counseling to first time homebuyers to enable borrowers to access the County's SELP Program. The County will work with leaders of the Ridgeleigh community in FY 2001 to develop and conduct an assessment of the housing needs.
The County's commitment to supporting the development of affordable elderly housing is a continued priority. More than 200 units of affordable housing have been developed in the Central Sector since FY 1996. The County funded and provided support to Associated Catholic Charities (ACC), a nonprofit organization, for the development of Trinity House, an 82 unit affordable elderly housing project that is located in Towson. The County leased land to ACC for a nominal $1 and provided funding to relocate utilities. The County also provided $500,000 to support the development of Warren Place, 120 unit elderly housing development located in Cockeysville, which also includes a senior center.
Issues concerning multifamily housing complexes continue to gain interest from the County. Initiatives in the Central Sector that focus on multifamily housing are in place in the Hillendale and Cockeysville areas. Combined, the two areas have more than 8,000 units of multifamily housing. In Hillendale, the Hillendale Multifamily Council has been meeting monthly and includes representation from the community and property owners/managers. Members of the Council are also working with the Greater Hillendale Regional Project in cooperation with Baltimore City and County agencies and multifamily property owners/managers. A set of recommendations about public safety, youth, education, and multifamily properties have been formulated and distributed to the Executives of both Baltimore City and Baltimore County. The Cockeysville Multifamily Housing Council has been successfully re-activated. The County is working with Southern Management (owner of Deer Tree Apartments) and the Police Department to increase tenant involvement and to address public safety concerns.
Increasing community capacity is the underlying theme of the County's efforts to work in partnership with private sector partners including nonprofit organizations. The Office of Community Conservation has provided grant funding to support operating and staff costs for the Loch Raven Community Council, the Loch Raven Business Association, and currently provides operating support to the Towson Partnership. Unpaid volunteers, who work with public and private sector partners to address issues of common concern, govern these groups.
Sustainable partnership development is the cornerstone of a successful community development strategy. The County's efforts to facilitate principled partnerships between stakeholders continue to bear fruit in the County's neighborhoods. The Neighborhood Housing Services' Neighborhood Advisory Board works directly with community associations, County agencies, and local businesses to work on comprehensive community development issues. These issues include public safety, health, education, human services, access to County services, and infrastructure improvements. The group works closely with the Loch Raven Community Council and the Loch Raven Business Association to formulate strategies and to cooperatively address concerns.
The County's continued focus in the Hillendale area includes a commitment to the well being of children. In answer to community-expressed concerns regarding a lack of organized recreational activities in the community, the County and the State has invested $1,000,000 in the construction of a new Police Athletic League Center (PAL) in the Hillendale community. Developed in partnership with the County Police Department, the Board of Education, and Department of Recreation and Parks, the Hillendale PAL Center provides a range of recreational and after school activities in a community-based setting. The County has also funded the development of a PAL Center in the Cockeysville area in response to the community's expressed desire for more recreational activities for youth. Also developed in partnership with the Police Department, the Board of Education and the Department of Recreation and Parks, the new facility serves over 200 registrants and is conveniently and strategically located next to the Cockeysville Library.
Located in the northern section of the Central Sector, Pot Spring Elementary School's PTA undertook a fundraising effort to re-establish the playground which was found to be unsafe. The Board of Education provided $20,000 and the Office of Community Conservation provided support in the amount of $10,000 to fund the project. Funds of $7,000 were pledged by the PTA to support the construction of the new playground at Pot Spring.
The Carver Center, located in East Towson that is a historically African-American community, is the focal point for a range of community-based activities including day care, senior assistance, and youth activities. The East Towson Coalition operates the Center and has a $1 per year lease from the County. The County also provides funding for a community organizer, who is also a long-time community resident!
At the request of the County Councilman's office, the Department of Recreation and Parks and the Office of Community Conservation collaborated to acquire a property commonly referred to as the Old Stebbins Oil Depot to extend the Towson Manor Park. The park is located on the northern border of Towson Manor Village and across the street from the East Towson Carver Center. The park provides much needed open space that serves the residents of East Towson and Towson Manor.
Towson is not only the County seat of Baltimore County government but also the heart of the County. The growth of the County has been reflected in the increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic in the business district of Towson. This contributed to failing traffic patterns and congestion at the difficult intersection of York Road, Joppa Road and Dulaney Valley Road. The County and State provided $4 million for improvements to the Towson business district which includes a $1.5 million construction of a roundabout intersection.
