Master Plan 2010 Highlights

Master Plan 2010 considers the inter-relationships between land use and the broad spectrum of other planning elements such as education, public safety, transportation, social services, community conservation, rural preservation, natural conservation, historic preservation and community stewardship. These elements are all intertwined, and each plays an important part in making communities, and thus the County, successful.  The Master Plan 2010 process included meetings with citizens, planning board and county council hearings and adoptions.

Major Master Plan Goals:

• Continue to protect citizens from crime in their homes and communities.
• Continue to make the quality of public education a top priority.
• Develop and retain a skilled work force.
• Ensure an adequate supply of jobs providing family-supporting wages.
• Preserve the County’s significant investment in its established communities.
• Maintain the URDL.
• Continue to safeguard environmental resources.
• Provide quality parks and recreational opportunities.
• Promote the protection and restoration of County historic resources.

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Plan 2010

Major Master Plan Issues and Strategies:

Aging Infrastructure: Baltimore County, as a maturing jurisdiction, is facing challenges and opportunities unique in its history. The urban portion of Baltimore County is beginning to be impacted by aging infrastructure. Like many other areas in the United States whose growth took place in the immediate post-World War II building boom, the many of the county’s buildings, roads and utilities are over 50 years old, and near the end of their life expectancy.  The County’s sustained prosperity will require substantial reinvestment in its urban areas.

Quality of Development:  Strategies are proposed to ensure that new development and redevelopment is of high quality, and compatible with its surroundings.

Changing Population: The master plan contains strategies for addressing its changing population characteristics, including its increasing senior population.  It also seeks to address social issues, and the need to bring additional services and resources to areas experiencing social distress.

Jobs: The master plan recommends aggressive economic development initiatives that generate and retain family supporting jobs. Measures will need to be undertaken to preserve an adequate supply of land for job creation, develop a trained and skilled workforce, and revitalize aging commercial centers. Maintaining a healthy, strong tax base will ensure that adequate jobs and services are provided to county residents.

Rural Preservation: Baltimore County’s rural areas continue to face development pressure. Master Plan 2010 explores new concepts for achieving agricultural preservation goals, protecting natural resources and maintaining rural character. One such concept is the use of development rights purchases to compensate property owners for the loss of density.  Another approach is developing standards for a pattern of development that blends in with the rural area.

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Revised June 10, 2009