#MACoCon Recap: The Role of Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances

At the MACo Winter Conference, attendees learned about the history and role of APFOs and identified areas for improvement.

Speakers: Chris Murphy, Engineer Administrator, Anne Arundel DPW; Lakisha Hull, Director, Prince George’s Department of Planning; Lee Currey, Director, Water and Science Administration, Maryland Department of the Environment; Moderator: The Honorable MC Keegan-Ayer, Frederick County Council

Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances (APFOs) help counties manage growth by linking new development to the capacity of schools, roads, water, sewer, and other services so infrastructure and taxpayers aren’t overwhelmed. They’ve also become controversial, with critics arguing that strict standards or long delays can be used to block housing, drive up costs, or push growth to neighboring areas, and may unintentionally reinforce inequities—leaving local leaders to balance infrastructure protection with housing supply and fairness concerns.

Incoming MACo President & Frederick County Council Person MC Keegan-Ayer led the conversation and moderated an informative Q&A at the “Keeping Pace with Growth: The Role of Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances” general session at the MACo Winter Conference.

Panelists included:

  • Chris Murphy, Engineer Administrator, Anne Arundel DPW
  • Lakisha Hull, Director, Prince George’s Department of Planning
  • Lee Currey, Director, Water and Science Administration, Maryland Department of the Environment

Lakisha Hull kicked off the panel by detailing the histor and basic ins and outs of APFOs.

Lee Currey described the state’s role in regulating county infrastructure, which largely influences how this policies are developed.

Chris Murphy gave a real on the ground perspective of managing infrastructure and the importance of not overwhelming local capacity.

More About MACo’s Winter Conference: