The following is a legislative update from Councilman David Marks.

There are about 640 farms in Baltimore County that include 70,400 acres of land. Unfortunately, these properties—many of which have been farmed by generations of Baltimore Countians—are threatened by development, pollution, and industrial uses such as commercial solar facilities.

I am sponsoring legislation that aim to protect important elements of our rural heritage.

Most notably, I am the lead sponsor of a bill that would change the charter to require a supermajority of the County Council to adjust the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line, the boundary between urbanized communities and Baltimore County’s farmland and rural villages. Right now, it requires a simple majority to change the URDL and open up areas for public water (and in many cases, more development). My legislation would strengthen that requirement to require votes from six of the nine Councilmembers after 2026, as well as the support of the Councilmember where the change is proposed.

Our legislation is endorsed by the Valleys Planning Council, the Preservation Alliance of Baltimore County, and the Sparks-Glencoe Community Council. Voters would ultimately have the final say by approving or rejecting the change on the 2026 ballot.

I am also sponsoring legislation to create a distance requirement between solar facilities. In Kingsville, at least five solar farms have been approved or proposed, many along the Pfeffers Road corridor. My bill would create a distance requirement so these facilities are no loner clustered in one area. Current law allows for ten solar facilities per Council district.

I am also working with the Gunpowder Tree Farm to support their operations, but also adopt standards that would better protect the surrounding community. It is critical that we support our family-owned farms, many of which could sell for residential development or industrial solar facilities, despite limits on public water.

If you support these initiatives, please contact the County Council at [email protected].

[Photo: Councilman Marks and Rob Weyforth at Hawks Hollow Farm in Kingsville]