County officials received and update on the pending State Development Plan on December 7 at the 2017 MACo Winter Conference. The panel was called “Planning Ahead: Preparing for the New State Development Plan” and was moderated by Wicomico County Council Member Matthew Holloway. Maryland Special Secretary of Smart Growth Wendi Peters stated that the new … Continue reading State Development Plan Perspectives Offered at #MACoCon
A Maryland Planning Blog article (2017-10-25) announced the start of official outreach efforts for the new State Development Plan, now named “A Better Maryland.” A Better Maryland will replace the previous State Development Plan, PlanMaryland, that was recently repealed by Maryland Governor Lawrence “Larry” Hogan. The outreach will be conducted by the Maryland Department of … Continue reading Outreach Effort Announced for “A Better Maryland” State Development Plan
The Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission received an overview of the state’s anticipated process for developing a new State Development Plan to replace the recently repealed PlanMaryland at the Commission’s September 25, 2017, meeting in the Town of North Beach. As previously reported on Conduit Street, Governor Lawrence “Larry” Hogan formally repealed PlanMaryland through an executive … Continue reading State Development Plan Process Outlined For Sustainable Growth Commission
As previously reported on Conduit Street, former Maryland Secretary of Planning Richard Hall has criticized the recent decision by Governor Lawrence “Larry” Hogan to repeal PlanMaryland and create a new State Development Plan while the editorial board of the Baltimore Sun was willing to give the Governor “the benefit of the doubt.” National Center for Smart Growth … Continue reading Sun Op-Ed: State Development Plan Can Bring Smart Growth Into 21st Century
The Maryland Transportation Plan (MTP) is updated every five years through extensive consultation and coordination with state, regional and local government stakeholders and outreach to Maryland’s citizens. The perspective of transportation users has been critical in shaping the development of the Draft 2040 MTP: Connecting You to Life’s Opportunities. You can now view a copy of the Draft … Continue reading 2040 Transportation Plan – MDOT Wants Your Comments
A Howard County Times article (2018-07-27) reported that the Howard County Council has unanimously passed emergency legislation that would freeze development around Ellicott City for one-year. The legislation is in response to the two devastating floods that inundated the City’s Main Street area and will provide additional time to address the City’s flooding issues. County Executive Allan … Continue reading Howard County Council Passes 1-Year Development Moratorium Around Ellicott City
The Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) and the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) this week recertified Cecil County’s agricultural land preservation program through June 30, 2021. According to a press release: MDP and MALPF jointly administer the Program for the Certification of County Agricultural Land Preservation Programs (the “Certification Program”). Created by the Maryland … Continue reading State Recertifies Cecil County’s Agricultural Land Preservation Program
Learn about local government planning and zoning at the 2018 MACo Summer Conference. This course is required by State law if you are a planning board member, planning commissioner, or a Board of Appeals member. Planning Board, Planning Commissioner and Board of Appeals Members Education Course Description This FREE course satisfies a training requirement that … Continue reading Required Planning and Zoning Training Offered at #MACoCon
A Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) press release (2018-06-19) announced that DNR and Calvert County Parks and Recreation have created a new water trails guide that map the County’s waterways and water access sites. The guide was created in collaboration with the Calvert Nature Society, Jefferson Patterson Park and … Continue reading Calvert Water Trails Map Helps You Plan Your Next Big Boating Adventure
This post summarizes the status of various planning and zoning bills that MACo took a position on for the 2018 Regular Session. Forest Conservation Act – Technical Study and Program Review: As introduced, HB 766 / SB 610 would: expand the “priority retention area” definition (those areas where trees cannot be cut down unless specific … Continue reading 2018 End of Session Wrap-Up: Planning & Zoning
