Hometown Annapolis

It's a simple bill, but one that Gov. Martin O'Malley deems necessary: a law to require local governments to carry out the development plans that they write.

A controversial court case over a huge proposed development in Western Maryland called Terrapin Run led to a ruling that local governments do not have to base zoning decisions on their comprehensive development plans, which say where growth should occur.

Terrapin Run was in an area that Allegany County did not mark for future growth, but the county zoning board approved the development anyway. The Maryland Court of Appeals upheld the zoning board's decision last year.

So the O'Malley administration - to the delight of environmentalists - is proposing a change in state law to make it clear that cities and counties must follow their own plans.

It's one of several bills that Mr. O'Malley unveiled during an event at the State House yesterday. The bills are aimed at controlling sprawl that has been eating up Maryland's natural spaces and frustrating some residents and environmentalists.

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Question:  Will our commissioners heed this bill in March when they make their decision on the Chaney rezoning request in Hughesville?