Diary of a Plan

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Abstract
During 1963 and 1964, The Plan for the Valleys-a seventy-square mile sector of largely undeveloped countryside northwest of Baltimore, Maryland—was prepared for the Green Spring and Worthington Valley (GSWV) Planning Council, Inc. The Plan used a new ecological planning approach that first indentified land that should be left in a natural state. Land suitable for limited development as well as land whose development did not significantly affect natural processes or the unique visual character of the Valleys was then examined to see whether or not it could meet metropolitan needs for development and local property owner's economic goals if a mechanism for equitable distribution of gains in land values could be devised. A program for action and implementation developed as an integral part of the Plan was adopted by the Valleys Council and has been in operation for the past six years. While key private actions have not yet been taken, it is still too early to predict failure of the Plan. The County, the Regional Planning Council, and the state of Maryland have all adopted the Plan “in principle.” To date, damaging zoning changes and inappropriate utility and highway layouts have been prevented, or cajoled, into conformance. But time is running out. Will the Valleys be the first successful large-scale example in America of humane development and conservation of the countryside by citizen action? Or will it be convincing evidence that only through state or federal intervention using the power of eminent domain will suburban sprawl be averted?

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