Law Commons^™

Land-Value Taxation As A Method Of Encouraging Growth In Baltimore, Michael Safko

University of Baltimore Journal of Land and Development

The events that occurred last May have left many residents of Baltimore wondering what can be done to rebuild their city better than it was before.1 One particular suggestion is the elimination of all current property taxes along with the implementation of a land-value tax (LVT).2 An LVT would tax property owners based on the unimproved land they own, rather than on the improvements and structures that have been built on the land.3 The argument follows that this method of taxation would incentivize property owners to develop their land, rather than leave it undeveloped so they can pay less in …

University Of Baltimore Journal Of Land And Development Volume 4 Number 2 (Spring 2015) Front Matter

University of Baltimore Journal of Land and Development

No abstract provided.

University Of Baltimore Journal Of Land And Development Volume 5 Number 1 (Fall 2015) Front Matter

University of Baltimore Journal of Land and Development

No abstract provided.

Comments: Private Investment: Trojan-Horse Or Shining Knight For America's Public Housing Stock, Andrew Balashov

University of Baltimore Journal of Land and Development

The numbers are staggering. The nation's largest public housing authorities ("HA's") are in a state of crisis as a result of massive budget shortfalls. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) estimates it would take roughly $26 billion to remedy the problem. To put this in perspective, in 2014 the New York City Public Housing Authority had a $77 million deficit and $18 billion worth of "unfunded capital improvements," - a euphemism for basic upgrades to building systems such as water, heat, air conditioning, and elevators. At present, many of these systems are woefully below acceptable livability standards. This …

Edited Transcript Of Symposium On Public-Private Partnerships, "Public-Private Partnerships: A Vehicle For Economic Development And Promotion Of The Rule Of Law"

University of Baltimore Journal of Land and Development

Speakers:

Scott Walchak
Preston Bryant
Martin Jacobson
Shyamala Shukla
Patrick Decorla-Souza
Jodie Misiak
John Smolen

The University of Baltimore Journal of Land and Development hosted a symposium on Public-Private Partnerships (P3s) and their impact on economic development and the rule of law. The main topics of the symposium were what is a P3, the key elements of P3 legislation both internationally and nationally, the historical development of P3s, and with the foregoing in mind what is the role for attorneys during the lifecycle of any P3? The following is an edited transcript of symposium and the discussion that followed.

Comments: Hydraulic Fracturing: Evaluating Fracking Regulations, Blake Lara

University of Baltimore Journal of Land and Development

The demand for nonrenewable energy resources has increased in nations around the world despite the reality that these remaining resources are both scarce, and increasingly difficult to acquire. In 2010 Earth's reserves held the equivalent of approximately 406 billion tons of natural gas and oi1. However, at yearly consumption rates, this amount would only serve the planet's energy needs for about fifty years. The rapid elimination of conventional sources for oil and gas has led to the utilization of alternative methods to access sources that were previously not worth drilling. In the United States, for example, there are several types …

Community Development Vs. Economic Development: Residential Segregation, Tax Credits, And The Lack Of Economic Development In Baltimore's Black Neighborhoods, Jennifer Nwachukwu

University of Baltimore Journal of Land and Development

In 1967, the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders penned one of the most famous statements about race in America: “Our nation is moving toward two societies, one black, one white— separate and unequal.”2 For the city of Baltimore, MD, that statement rings true even in 2013. Outsiders think of Baltimore through the lens of HBO’s The Wire. Those who are from Baltimore or live in the city likely would say that driving through Baltimore is like driving through two different cities—nice areas with shops, restaurants, and beautiful architecture; and “not so nice” areas with blocks of dilapidated buildings and …

The Failure Of Environmental International Law During Times Of War, Blake Lara

University of Baltimore Journal of Land and Development

Throughout history, war and armed conflict have maintained a continuous presence around the world. Though the reasons for war change, various nations emerge and subside, and populations alter, one of the constant elements of war is its degrading effect on the environment. In addition to indirect effects on the environment that ultimately result from war, nations have used the environment as both a weapon and target of war. For example, during the Peloponnesian War, the Spartans salted Athenian lands to make them infertile. In the Franco-Dutch War from 1672 to 1678, dikes and damns were destroyed in order to create …

Overcoming Land Use Localism: How Hud's New Fair Housing Regulation Can Push States To Eradicate Exclusionary Zoning, Thomas Silverstein

University of Baltimore Journal of Land and Development

Since 2009, the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and various housing and community development stakeholders have grappled with the question of what it means to affirmatively further fair housing (AFFH). In some respects, HUD’s publication of a final AFFH rule on July 16, 2015 was the culmination of that process, 2 but the rule did not resolve all outstanding questions. In particular, the one point that has been reiterated by a range of groups with often competing interests is that no one is entirely clear how the framework that HUD has developed will work for states.3 To …

A Controversy Fueled By Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (Mtbe), Anthony Cognetti

University of Baltimore Journal of Land and Development

Over the past few decades, Maryland has been faced with a controversial issue pertaining to methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) groundwater contamination.1 In 1979, MTBE was added to gasoline in an attempt to reduce smog-producing air pollutants.2 While its chemical properties have been scientifically proven to reduce air pollutants, this “environmentally friendly” chemical eventually became a topic of great debate as MTBE was leaking through underground storage tanks and contaminating groundwater sources.3 Many states thereafter filed lawsuits against gasoline refining companies for their role in adding MTBE, and most of them have received remarkably high settlements in return.4 The State …

Here To Stay Or A Flash In The Pan? How Zoning And Property Laws May Affect Airbnb In Baltimore And The Nation, Michael Schultes

University of Baltimore Journal of Land and Development

The advent of the Internet, smartphones, and social media has shrunk the world to the point where a person in Baltimore can connect with someone in Botswana with only the click of a finger. Whether it be a social media post or business e-mail, eight thousand miles can feel more like eight feet with how quickly we can connect and converse with people around the globe. The use of these information technology tools and inventions to store, retrieve, transmit, and manipulate data has transformed the way we learn, the way we communicate, and the way we do business. This newfound …