BGE Substation in Piney Run Rural Legacy Area
The VPC board has created a new special project focused on the proposed electric substation proposed by BGE. The facility is planned on the former Camp Holiday property within the Piney Run Rural Legacy Area. Click here for Country Crier article

CZMP 2012
Now is the time to start planning for the upcoming Comprehensive Zoning Map Process. Issues for the next cycle (2012) must be filed in the early fall of this year (2011). If you  have a concern about a particular property and think it may need a zoning change, please send your suggestions to the VPC office.

Easement Update
Figures are in on easement activity in Baltimore County for 2010.

  • 295.06 acres were preserved through donated easements
  • 301.479 acres were preserved through Rural Legacy easements
  • 283.86 acres were preserved through easements purchased by Baltimore County
  • Grand total of easement acreage for the year: 880.4

Rainbow Hall Special Hearing Result
The zoning commissioner issued his opinion on the special hearing to determine if current uses at the facility are permitted under county zoning and regulations. He found that the use of the building for apartment rentals is not allowed.

Rural Bridges
Two areas outside the VPC territory are wrestling with concerns over planned bridge improvements. The county plans to replace four bridges on Gore’s Mill Road north of Prettyboy, and they also plan to replace a one-lane bridge on Hess Road at the border with Harford County. In both cases, local residents and community organizations are concerned about widening the approachways or the bridge itself. Both groups hope to work with the Department of Public Works to maintain the traffic calming features of the existing bridges as well as their rural character.

VPC Film Documentary
VPC is approaching its 50th anniversary, which will occur in 2012. We have hired local filmmaker Allen Moore to produce a documentary about the VPC, its leaders, and its work and influence on land use planning and policy in Baltimore County. If you have ideas to contribute to the film, please email them to the VPC office. Plans for a celebration in 2012 are in the works. (Sponsors are needed for the film and the 50th anniversary event.)