Carroll County Commissioners Support Finksburg as
Proposed Designated
Sustainable Community
Westminster, MD, Thursday, December 14,
2017 – The Carroll County Board of
Commissioners (BCC) voted 3-0 (Commissioner Rothschild abstaining) today to
adopt a resolution designating approximately 553 acres of the Finksburg
Priority Funding Area as a county Designated Sustainable Community. This is the
first step in the State of Maryland process to formally award the proposed
designation.
The Finksburg Sustainable Community workgroup coordinated
with the Carroll County Department of Planning to work with residents and
businesses affected by the designation. The Department of Planning and members
of the workgroup presented a briefing and recommendations to the BCC during
Open Session on December 5, 2017. The
recommendations include a 5-year action plan, developed by Finksburg citizens
and businesses, with outcomes in areas of environment, economic, transportation,
housing, quality of life and land use.
Sustainable Communities is a state designation
enabling property and business owners the opportunity to access a
revitalization toolbox of financing programs and tax credit incentives. The
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development's website describes
the Sustainable Communities Program as a “place-based designation offering a
comprehensive package of resources that support holistic strategies for community
development, revitalization and sustainability. Led by the department,
Sustainable Communities has provided local governments with a framework for
promoting environmentally, economically and socially responsible growth and
development in existing older communities.”
District 2 Commissioner Richard Weaver,
representing Finksburg, said, “This designation is a positive move for
Finksburg, and I am pleased the process is starting with a plan developed in
conjunction with the community.”
The next step is for the Department of
Planning to submit the full application to the State of Maryland by the January
31, 2018 deadline. Applications for Sustainable Communities designation are
reviewed by state inter-agency teams, which make recommendations to the
Secretary of the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. The recommendations must then be approved by
the Governor’s Smart Growth Subcabinet. Once approved, newly designated
Sustainable Communities retain their designation for a period of five years.
For additional information, contact:
Contact:Chris Winebrenner
410-386-2043
 View the Power Point Presentation by clicking here.
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