Results Statement: Carroll County will grow based on a plan with community support which retains the heritage, quality of life, and special places of the County.

We have seen extensive growth in population over the last two decades. The beautiful landscape, excellent schools, outstanding library system, diverse worship traditions, and community-oriented neighborhoods have made this a popular place to live. With growth come challenges to the overall quality of life. Housing, business development, traffic, and sprawl are concerns shared by people who live in Eldersburg/Sykesville, Mt. Airy / New Windsor, Union Bridge/Taneytown, Hampstead/Manchester and Westminster/Finksburg.

The community-supported vision for Carroll's future includes new development that helps to maintain the character and heritage of our community, more jobs that match the skills of people who live here, the protection of natural resources, and a transportation system that allows people to get from one place to another safely and efficiently.

Partnership Staff Contact:
Laurie Hegg
410-876-4818
LHegg@dhmh.state.md.us

Click on the organizational chart items to view the details of each.

Growth Leadership Team

The Resource Conservation Coalition serves simultaneously as the Partnership’s Leadership Team for the areas of Growth and Water. The two areas interact, as water supply affects the growth of the county and municipalities while growth affects water quality and other environmental areas.

The goal or results statement is adopted from the countywide Comprehensive Plan for Growth, called “Pathways to Carroll’s Future Landscape”. The process for this twenty year plan was started in 2005 by the Carroll County Department of Planning, with input from the community at all stages. The priorities which came from this process are listed in the Carroll Pathways section.

The Resource Conservation Coalition is tracking indicators of recycling, land preservation and county recreation trail miles. Carroll County ranks as one of the highest in the nation for number of acres in land preservation. The Coalition is focusing efforts on increasing the residential recycling rate in Carroll County. Many strides have been made recently in this area, and more can be done as residents become more dedicated to making small changes in recycling habits. The county Recycling program has an excellent new website with suggestions for individuals, homes, businesses and schools.

Carroll Pathways

“Pathways to Carroll’s Future Growth”, or Carroll Pathways, is the twenty- year plan developed by the Carroll County Department of Planning. The process began in 2005 with community meetings, conferences, surveys and online participation. The County has made an excellent effort to involve citizens at all stages of the process.

The priority areas which emerged from community outreach activities are:

• Preserve and foster agriculture
• Protect natural resources
• Make walkable communities
• Require better design and blend new development with County character
• Develop a strong business base
• Create alternative ways to get around, including walking
• Identify new areas to accommodate development
• Protect water quality and quantity

Many resources are available on the Pathways website including a Housing study, Buildable land inventory maps, Green Building, Walkable communities, Health and Community Design to name a few. Check out www.carrollpathways.org for regular updates.

Recycling Action Team

The Resource Conservation Coalition has been working with the County to help promote increased recycling. The coalition helps to educate the public by providing recycling and waste management information at community events and promotes recycling events sponsored by the County. Carroll Hospital Center and Carroll County Health Department are making improvements in recycling with the formation of Green teams. County buildings have stepped up recycling programs with single stream recycling.

Individuals, families, students and businesses are encouraged to find easy ways to reduce waste, which saves the County money by having less waste go to the landfills. The message to “reduce, re-use and recycle” is more important now than ever. Everyone can play a part in this long-term environmental issue. If everyone does a little, we can make a big impact.

Visit the Carroll County Recycle website for more information on local recycling.

Links

Carroll County Agricultural Land Preservation
Carroll County Department of Planning
Carroll County Department of Recreation and Parks
Carroll County Economic Development Data Center
Carroll Pathways
Carroll County Recycling
Home Grown in Carroll County (Farmers Markets)
My Green Guide Maryland
Single-Stream Recycling brochure

Page updated: 01/10