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Analysis of an Agricultural Land Zoning Program: Frederick County, Maryland

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 May 2017

Neal Bliven
Affiliation:
Agricultural and Research Economics, University of Maryland
Billy V. Lessley
Affiliation:
Agricultural and Research Economics, University of Maryland
Tim Phipps
Affiliation:
Agricultural and Research Economics, University of Maryland
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Abstract

Logit analysis is used to evaluate the performance of the zoning body in Frederick County, Maryland, in terms of its statutory policy objectives. Models are formulated to test the hypothesis that the rezoning process is consistent with the guidelines specified in the County Zoning Ordinance. An analysis of 59 requests for rezoning from agricultural to other uses indicates that, in general, both the Planning Commission staff and the County Commissioners conform to the Ordinance. At the Commissioners’ level, a development bias in favor of industrial use was found. The methodology may also be used to forecast the probability a particular rezoning request would be approved.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association 

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Footnotes

The authors wish to acknowledge the helpful comments of two anonymous reviewers and the editor. All remaining errors are, of course, the responsibility of the authors.

Scientific Article No. 6726, contribution No. A-3749 of the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station.

References

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