The U.S. Census lists Maryland as the 5th densest state in the nation and projections figure that one million people will be added by the year 2035. Governor Martin O’Malley unveiled a master plan in April to curb the suburban sprawl that comes with such population explosion, called Plan Maryland. The state proposes to reward communities that embrace efficient and responsible growth while withholding funding from those that don’t control development. Local leaders cried foul, complaining that the plan is akin to a state take-over of what should be local domain.
