Smart Growth

Deny the permit To the editor: Should a 2,200 acre forest be converted to a city without proper review of the environmental impacts that it would create? Well, that may happen to one of Maryland's environmental gems after a federal agency last week issued a permit allowing a foreign-owned company to develop the pristine Chapman's Forest on the Potomac River. It has long been known that the Chapman's Forest is one of the most environmentally sensitive sites in the state - home to thousands of songbirds and filter of water entering on of the best bass fisheries around.

What does Maryland Gov. Parris Glendening's "smart growth" plan mean for Washington County? It's probably too early to tell now, but if local officials can quickly line up some quality projects, they might be able to define the bill's role in development across the state. The "smart growth" bill was Glendening's attempt to deal with what he's come to believe is unaffordable sprawl development. His predecessor, Gov. William D. Schaefer, tried to do much the same thing with the 2020 growth plan, but lawmakers rejected its attempt to give the state planners veto power over all local land-use decisions.

By GUY FLETCHER Staff Writer ANNAPOLIS - Of all the proposals being pushed this year by Gov. Parris N. Glendening, the one that could have the most impact on Washington County is his so-called smart growth plan, which could touch everyone from farmers to homeowners to industry. But whether the effects will be good or bad depends on who you ask. "There will be a significant beneficial impact," Hagerstown Mayor Steven T. Sager said. "The more I hear about it, the less I like it," said Del. J. Anita Stup, R-Frederick/Washington.