Southern Carroll County would be in for a major growth spurt, if some residents had their way.
“It makes sense because of the proximity to Interstate 70,” said George Hardinger, of Silver Run. “Growth in that area would enhance existing communities.”
Hardinger was one of roughly 50 residents who participated in a Map It Out workshop Tuesday at Winters Mill High School in Westminster.
The Carroll County Bureau of Comprehensive Planning organized the event to gather community feedback as it updates its comprehensive plan, which recommends future growth.
“The purpose of this exercise is to get the community thinking about the benefits and challenges of directing growth in different ways,” said Brenda Dinne, chief of comprehensive planning with the county.
“We know it?s coming. We are asking them, ?Where do you want it?? ”
After two years of developing the plan, a draft is expected in August 2007, she said.
Those in attendance were split into six groups and told to map out where residential growth in Carroll should be directed by placing red Legos on giant maps. Dinne?s bureau analyzed the feasibility of residents? growth strategies.
Residents didn?t single out South Carroll for growth; nearly everybody agreed Westminster should grow to provide jobs and houses for an increasingly commute-weary populace, while most wanted manageable growth in all existing municipalities, which would preserve Carroll?s rural character.
“I would like to see more growth in [Taneytown] to provide resources for schools and recreation,” said Kenyotta Brooks, of Taneytown.
The push to have a greater proportion of the growth in South Carroll was so strong that two of the six groups created an entirely new town between Sykesville and Mount Airy.
Focusing residential growth in the southern portion of the county “would allow us to attract workers from Howard and Montgomery counties,” said North Carroll resident Michael Cole.
Detailed survey
Carroll County staff members will compile information from the Map It Out workshop and feedback from community grassroots gatherings into a detailed survey available later this year online at www.carrollpathways.org.
