Tales from the other side of the #URDL…

Does this look like land preservation or a common pattern of suburban development? If the BaltimoreCo #URDL was supposed to preserve this & similar areas from development, it has not been effective. What it does well is restrict entry to the most affluent & drive up land & housing costs elsewhere 1/

The public is the loser. We overpay for easements that (unlike purchase of parkland) dont give public access to the preserved land. And by locking up 2/3 of County land surrounding a major city, the static 1969 #URDL artificially inflates land & housing costs paid by everyone in County & region 3/3

Large landowners can get public tax $$ by “selling” preservation easements to state or county & still sell property already restricted by the #URDL for close to full unrestricted value. In meantime they can enjoy their seclusion/ exclusion & scenic vistas.
Who loses? 2/

An evaluation of working land and open space preservation programs in Maryland: are they paying too much? Farmland preservation programs compensate landowners who enroll for the value lost due to the the restrictions on development applied to their land. These restrictions in principle decrease the value ...

Who does the BaltimoreCo #URDL benefit & harm? Theres some evidence state & county land preservation has only small effect on lowering land prices. So not much help to real farmers seeking to buy land. Meanwhile landed gentry get a double (or triple) dip… 1/

www.academia.edu/23880452/An_...

3913 Briar Knoll Cir, Phoenix, MD 21131 - 4 beds/4.5 baths (BRIGHT MLS) For Sale: 4 beds, 4.5 baths ∙ 4818 sq. ft. ∙ 3913 Briar Knoll Cir, Phoenix, MD 21131 ∙ $1,299,000 ∙ MLS# MDBC2136826 ∙ Live authentically. A rare opportunity to delight in the elegance of...

Realtor pitches to top 10% are telling: “Live authentically in coveted Briar Knoll,” a subdivision of McMansions on septic permitted outside the BaltimoreCo #URDL but near jobs & suburban amenities. What of the other 90% paying inflated costs just to live “inauthentically”w/in URDL?

redf.in/uz7qDg

14209 Sawmill Ct, Phoenix, MD 21131 - 4 beds/5.5 baths (BRIGHT MLS) For Sale: 4 beds, 5.5 baths ∙ 4036 sq. ft. ∙ 14209 Sawmill Ct, Phoenix, MD 21131 ∙ $1,025,900 ∙ MLS# MDBC2118414 ∙ Nestled in Phoenix’s Millgate community, this meticulously maintai...

Weekly example of how the #BaltimoreCo #URDL preserves sprawl for the privileged, not the environment. Areas outside URDL growth boundary are riddled w/ “minor subdivisions” of large lots w/ million dollar homes like this. 4 bed/5.5 bath SF houses leaching nitrogen from septic tanks.
redf.in/lp7Pd7

3317 Whitesworth Rd, Phoenix, MD 21131 - 6 beds/5.5 baths (BRIGHT MLS) For Sale: 6 beds, 5.5 baths ∙ 5403 sq. ft. ∙ 3317 Whitesworth Rd, Phoenix, MD 21131 ∙ $1,050,000 ∙ MLS# MDBC2109734 ∙ * * Private 6-Bedroom Colonial Home in Jacksonville * * This stunning 6-bedr...

BaltCounty’s 1970 #URDL growth boundary isnt about enviro preservation. It is large lot exclusionary zoning that permits subdivisions of 6 BR/5BA McMansions to be built on 2+ acres & septic. Its about preserving area outside URDL as >90% white & affluent & excluding diverse mid-class.
redf.in/hqOyYS

If you can pay to play, its easy to sidestep Balt County’s artificial #URDL growth boundary. Want to build starter homes near Owings Mills w/ 30 min commute downtown by Metro or I-795? No way! Want to build a “prestgious” golf course w/ multi-million $$ McMansions & 5 baths on septic? No problem!

4009 Cloverland Dr, Phoenix, MD 21131 - 6 beds/5.5 baths (BRIGHT MLS) For Sale: 6 beds, 5.5 baths ∙ 10075 sq. ft. ∙ 4009 Cloverland Dr, Phoenix, MD 21131 ∙ $1,695,000 ∙ MLS# MDBC2108428 ∙ Aggressive New price!! This impressive all brick, and updated custom build is ...

At just $168/SF for 10k SF 6BR/5.5BA on 3.4 ac & septic someone should buy this & turn into 2,3 or 4 units affordable to regular folks. Oh, outside the #URDL so not allowed? But building this McMansion for one family is A-OK #BaltCo? Btw this n-hood is suburban NOT rural preservation.
redf.in/M62f39

11042 Greenspring Ave, Lutherville Timonium, MD 21093 - 6 beds/8 baths (BRIGHT MLS) For Sale: 6 beds, 8 baths ∙ 12661 sq. ft. ∙ 11042 Greenspring Ave, Lutherville Timonium, MD 21093 ∙ $8,500,000 ∙ MLS# MDBC2112598 ∙ Live authentically. A visionary estate perched in prime...

Another example that Maryland Smart Growth boundary (aka #BaltimoreCounty #URDL) doesnt apply to the wealthy. Have the money? You can build a 6 BR/BA monster on 8 acres & septic right near City, Beltway & I-83. Better yet, despite $8.5M list price, tax based on just $1.8M assessment!
redf.in/eo0LLw