A $2.5 million streetscape project to complement the roundabout was completed that improves pedestrian access by creating promenade-style sidewalks, adding special lighting, and landscaping to the areas in front of local businesses. The project has leveraged more than $750,000 in private investment and became a driving force in the decision to proceed with the $25 million redevelopment of the formerly vacant Hutzlers' building. The redevelopment of the Hutzlers' building has attracted several new businesses to the Towson business district; bringing added jobs and attracting increased pedestrian shopping. New businesses include Pier One Imports, a multi-level Barnes and Nobles Bookstore, a Public Storage facility, Home Elements, and a newly relocated Bally's Total Fitness Health Club.
The County has also begun streetscape projects at Loch Raven Boulevard and Joppa Road and at Loch Raven Boulevard and Taylor Avenue. The County is providing $500,000 to repave the roadway, construction of new sidewalks, and construction of new curbs and gutters for the Loch raven and Joppa Road streetscape project. The County is providing $800,000 for the Loch Raven and Taylor Avenue project that will include new sidewalks, curbs and gutters, and repaving of the roadway. Lastly, the County provided $15,000 to landscape the Goucher Boulevard.
The Central sector has a land area of 44.55 square miles. It borders Baltimore City on the south, and lies between Falls Road and I-83 on the west, Perring Parkway and Cromwell Bridge Road on the east and Hunt Valley on the north. Major communities include Timonium, Cockeysville, Lutherville, Greater Hillendale, Joppa-Loch Raven, and Greater Towson.
Housing, public safety, infrastructure, public services delivery, education, commercial development and after-school programs are continuing concerns for these communities. Over the past four years community groups and the County have worked collaboratively to address quality and character of the housing stock, education and other youth services, and community attachment. All have significant impact on community conservation goals among increasingly elderly and ethnically diverse populations.
Cockeysville
Cockeysville Multi-family Housing - Representatives from seven of the multi-family properties in this section of the county meet monthly to discuss issues and opportunities, and share information common to rental properties. Staff will assist the group in developing an action plan for the purpose of identifying funding sources for various projects and activities for the residents of the multi-family housing communities.
Cockeysville Service Providers Network - Various agencies provide community based support services to residents living in the area. As a result, the office will facilitate the development of a service provider network. The network will be comprised of service providers, schools and residents. During the monthly meetings, participants will discuss and coordinate programs and services, resolve problems and issues, develop new initiatives, outreach and marketing strategies and service delivery plans for children, the elderly and families.
Greater Hillendale
Greater Hillendale Multi-family Housing Council - This office will continue to work with the council on issues and opportunities common to rental properties and provide a direct communication line to Baltimore County government services, programs and agencies, as well as to community associations in the vicinity. Steps will be taken to formulate an action plan for the purpose of identifying funding sources for various projects and activities for the residents of the various multi-family housing developments.
Greater Hillendale Service Providers Network - Efforts will be made to facilitate the development of a service provider network in this community. The network will be comprised of service providers, schools and residents. During the monthly meetings, participants will discuss and coordinate programs and services, resolve problems and issues, develop new initiatives, outreach and marketing strategies and service delivery plans for children, the elderly and families.
Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Hillendale (NHS) - Home ownership and revitalization is a major focus for this organization in the community. We will strengthen our ties with the organization by continuing to sit on the advisory board and by actively participating and supporting their efforts to increase home ownership and encourage neighborhood viability, self-reliance and pride.
Multi-family Housing Community Association - A school-based community organization, the local elementary school, members of a local church will assist in the office's efforts to organize and mobilize the community. The management of the multi-family housing developments will be supporting these efforts.
Greater Hillendale Community Plan - Work with the Planning Office, residents, community organizations and local government representatives to develop a plan as an outgrowth of the recommendations from the city/county project. The plan will focus on the following components: housing; multi-family rental and home ownership, education, recreation; youth activities, public safety; quality of life.
Greater Loch Raven
Greater Loch Raven Community Strategy - Assist the Loch Raven Community Council to develop a strategy by identifying the issues that concern the community, suggest course of action, direction and guidance to address current problems and issues. The areas of focus are residential and business.
Streetscape and Business Revitalization - Support staff from the Department of Public Works and Department of Economic Development with their streetscape and business revitalization efforts.
Ridgeleigh
Youth Activity/Recreation Strategy - Serve as a resource for the Youth Activity committee and assist them with developing a youth activity strategy for the middle school aged children in the community. Assist them with organizing programs that offer the children fun and exciting activities that educate while providing social interaction.
North East Towson
Housing - Act a lead agency to assess the housing stock, identify property owners and housing needs of this community and from this partner with the community, county agencies and others to develop a comprehensive housing strategy.
Revised March 23, 2007
Courthouse 