Potential New Role for Revenue Authority

A relatively obscure agency that oversees public parking lots and golf courses is being eyed again for a role in Baltimore County economic development efforts.

A county spokeswoman said the county will look at a new and larger role for Baltimore County Revenue Authority. The comments come less than a month after Donald Hutchinson, chairman of the authority's five-member board, hinted that a change might be in the works.

"The Revenue Authority has generally not been asked to make economic development decisions, in other words, make decisions based on what might happen in a community as a result of decisions that we make," Hutchinson said during a discussion about the possible sale of a metered parking lot in Parkville. "I am not sure that is going to continue in the future."

Hutchinson later said: "We may very well be asked to do more with reference to economic development decisions in the future. There's good reason to believe what ever engagement we're going to have in making economic development decisions in the future may very well begin in Parkville with this decision."

A county spokeswoman confirmed Tuesday that Daniel Gundersen will be looking at how the authority might be used to further economic development and revitalization projects.

"This is one of the issues and roles that the will be looking at," said Ellen Kolbler, a county spokeswoman.

One possible model could involve converting the authority to an agency similar to the Baltimore Development Corporation.

"That's a possibility — it's all going to be looked at," Kobler said. "We're not going to put words in (Gundersen's) mouth. We're going to let him get started and make his recommendations."

The authority, created by the General Assembly, is responsible for operating four public parking garages in Towson as well as a number of metered parking spaces and lots around the county. In 1995, the authority took over management of the county's public golf courses and now oversees operations at five facilities.

In recent years, the authority's role has change to including partnering with the county Department of Recreation and Parks to build and manage the Reisterstown Sportsplex — a combination ice rink and indoor soccer and lacrosse facility.

The authority is partnering with the county to provide $18 million to build a parking lot that will be part of the Towson Circle III project which will include a mix of theaters, restaurant, retail and office space.

The authority possesses two powers that could be useful in potential economic development projects—the ability to issue bonds and the power to take property through condemnation for public purposes.

Recent court decisions, such as the 2005 Supreme Court decision Kelo v. New London appear to have made it easier for governments to condemn for economic development.

The situation is a bit trickier here in Baltimore County where many remember the fight over Senate Bill 509. The bill, which meant to target redevelopment in three areas of Baltimore County, was throttled at the polls in a referendum vote in 2000.

Many believe the vote made such use of condemnation a third rail in county politics.

This is not the first time that officials have considered changing the authority's role.

In 2003, then-County Executive James T. Smith Jr. said he would use the authority for economic development projects.

Smith vowed not to use condemnation, saying the 2000 elections had settled the issue in the county. He promised a plan would be released in the fall of that year.

Don Mohler, a spokesman and chief of staff to County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, said the issue of condemnation has not come up in discussions about potential uses of the Revenue Authority.

Smith's plan never materialized but he was involved in securing support from the authority on the Towson Circle III project.

The authority became part of the 2010 county executive campaign when Republican Ken Holt said he would consider using the authority to finance needed water and sewer repairs and upgrades.

Condolences go out to the family of Gary Van Hoven who died Tuesday. Van Hoven was the former owner of Joan and Gary's Bagels and past president of the Pikesville Chamber of Commerce and a Republican activist known for his staunch support of Gov. Robert Ehrlich. Funeral servies will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Sol Levinson & Bros. Interment is private.

Happy birthday to Leslie Pittler, attorney and long-time member of the board of the Baltimore County Revenue Authority.

On the air: I'll be on WBAL 1090 am Thursday morning in the 7 a.m. hour talking about a proposal to impose a fee on the businesses whose throughout the county.