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The Valleys Planning Council

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The Valleys Planning Council

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The Valleys Planning Council has been at the forefront of land use planning and land conservation in

10/21/2026

Early voting begins TOMORROW, October 22. Along with local, state, and federal races, Baltimore County's ballot includes 5 charter amendments and 9 bond issues. Three ballot issues are of particular interest to Valleys Planning Council. Our recommendations for those issues are:

A YES vote FOR 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀 on the ballot would change the County Charter so that 6 of the 9 members of the County Council would be required to approve changes to the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line (URDL) recommended by the Planning Board. The Charter currently calls for a simple majority (5 of the 9 members) to change the URDL.
A NO vote AGAINST 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀 would keep the Charter unchanged.
𝐕𝐏𝐂 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐚 𝐘𝐄𝐒 𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀. Preliminary findings of the study of the URDL that VPC is working on show the many economic, social, and environmental benefits the URDL has provided in its nearly 60 years of existence. Areas inside the URDL, and the County as a whole, would benefit greatly from redevelopment inside the URDL.

A YES vote FOR 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁 would create a Department of Agriculture to promote and support farming and agriculture, as well as encourage local food production and distribution to improve access to food for County residents.
A NO vote AGAINST 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁 would leave the County unchanged, with no Department of Agriculture.
𝐕𝐏𝐂 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐚 𝐘𝐄𝐒 𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁.. Centralizing information and help for the agricultural industry, which includes the equine industry, will help famers navigate regulations, grants, and permits, freeing them up to farm.

A YES vote FOR 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐊 would authorize the County to borrow $6,000,000 to fund agricultural and rural land preservation projects countywide.
A NO vote AGAINST 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐊 would not permit the County to borrow funds for land preservation.
𝐕𝐏𝐂 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐚 𝐘𝐄𝐒 𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐊.. With major cuts to land preservation at the state level, the County must have its own funds available to support land preservation efforts.

For our full guide to the election, including help identifying your new council district and your legislative district, and information about candidates running at all levels of government, please visit https://www.thevpc.org/latest-news/guide-to-candidates-and-questions-2026/ .

10/16/2026

If you vote in Baltimore County in this year's election (Election Day is November 3, early voting runs from October 22-October 29, and the last day to request a mail-in ballot is October 27), you'll see a number of questions that will be on the ballots of all County residents.

Here is some information to help you as you prepare to vote. While VPC does not endorse candidates, we are able to advocate for or against ballot measures.

A YES vote FOR 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀 on the ballot would change the County Charter so that 6 of the 9 members of the County Council would be required to approve changes to the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line (URDL) recommended by the Planning Board. The Charter currently calls for a simple majority (5 of the 9 members) to change the URDL.
A NO vote AGAINST 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀 would keep the Charter unchanged.

VPC recommends a YES vote FOR 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀. Preliminary findings of the study of the URDL that VPC is working on show the many economic, social, and environmental benefits the URDL has provided in its nearly 60 years of existence. Areas inside the URDL, and the County as a whole, would benefit greatly from redevelopment inside the URDL.

A YES vote FOR 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁 would create a Department of Agriculture to promote and support farming and agriculture, as well as encourage local food production and distribution to improve access to food for County residents.
A NO vote AGAINST 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁 would leave the County unchanged, with no Department of Agriculture.

VPC recommends a YES vote FOR 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁. Centralizing information and help for the agricultural industry, which includes the equine industry, will help famers navigate regulations, grants, and permits, freeing them up to farm.

A YES vote FOR 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐊 would authorize the County to borrow $6,000,000 to fund agricultural and rural land preservation projects countywide.
A NO vote AGAINST 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐊 would not permit the County to borrow funds for land preservation.

VPC recommends a YES vote FOR 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐊. With major cuts to land preservation at the state level, the County must have its own funds available to support land preservation efforts.

For much more information about the election, including help finding your new councilmanic district, candidates' answers to questions about their priorities, and information about state- and federal-level races, visit https://www.thevpc.org/latest-news/guide-to-candidates-and-questions-2026/ .

09/30/2026

Earlier this year we participated in one of three collaborative sessions to help the Friends of The Jones Falls create a strategic plan for the Jones Falls watershed. Participants worked together in breakout discussions and shared ideas about what they hope to see.

To review and discuss the findings from those sessions and to continue to create a shared vision of the future of the Jones Falls, there will be three meetings this fall, one for each section of the Jones Falls (upper, middle, lower).

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐉𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬, 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟔𝟗𝟓 𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐂𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲, 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐭 𝐈𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝟏𝟏𝟐𝟎𝟏 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝, 𝐎𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬, 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟏 𝐏𝐌 𝐭𝐨 𝟒 𝐏𝐌.

The meeting for the middle Jones Falls, from Northern Parkway to 695, will be held November 7 at Park School, 2425 Old Court Road in Baltimore, from 1 PM to 4 PM, while the meeting for the lower Jones Falls, from the Inner Harbor to Northern Parkway, will be held November 14th at The Gateway (MICA), 1601 West Mount Royal Avenue, Baltimore, from 1 PM to 4 PM.

You may attend any of the meetings but each focuses on just one section of the Jones Falls. It is free to participate but you must reserve a spot. Visit https://www.jonesfallswatershed.org/ for more information or https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/deciding-the-future-of-the-jones-falls-watershed-4873369/ to register.

