The following article was submitted by Fifth District County Councilman David Marks about the County Council approving a Master Plan for Middle River, White Marsh and Rossville
Every ten years, the Baltimore County Planning Board conducts an in-depth review of Baltimore County’s needs in an effort to proactively address those needs in upcoming years.
This is put together in a document called the Master Plan, and it’s an active resource for the following decade as projects are created and prioritized.
As part of the most recent Baltimore County Master Plan (2030), a series of Small Area Plans were scheduled in order to take the broad needs and customize them to a specific area of Baltimore County.
The systematic development of small area community plans allows the Department of Planning to identify specific, place-based strategies for advancing and refining the goals of Master Plan 2030 while supporting the future land use and development trajectory of Baltimore County’s individual communities.
The first of these was the Small Area Plan for Area 11 which encompasses White Marsh, Middle River, Bowleys Quarters, Essex, and Rossville.
These areas are experiencing shifting economic dynamics along with redevelopment concerns.
Throughout the 10-month process, the Planning Board met with community members, leaders, and organizations in order to identify four core areas of improvement and create initiatives and priorities: Connectivity, like improving bike and pedestrian safety as well as further evaluating transit needs and acting accordingly.
Environment & Open Space, with shoreline and habitat conservation as well as open spaces created for community enjoyment. Community, with attainable housing and community resiliency and services.
And finally, Economic improvements that include supporting existing businesses, improving area tourism, and promoting revitalization in key areas.
The Council voted on Tuesday, Feb. 17 to adopt the new Small Area Plan. My office worked closely with the Planning Board and community organizations and leaders throughout the area to refine the plan’s language.
We wanted to ensure that the full needs of the community were as represented as possible, and that the Small Area Plan for Area 11 was the best possible guide to move us forward.
As an example, we included language that will hopefully advance a Middle River branch of the Baltimore County Public Library.
We also highlighted the need to move forward new volunteer fire stations, as well as a solution for the overcrowding at Overlea High School.
I would like to thank all those who participated in this important planning document for the Eastside.
