In Anne Arundel County (AAC), the mere mention of planning, development and zoning can ignite emotional responses. In a recent weekly e-newsletter to subscribers, County Executive Stuart Pittman said he also can be emotional about development. He bravely broached the topic, making clear he is pro-development when it occurs in the right places and against it when it harms the environment. He said in a week’s time he had visited several construction sites after being called on by outraged residents. Though the environmental insult he witnessed was hard to reconcile, he reminded readers that Anne Arundel is a “development-by-right” county. This may sound like a technical or complex term, but the definition is simple: by right, types of uses and development are permitted on a particular piece of land under the existing local regulations. He said, “Neighbors, county employees, county council members, and county executives are not empowered to deny grading or building permits for reasons other than noncompliance with county code, even when we’d prefer no development on the site.” 

The LWVAAC’s interest in planning and zoning dates to the mid-1980s. In 1986, an LWVAAC study group investigated county planning and zoning, and our League ultimately developed a policy position to support controlled growth, enforcement of land use controls, and adoption of new regulations to support these concepts. In 1992, LWVAAC updated its earlier study, which remains relevant today. With a formal policy position, LWVAAC is confident to weigh in on issues when appropriate. LWVAAC members have frequently interacted with the county Office of Planning and Zoning (OPZ) as well as with advisors to the county executive. 

Recently, a small group of LWVAAC members, interested in land use and urban development, met virtually with Cindy Carrier, head of the Long-Range Planning Section of the OPZ Planning Division, which also includes the Cultural Resources Section and the Research and GIS Section. Conversation centered on the ongoing process to develop the county’s 20-year General Development plan, known as Plan2040. Progress reports are prepared annually and, in the spirit of transparency, background on the elements to be addressed in Plan2040 is available online.