New Housing Prohibited In Crowded School Areas

In Harford County, Maryland, an ordinance has been approved that would strictly limit the development of new homes in areas with overcrowded schools.

1 minute read

February 15, 2007, 1:00 PM PST

By Nate Berg


"The County Council unanimously passed a measure last week that strengthens the adequate public facilities law, which limits home construction where infrastructure is burdened. The momentum for the legislation comes largely in response to parents concerned with crowded classrooms."

"Under the former law, home building could proceed in an area with crowded schools if a new school was in the planning stages. The new ordinance requires a new school to be funded and under construction before a site plan for nearby residential development can be approved."

"'At least this bill begins to define the law for planners,' said Councilwoman Mary Ann Lisanti. 'But all the pieces have to come together. We can't just look at schools. We must look at community.'"

Sunday, February 11, 2007 in The Baltimore Sun

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

Nilu Jenks wears a long gray coat and speaks with one man and two women outside.

Housing is the top priority of Seattle’s sole new councilmember

Jenks campaigned on building 1,000 new units of affordable housing.

November 8 - Reason

People sit on wooden benches on a bus in Miami

New tax cuts may slash $1.5 billion in funding for Miami transit, public parks

Amendment 3 will save Miami-Dade homeowners $2,700 in 2028.

November 8 - Miami New Times

Two men install solar panels on the roof of a house.

Arizona, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania hope to finally advance climate goals post-midterms

The three states have spent years under Republican or divided control.

November 8 - Grist

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.