New Baltimore Co. development rules: Will they protect schools or crush affordable housing?

If you follow Baltimore County Council matters, you will hear a lot about something called an Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance, or APFO. Most counties have such an ordinance to make sure they have enough public services to accommodate new development; many counties also charge developers impact fees per square foot of development to pay for new infrastructure, particularly new schools. Later this month, the council will vote on Bill 31-24, which would amend the county’s ordinance to tighten rules designed to ease or prevent overcrowded school districts.