In a November 12 press release the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) announced that it was launching a new online training course for local planning commissioners regarding the implementation of the Sustainable Growth and Agricultural Preservation Act of 2012 (the septic system legislation).  From the press release:

 The training covers the basics of four different growth tiers, which depict various levels of new residential development based on local land use plans and local sewerage plans. Tier I, for example, reflects areas served by public sewer, while Tier III areas are typically not planned for public sewer and not characterized by lands planned or zoned for resource protection.

The focus of the training course is on how planning commissions and boards need to review subdivision applications in Tier III areas, including such elements as the level of existing and needed public services and potential environmental impacts. The training also specifies how planning commissions and boards can meet the transparency intent of the law with public hearings and formal resolutions.

The septic system training module can be reviewed here.