Finding Loopholes In Anti-Sprawl Laws

Maryland's anti-sprawl laws are being circumvented by innovative developers in rural communities through the annexation process.

1 minute read

October 25, 2004, 7:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen

"The state's 1997 Smart Growth law tries to curb suburban sprawl by targeting state spending on existing communities... But builders have discovered that they can purchase undeveloped land on the edge of a town and apply to have it annexed while offering municipalities various sweeteners. Once the municipality absorbs the land, it is treated, for the purposes of Smart Growth, as a developed area."

Thanks to Chris Steins

FULL STORY: Growth, a fighting word on the Shore

Sunday, October 24, 2004 in The Baltimore Sun

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