The Next Planning Commission Hearing for the Middle Branch Master Plan will be: September 20, 2007 7:00 pm 417 E. Fayette Street, 8th Floor Note: A photo I.D. is required to enter the building Please mark your calendars! Click Here to View the Proposed Changes to the Middle Branch Master Plan Click here to view a draft of the Middle Branch Master Plan The Baltimore City Department of Planning, in partnership with the Baltimore Harbor Watershed Association, has launched a process to develop a Master Plan for the Middle Branch of the Patapsco River in Baltimore. The Middle Branch of the Patapsco River, Baltimore’s southern gateway, is a natural resource of significant unrealized potential. With six miles of shoreline and 416 acres of water area, it is several times larger than the City’s Inner Harbor. Through careful planning and development, this water body could become the City’s next great harbor community. The time is now for a comprehensive Master Plan process. Many changes are occurring in the Middle Branch. The National Aquarium is planning on moving its animal care facilities to the city garage site on Dickman Street and several large scale, private developments are being planned or built upon the shorelines, replacing the former industrial uses. Additionally, seemingly to match this flurry of private investment, environmental enhancement initiatives to restore the Middle Branch itself have been sponsored by Baltimore City and the United States Army Corps of Engineers. These events, along with several new opportunities, provide a unique chance to plan for the creation of an internationally recognized waterfront and habitat preserve. Our goal is to chart a future for a Middle Branch with sustainable, mixed-use development, revitalized wetlands and natural ecosystems, and new waterfront recreational activities. A forum was held on November 17, 2006 to present the issues and opportunities for the Middle Branch and its future. Speakers presented information on the history of the Middle Branch, development activities, environmental restoration activities, water quality and partnerships. The proposed Vision and Goals for the Middle Branch were also presented. Click here to view copies of the Forum Agenda and Presentations Five Committees have been created to develop recommendations for the Middle Branch Master Plan: Water Quality and Habitat Open Space and Recreation Design and Development Transportation Heritage and Tourism These Committees will use the preliminary Vision and Goals Statement as a launching point to review existing conditions and create strategies for implementing the goals of the plan. The specific responsibilities of each committee include: Review proposed Goals and Objectives statement, refine language, expand as needed. Obtain, review and select data and background information to be used for creating an implementation strategy. Develop strategies to achieve goals and objectives that includes: an implementation timetable proposed funding sources land use or policy recommendations recommendations for short term and long term maintenance issues Committees will meet a minimum of once per month through March, April and May, with additional meeting times scheduled as needed. Our goal is to complete the Master Plan in August, 2007. Committee Meeting Dates and Timeline for project Completion of Project For more information on the Middle Branch Master Plan, please contact: Beth Strommen, Project Manager at beth.strommen@baltimorecity.gov (410) 396-8360