Smart Growth plan stresses improvement not uniformity

It is gratifying to see The Sun broadly endorse most of what we are doing with our Smart Growth and Neigborhood Conservation program ("What Smart Growth is . . . and is not," June 9).

As the paper correctly portrays it, "Smart Growth is the government weighing the long-term impact of investing in roads, schools and infrastructure." It's also about nourishing older neighborhoods, preserving farmland, making communities safer and improving education.

But I would quibble with two points in the editorial, starting with the sub-headline that read: "Land-use philosophy elicits great debate, and scant agreement."

While the first half of that statement is true, the second is wrong. In Maryland and all over the country, citizens, elected officials, environmentalists, developers and others are forging new coalitions in support of Smart Growth.

Sure, they don't agree on everything, but there is more agreement on the need for Smart Growth and on many of the specifics than the headline implies.

Second, the editorial incorrectly said that Gov. Parris N. Glendening has proposed a "one-size-fits-all" building code.

In his May 26 speech to the Smart Codes conference in Baltimore, the governor said: "We need to develop guidelines that permit more flexibility in design standards and encourage more attractive, liveable communities. We have to remember that one size does not fit all."

The Sun's Joel McCord correctly reported that the governor did not plan to "impose" a building code on anyone, although he may offer incentives to encourage local governments to adopt or adapt a model statewide Smart Growth code ("Glendening asked builders for Smart Growth code," May 27).

That would be consistent with our overall Smart Growth approach.

John W. Frece, Annapolis

The writer is the governor's special assistant for Smart Growth.

Smart Growth is fine, but strains, needs remain

The Sun's editorial "What Smart Growth is . . . and is not" (June 9) needs a bit of rebuttal.

The National Association of Home Builders does not consider sensitive development "meaningless." As participants in the effort to revitalize America's cities and fringe suburbs, home builders admit that past growth patterns may not be best for the future.

But important issues affecting the shelter industry are not easily solved, particularly here in Maryland.

More than 1 million residents are expected to move to the state in the next 20 years. At least 25,000 homes will need to be built each year to meet this demand.

Crime, poor schools, high taxes and poor services continue to drive people out of cities. And the NIMBY ("Not In My Back Yard") mentality is making logical urban and suburban development difficult.

Credible studies have shown that more than 80 percent of Americans would prefer a single family house with a yard in the suburbs to a townhouse in the city.

As the editorial suggested, we must come together to craft solutions.

But, to affect the direction of growth, consumer demand for housing has to be created where we have agreed growth should occur.

People will continue to live where they want, and builders will be there to deliver what they want, as regulated by each local jurisdiction.

Martin Azola, Baltimore

The writer is president of the Home Builders Association of Maryland.

Keep up the fight to preserve green space

It seems that developers will not be satisfied until every tree is felled and every inch of grass is paved. ("As bulldozers loom, neighborhood unites," June 12.)

We are watching the Earth's "lungs" be destroyed little by little.

To the communities of Poplar Hill and Lake Falls South I say, keep up the fight against Struever Bros., Eccles and Rouse Inc.

Anne Heaton, Baltimore

Shelter's expansion is good; location should be a secret

I was glad to read that the House of Ruth is expanding ("Shelter for battered women to dedicate expanded services," June 7). The need for its services is greater than the need for new stadiums, subways and hotels.

I was puzzled and concerned, however, by the fact that The Sun included the shelter's address in the article. I thought the location was kept secret to avoid visits from angry husbands and boyfriends.

Rick Dorr, Baltimore

United Way's funds should stay within its ambit

I find it extremely distressing that United Way funds are going to outside organizations ("United Way tells many to expect less," June 3). The United Way was established to bring under one umbrella many agencies that serve the poor and the community's general health.

It is not intended as a fund-raiser for private schools and other organizations that have their own fund-raisers and campaigns. As a graduate of one of Baltimore's private schools, I am glad to contribute to that institution, but that shouldn't go through the United Way.

When these designated "outside" donations are included in the United Way's totals, the public is given a false impression of what is actually raised for the needy, elderly and poor of Central Maryland.

It is disgraceful that, in a booming economy, the United Way of Central Maryland is reducing payments to its agencies and affiliates.

David G. Mock, Baltimore

United Way's cutbacks will hurt the needy

The United Way of Central Maryland's recent decision to cut funding to the nonprofit health agencies of the Community Health Charities of Maryland diminishes Maryland's quality of life.

We need the services that these agencies provide. Unfortunately, their funding was cut by United Way because they were not specifically designated by enough donors during last year's United Way campaign.

This hurts those who need Community Health Charities of Maryland the most.

Perhaps we should remember the many ways these health agencies help us, our families, our friends and our co-workers. Maybe then enough people will remember to designate them in future United Way campaigns and their funding won't be cut.

Mel Tansill, Catonsville

The writer is a member of the board of directors of the Community Health Charities of Maryland.

Stadium site could provide city needed shopping mecca

Where are our city planners and forward thinkers as decisions are being made about the use of Memorial Stadium? ("Memorial Stadium's last Memorial Day," May 30)

Despite our city's renaissance, we haven't conquered our retail shopping woes. We have shops at the Inner Harbor and in Canton, but where are the ones we really need and want?

Our shopping habits have changed and I see the stadium's space as a grand opportunity.

With the space available from the stadium and the former Eastern High site, it isn't hard to envision a retail mecca with, dare I say, ample free parking.

With a large, high-quality home improvement center and other megastores on that site, residents might not have to leave the city to spend their money

Seth Stevens, Baltimore

Review captured film, motives of its foes

Kudos to David Zurawik for his very intelligent review of Deborah Chasnoff's film, "It's Elementary: Talking About Gay Issues in School," ("A lesson in culture on PBS," June 7).

Mr. Zurawik did a superb job not only in explaining the film, but also the overreaction of the Christian right -- who would have parents believe that we, the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, are merely a bunch of sexual opportunists looking for new recruits.

Mr. Zurawik dispels such myths and shows that what groups like the Family Research Council really fear is that correct information will reach our children.

David M. Baker, Baltimore

Pub Date: 6/16/99