North County Preservation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting rural life in Northern Baltimore County.
We focus on gathering and distributing fact-based information to encourage responsible development and preservation, providing education on the history, and unique resources of the area, performing studies on land use trends, and solutions to conserve natural, agricultural, and scenic resources, and promoting long-term solutions to increase agricultural sustainability and to protect open space.
EVENTS
› New NCP Board Installed
To bring all ours readers up-to-date on NCP, we are excited to tell you of our new officer and board line-up. MORE >>
› Maryland New Farmers Program
The Maryland New Farmer Trainee Program is recruiting new farmer trainees for this year's program.
MORE >>
› Small Farm Programs If you are a small farm landowner with livestock, you may qualify for the Soil Conservation District's Small Farm Cost-Share Program.
› CZMP and Native Brook Trout in Baltimore County
Like canaries in a mine, suffering brook trout indicate that water quality has deteriorated and that the other species depending on the same habitat are also suffering. This report identifies the possible impact of zoning changes in the upcoming CZMP on brook trout. CZMP PAGE >>
CURRENT ISSUES
› Creameries
New zoning regulations were approved in April 2009 specifically allowing creameries in RC2 and some other agricultural zones. This issue originated from the Prigel's case on Long Green Road in which the community association and a neighbor are fighting the building of a creamery on a dairy farm.
Mike Pierce spoke before the Planning Board on behalf of NCP and, while voicing support for such agricultural value-added processes as a way to ensure the survival of farms in the North County, stressed the need for the legislation to be completely reviewed and modified to ensure that unintended consequences and further ambiguities are not created. Comments were provided to the board regarding the lack of specificity in the proposed bill for definitions, restrictions, and protection for both existing farms and other suitable uses of rural land.
The creamery is being built, with financial assistance from the county, while the legal battle continues. A Board of Appeals hearing was held on January 12, 2010 and we are awaiting the result.
› Master Plan
The rural portion of the 2010 Master Plan has been approved by the Planning Board and will now go to the County Council.
› Wind Turbines
Prompted by a request from the County Council, the Office of Planning prepared a report and proposed legislation to allow small wind turbines in the county. The Planning Board has held two hearings at which many persons spoke for and against stronger restrictions. The proposed legislation has now been approved by the Planning Board and will be passed to the County Council for action.
› NCP 2008 Annual Report Now Available
Our 2008 Annual Report highlights the accomplishments of the year. DOWNLOAD THE REPORT >>
› Agricultural Study Updates
North County Preservation announced the availability of its report: Rural Baltimore County Agricultural Profitability Study and Action Plan. If you are interested in getting involved, please email Cathy Tipper or call 410 218-3620. Visit our Ag Studies page for details. MORE INFO >>
› NCP's Special Report on CZMP and Baltimore County Schools
We have posted our report on our latest research:
"Research Report on School Overcrowding and CZMP Proves
Upzonings Will Make a Bad Situation Worse"
This report assesses the impact of North County CZMP Issues on school enrollment in relation to school capacity.