Wisdom from The Action Wisdom In Action

Open Space acquisitions will protect forest land

Board of Public Works also approves local parks,

From Staff Reports
Cumberland Times-News

CUMBERLAND — More than 300 acres in Western Maryland will be protected as a result of Program Open Space property acquisitions and a donation from The Nature Conservancy.

The Maryland Board of Public Works approved the purchase of 299 acres in Allegany and Garrett counties and accepted the nine-acre donation of wooded land with rock outcrops as an addition to Potomac State Forest in Garrett County.

“The Nature Conservancy is delighted, through this donation, to contribute to the state of Maryland’s efforts to protect our outdoor heritage here in Western Maryland,” said Donnelle Keech, Allegany forest project director for The Nature Conservancy of Maryland. “Giving people the firsthand opportunity to enjoy our Maryland forests now is one of the best ways to make sure our children have the same chance in the future.”

The Program Open Space purchase of 244 acres in the Savage River State Forest area southwest of Frostburg for $365,625 contains rare mountain peat land, unusual red spruce forest and sensitive wetlands with numerous state-listed threatened species, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

The Allegany County acquisition of 30 acres of forestland and trails for $75,000 is an addition to Green Ridge State Forest that will encompass the forest hiking trail named in honor of retired forest manager Francis Zumbrun, which has received a national trail designation.

“Today’s acquisitions are important as we move toward a sustainable future,” said Gov. Martin O’Malley.

“By approving the nearly 300 acres in Western Maryland and with the help of The Nature Conservancy, we are preserving vital forests and trees, which will continue to help clean our water, air and natural resources.”

The three-member Board of Public Works is comprised of O’Malley as chairman, Treasurer Nancy Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot.

The board also approved the following Program Open Space and Community Parks and Playgrounds projects:

• $15,000 to install handicapped-accessible playground equipment at the Barton Little League field and basketball court.

• $25,000 to install a handicapped-accessible playground at Barton Meadow Park.

• $45,000 to construct a concession building, rest room and storage building at the Frostburg Recreational Complex.

• $143,000 to construct a parking area at the Lonaconing Recreation Area and for renovations to the concession/rest room/storage building; upgrades to the baseball field; a new handicapped-accessible playground; and native tree plantings.

• $74,000 to replace an outdated concession stand, rest room/storage building and bleachers in Westernport for the Hot Stove League.

• $8,000 to install safety lighting next to the Grantsville Community Park walking trail and build a gazebo next to the town’s fishing pond and library.

• $88,000 to upgrade the concession stand, picnic area, lifeguard stands, ticket booth and playground equipment at Broadford Lake Recreation Area in Oakland.



If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Jul. 17, 2008
Governor Martin O’Malley announced yesterday that the Board of Public Works has approved more than $1.5 million in local Program Open Space (POS) funding for recreation projects at parks in Baltimore City and seven counties.
Among the projects that will receive funding is the Crystal Spring boardwalk trail that will be constructed in Mountain Lake Park. The $188,072 allocated will allow for expansion and handicapped accessibility of the trail.
Since 2007, Governor O'Malley and the BPW have preserved more than 2,556 acres of natural areas for public recreation and watershed and wildlife protection across Maryland. Since 1969, Program Open Space has provided funding for the preservation of more than 323,320 acres across the state. The money comes from a percentage of the real estate transfer tax and is used for local and state parks throughout Maryland.
Most Maryland residents live within 15 minutes of an open space or recreational area funded through Program Open Space.
The three-member Board of Public Works, chaired by Governor O’Malley, comprises state treasurer Nancy Kopp and state comptroller Peter Franchot. The BPW is authorized by the General Assembly to approve major construction and consultant contracts, equipment purchases, property transactions, and other procurement actions.

Jul. 3, 2008
Community Action Committee president Duane Yoder asked the county commissioners last week to transfer county-owned land to his agency for a workforce/affordable housing project.

The initiative is being planned in conjunction with the proposed McHenry Business and Technology Park, slated for the county's White Face Farm property near the airport. Yoder noted that the housing site would be a prime location for business park employees to live.

"We are asking for a contribution of approximately 50 acres," he said. "This is based on discussions with Economic Development (Garrett County) in terms of how much land they will need for the business park."

The original housing project has been scaled back because of the needs of the park and Federal Aviation Administration, Yoder said.

Community Action's vice president for development, Cherie Ross, presented the commissioners with a preliminary rendering of the site plan created by architect Doug Devlin.

Between 250 and 300 units would be constructed for people of various income levels. The actual number of units, however, would depend on the county's planned residential development stipulations (PRD) and the amount of "green spaces" that can be incorporated into the project.

"We're looking at and exploring various housing types," Devlin said. "We think modular is going to be a major player in terms of being able to provide affordable housing."

The units would be a mix of single-family and multi-family homes, duplexes, and, perhaps, "miniature" cottages, ranging from 450 to 1,000 square feet. Some of the residents would own their homes, while others would be renters.

The idea is to create a place with a traditional, neighborhood or village-type of feel. Devlin said, however, that a market study was needed to calibrate the best mix of housing types for the project.

Yoder also noted that the study was needed to see where the business park employees would fit into the housing arrangement.

The president added that one of the main features of the housing project is a parcel on the west side of the proposed site. That area is too steep to be developed, he said.

"We would ask that [parcel] also be added to the contribution by the county for the purpose of allowing us to use it to meet the PRD formula and requirements," Yoder said.

But ultimately, he said, the parcel would be put into some type of conservation district and never developed.

"Although, we would use it for recreational purposes, trails, and so on," Yoder said.

Other nearby green spaces that could be used in conjunction with the housing project are two ball fields that were established through Program Open Space. The POS sites, undeveloped parcel, business park, and other places in McHenry could all be connected with public walking trails, Devlin noted.

Yoder said the primarily targets for the homes would be the workforce and for-sale housing markets. Some of those dwellings would be sold/rented through a subsidy program, while others would be available at the market rate.

"Without those subsides, I don't think we can do it," he said about providing affordable housing for local workers. "With them, I think we can."

Under the subsidy program, homeowners and renters would have to meet certain income guidelines.

"I think we all agree that we want to promote home ownership, and, ideally, we'd like to do that through the market," said Director Jim Hinebaugh, Economic Development.

But, he noted, while local wages have increased somewhat in recent years, they have not kept up with inflation and increased housing costs. As a result, many cannot afford a home at market prices.

"I think Duane's proposal is one way to get there," Hinebaugh said about helping workers obtain affordable housing.

Yoder presented the commissioners with a workforce housing proposal, outlining ways to assure that the subsides go to the target population and that they are not misused. The proposal includes creating a land trust to provide sustainable affordable housing for the future and provisions for home sales.

If a home is sold under an appraised market, Yoder explained, a certain percentage of the appreciated value would go toward the land trust, based on the number of years of ownership.

He also told the commissioners that Community Action wants to encourage developers to be a part of the housing project. Yoder indicated that his agency did not have the time that is necessary to finish the initiative in short period of time. To speed up the project, developers could buy three or four lots and construct the homes following Community Action guidelines.

Yoder noted that Economic Development needed to know the basic boundary lines of the housing project so that it could move forward with the business park.

The commissioners discussed the issue further this week and approved the transfer of about 50 acres to Community Action for its project.

"The county is also considering transferring an additional 50-70 acres of property that has less/little development potential into a conservation easement," Hinebaugh said yesterday. "This would potentially increase the density and number of residential units in the Community Action residential development."

County administrator Monty Pagenhardt noted yesterday that the county will now benefit from real property tax revenue on the developed land that it most likely would not have received had the transfer not been approved.