09/29/2026

The BGE Tri-County Transmission Upgrade Project Bundle includes 5 projects in Harford, Baltimore, and Howard Counties. Constructing new 500kV lines, rebuilding existing lines, demolishing old structures and constructing new ones, installing fiber optic cables, and reinforcing and repairing foundations along existing rights-of-way are planned. Work is also planned to upgrade and expand substations.

BGE has scheduled some "Open House" meetings to learn more about the BGE project. At last week's meeting in Harford County - advertised to owners of properties located on the right-of-way, but not to the public at large - residents expressed concerns about new towers that will be more than 200 feet tall, double the height of existing towers. The FAA will require those towers to have lights on them to warn away air traffic.

To learn more about the Maryland Line to High Ridge project and the Lieb Road project, part or all of which are planned for Baltimore County, 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟖, 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟔:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝟖:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌, when the Hereford Volunteer Fire Company at 510 Monkton Road in Monkton (parking is at the back of the building) will host BGE. While it is unlikely that many questions will be answered or concerns addressed, it continues to be important to exercise your right to make your voice heard when it comes to energy transmission and power lines.

Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/bge-fall-open-house-tri-county-project-4866199/ to register for the Hereford event or other events in Savage and Columbia. Visit https://goodenergyinprogress.com/project/overview/ to learn more about the entire Tr-County Transmission Upgrade Project Bundle and the Brand Shores REtirement Mitigation project.

09/28/2026

We've had a number of requests for the audio of the presentation at our Annual Meeting. The slides contain a lot of information, and Charlie Neer of WRT did a marvelous job of explaining what was being shown. Please go to https://vimeo.com/1229674862?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci to see and hear the presentation.

09/24/2026

Nearly 30 years ago, residents of the Worthington Valley worked together to protect more than 250 acres of what had been a 2500-acre horse and cattle farm from development. Hundreds of friends and neighbors donated to create the equestrian venue and farm that is Shawan Downs .

Owned by The Land Preservation Trust Inc. , a local land trust, Shawan Downs was preserved by a conservation easement donated to The Manor Conservancy, another local land trust. On Saturday, Shawan Downs will host the 25th running of The Legacy Chase , a flagship event and fundraiser for Land Preservation Trust.

These pictures date back to the first Legacy Chase in 2001. Hope to see you at the races!

09/22/2026

Thanks to our friends at the Hanover Road Association for hosting a District 5 Candidate Forum next Wednesday, September 30, at 7:00 PM at St. John’s Church Western Run Parish, Parish Hall, 3738 Butler Road.

Come meet and hear from the candidates running for the new District 5 Baltimore County Council seat, including Nino Mangione (R), Shawn McIntosh (D), and Cory Shaffer (I). The Boring Community Association - Maryland, 21020 will provide light refreshments.

Not sure if you’re in District 5? Visit bit.ly/4d1audU for an interactive map.

09/16/2026

Thanks to the many VPC donors, community members, elected officials and candidates who attended our Annual Meeting last night. We invited all those currently representing Baltimore County at the state and local levels as well as candidates for elected office, including but not limited to current County Council members, , Senator Ben Brooks - 10th Legislative District, Senator Shelly Hettleman , Ruben Amaya , Senator Carl Jackson , Dana Stein , S. Cardin , , Karson Kamenetz , Rheagan Kindle , Shawn McIntosh of Shawn McIntosh for County Council, Sharonda Dillard-Huffman for Baltimore County Council District 8 , Delegate Michele Guyton, MD District 42B and Arkia Wade for Baltimore County Council, District 9 . Attendees heard a great presentation delivered by Charlie Neer of . VPC has been working with WRT, successor organization to the firm that created The Plan for the Valleys, to quantify the effects of the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line (URDL) on Baltimore County and its residents.

Charlie talked about some initial findings (spoiler alert: the URDL's benefits over its nearly 60-year existence are considerable!) as well as what implications the URDL has for development and redevelopment inside the URDL.

You can see the slides from the presentation at https://www.thevpc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/091526_AnnualVPCMeeting_Final-small-1.pdf . The full report will be complete and available by the end of the year.

09/02/2026

Please join us Tuesday, September 15, for Valleys Planning Council's annual meeting. You'll have the chance to meet elected officials and candidates, hear how VPC has been working with community members and state and local government to balance develop with preservation, and get a preview of a study of the value of the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line (URDL) to the County and its residents.

Please RSVP by September 13th to [email protected], or call us at 410.337.6877. Hope to see you there!

07/30/2026

Valleys Planning Council's Annual Meeting will be held September 15 at St. Thomas Church, 232 St. Thomas Lane, beginning at 6:00 pm with social time to meet elected officials. At 6:30, guest speaker Charlie Neer, a principal of WRT (it was founded by the landscape architects who wrote The Plan for the Valleys back in the 1960s) will present some initial findings of a study of the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line (URDL). VPC commissioned the study to quantify the environmental and economic impact of the URDL on Baltimore County over the last 60 years.

All are welcome! Please RSVP by September 13 via email to [email protected] or call (410) 337-6877.

Address

118 W Pennsylvania Avenue
Towson, MD
21204

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+14103376877

Website

http://www.thevpc.org/

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