Maryland

Aerial view of an eight-lane highway tunnel with the harbor in the background.

Army Corps Recommends $77M Floodwall to Protect Baltimore Tunnels

In the face of growing flooding risk and increased traffic following the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, federal and state officials say protecting two of Baltimore's major transportation corridors from flooding is vital.

September 3, 2024 - The Baltimore Banner

Flattened cigarette butts littering a sidewalk

Maryland City Bans Smoking on a Public Street

City officials in Cumberland, Maryland, say smoking and use of smokeless tobacco products have deterred visitors to its downtown pedestrian mall and hopes the ban will make the area more welcoming.

August 26, 2024 - Cumberland Times-News

Close-up on the bottom half of people sitting in a hospital waiting room.

Maryland Assistance Program Links Housing and Healthcare

The state will begin funding an existing program that targets the healthcare needs of people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

August 21, 2024 - Route Fifty

Worker in blue pants holding hose while standing in flooded interior room.

Baltimore Sewer Backup Assistance Programs Stall

Two programs aimed at helping residents safely clean up overflows caused by aging pipes are in limbo due to a dispute between the city and the EPA.

August 20, 2024 - Inside Climate News

Aerial view of Baltimore's Inner Harbor with downtown skyline.

Baltimore Invests Billions to Clean its Waterways

Like Paris, the city has been working to improve its wastewater system and make local waterways safe for swimming.

August 13, 2024 - NPR

Green highway exit sign for Thurmont, Maryland.

Sober House Zoning Violations Prompt Questions

A sober living house in Maryland has been repeatedly fined by the city for operating as a boarding house, begging the question, where can these facilities be located?

August 6, 2024 - DC News Now

Night view of vintage theater with neon marquee in Bethesda, Maryland.

Opinion: Montgomery County Regulations Stifle Nightlife

The county hasn’t acted on the recommendations of its own Nighttime Economy Task Force, which suggested ways to improve the business climate for restaurants and nightclubs to draw younger residents to the region.

July 18, 2024 - Greater Greater Washington

Transit station with light rail train in Baltimore, Maryland

Light Rail It Is for Baltimore’s Red Line Project

The decision to go with light rail over bus rapid transit will be more expensive and take longer to complete, but proponents say it’s an investment in Baltimore’s economic future.

July 1, 2024 - Patch

Wide, busy street with red bus lane in downtown Baltimore, Maryland.

Maryland Partners with Smart Growth America on Road Safety

Three summer test projects will inform the state’s actions on Complete Streets policies.

June 25, 2024 - The Baltimore Banner

Bike lane protected by plastic delineators on street in downtown Baltimore, Maryland.

Maryland Issues New Complete Streets Policy

Projects on roadways maintained by the state DOT will have to comply with Complete Streets requirements as part of a broader effort to reduce traffic deaths in the state.

June 14, 2024 - The Baynet

Aerial view of Annapolis, Maryland with state capitol dome in foreground.

Maryland Passes New Vacancy Tax Law

The law allows local jurisdictions to set tax rates for vacant lots and properties to discourage speculation and stimulate development.

May 3, 2024 - Route Fifty

Aerial view of Annapolis, Maryland with state capitol dome in foreground.

Maryland Housing Laws Address Housing Shortage, Establish Renter Protections

An ambitious housing package establishes a Renters Bill of Rights and removes barriers to increased housing production.

April 29, 2024 - Office of Governor Wes Moore

Small white wooden church in rural setting.

Montgomery County Approves ‘Yes in God’s Backyard’ Zoning

A new zoning amendment facilitates housing construction on properties owned by faith-based institutions.

April 7, 2024 - Montgomery County Government

Buses and pedestrians on busy Baltimore street.

Maryland Could Cut Transit Funding, Citing Budget Gap

The governor says the state remains committed to its major transit projects, but may need to reduce service to meet a growing financial shortfall.

December 22, 2023 - Governing

Outdoor public restrooms with two silver doors and icons for men, women, wheelchair accessibility, and baby changing above doors.

Baltimore Considers Public Restroom Project

The city is starting to develop a plan for adding more public restrooms downtown, where available bathrooms are scarce and historic buildings are being damaged by public urination.

December 5, 2023 - The Baltimore Banner

Aerial view of Gaithersburg, Maryland with train tracks in foreground.

Montgomery County Moves to Eliminate Parking Mandates

The council unanimously supported a proposal to remove minimum parking requirements near for developments near transit.

December 1, 2023 - The Washington Post

Low shot of worker in orange pants using leaf blower on yellow leaves.

Report: Gas-Powered Lawn Tools Produce Emissions Comparable to Cars

A Maryland study recommends switching to electric tools to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet the state’s climate goals.

November 27, 2023 - Maryland Matters

Aerial view of downtown Baltimore, Maryland with freeways in foreground

Baltimore Could See a TOD Boom

Developers are calling on city leaders to support transit-oriented development amidst an influx of federal funding opportunities.

October 19, 2023 - Bisnow

Aerial view of white homes and buildings in Clarksburg, Maryland.

Opinion: After Rent Stabilization, More Action Needed to Make Housing Affordable

Montgomery County just passed a slew of regulatory and legislative changes aimed at improving affordable housing. One writer suggests several more.

September 28, 2023 - Greater Greater Washington

Pair of hands holding compost above pile of soil and food scraps.

EPA Awards $4 Million for Baltimore Composting Facility

The city wants to build the nation’s largest composting facility as part of its ‘zero waste’ efforts.

September 24, 2023 - Baltimore Sun

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.

Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

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