Anne Arundel County

This document outlines the public engagement process for the Anne Arundel County General Development Plan, also referred to as Plan 2040. It details efforts to gather community feedback through listening sessions and surveys regarding the county's development, land use, and various other elements like water resources and agriculture. The plan aims to balance property rights with community concerns such as traffic, striving to create a sustainable and desirable environment for residents.

The meeting focused on reviewing and making progress on the draft Region 2 Plan strategies, which involved confirming the agenda and approving previous meeting notes. A significant portion of the discussion centered on ethics and conflicts of interest, including reminders to fill out the conflict of interest form and information regarding recusal during votes on matters where a financial interest exists. The committee reviewed updates related to housing strategies, specifically discussing the inclusion of 'Federal' in housing choice voucher programs and the approach to addressing School APF concerns by referencing existing draft region planning strategies and Plan 2040 items, deliberately excluding specific recommendations like averaging open seats. Transportation strategy follow-ups included discussions on spending impact fees in smaller geographical areas versus relying on future studies. Land use and zoning strategies were also addressed, including a proposal to support affordable housing studies and considerations for making certain policies, such as neighborhood preservation, more general within the region. Finally, discussions touched upon building code regulations related to setbacks and building envelopes affecting affordable housing development, and cultural resources strategies, particularly concerning mixed-use zoning for townhomes in diverse areas.

The meeting began with a formal roll call and recognition of attendees, including the Human Relations Officer and representatives from the County Executive's office, as well as the County Attorney and Assistant County Attorney. The agenda was temporarily adjusted to prioritize training before addressing the approval of previous minutes. The key discussion focused on training provided by legal counsel regarding state law provisions, specifically the Open Meetings Act and the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA). Topics covered under MPIA emphasized directing all information requests to the Office of the County Attorney and being mindful that communications like emails are subject to public disclosure. Discussion on the Open Meetings Act addressed requirements for accessible meetings, noting the current adaptation to virtual formats due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and retention periods for minutes. Furthermore, the presentation detailed conditions under which meetings or parts thereof could be closed (executive session), noting grounds such as consulting with counsel regarding litigation, and the procedures required for such closures.

The event was dedicated to announcing the allocation of nearly $19 million in Live Casino Impact Grants to deserving recipients. The Local Development Council (LDC), a 15-member advisory body, determines how casino impact dollars are invested. Priorities for these investments include Public Safety, large-scale education initiatives, transportation enhancements, park improvements, community revitalization, workforce development, and social service programs, focusing specifically on those benefiting residents and workers within a three-mile radius of the casino. Several specific grant awards were announced across various sectors, including education (Stair, MacArthur Middle School, Meade High School), community support (Annapolis Maritime Museum, Jessup Improvement Association, Sarah's House, Rebuilding Together), public infrastructure (Spring Meadows Homeowners Association), and major funding allocations to Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks, Anne Arundel County Library System, BWI Partnership, Anne Arundel Community College, and the Anne Arundel County Office of Public Works Department of Planning and Zoning. Public safety funding was also substantial, benefiting the Arundel County Fire Department and the Arundel County Police Department, with a specific focus for the latter on venue safety, community relationships, and emergency mitigation capabilities. Baltimore Washington Medical Center also received funding to expand its opioid overdose response program.

The meeting commenced with an update on the recording process due to a software issue and introductions. Key discussion points included an overview of the updated schedule for upcoming regional plan meetings and public forums, emphasizing the transition from small area plans. The committee reviewed progress on the vision statement, the land use map, policy areas map, and goals/policy strategies, noting that housing and land use topics remain outstanding. A significant portion of the discussion focused on economic development, specifically addressing feedback regarding the Fort Meade area, workforce development challenges across all sectors (commercial, government, nonprofit), and the impact of base activities on local infrastructure and traffic flow. The committee also addressed resource allocation, including support for the Fort Meade Alliance, and reviewed input on strengthening the commercial revitalization program, particularly regarding financial assistance and training programs versus continuing education.