Planning and Zoning Archives

Baltimore County Weighs Critical Area Protections for Energy Storage Facilities

Baltimore County is considering new landscaping requirements for energy storage facilities near the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area. The proposal would add another local standard as counties continue siting large energy projects. Bill 106-26 would require an energy storage device located adjacent to or within the Critical Area to include a berm with dense landscaping tall enough at planting to screen the building from view. Baltimore County already requires landscaping buffers when data centers or energy…

Comments Off

October 15, 2026

County News / Housing and Community Development / Information Technology / Planning and Zoning

Baltimore County Launches Toolkit To Support Community-Led Revitalization

Baltimore County has launched a new resource to help community organizations navigate planning, permitting, and other steps involved in improving public spaces and strengthening neighborhoods. The Baltimore County Department of Planning has introduced a new Placemaking Toolkit designed to help residents, neighborhood associations, Main Street groups, and other community organizations turn ideas for public spaces into projects. The toolkit provides step-by-step guidance on navigating permitting requirements, selecting project sites, engaging residents, and hiring artists or…

Comments Off

October 8, 2026

County Budgets / County News / Economic Development / Finance and Procurement / Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning

The Briefing Room: The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act

For much of this series, the housing conversation has centered on what states, counties, developers, and lenders can do to make projects work. But this summer, the federal government reentered the debate in a significant way. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the know!

Comments Off

October 6, 2026

Agriculture / County News / Environment / Planning and Zoning

Washington County Adds 167 Acres to More Than 44,000 Acres of Preserved Land

The latest agricultural easement builds on the County's broader strategy to permanently protect farmland and open space. Washington County has permanently preserved another 167.56 acres of agricultural land, bringing the total to more than 44,000 acres of permanently protected land across the county. The long-established dairy farm on Broadfording Road in Clear Spring was protected through an easement under the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF), funded by both Washington County and the state program.…

Comments Off

October 1, 2026

News You Can Use / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works

Transit-Oriented Development Grant/Loan Applications Now Open

The Maryland Department of Transportation has opened applications for support for local development projects in areas around transit stations -- advancing development, housing, and commercial opportunities in these targeted zones. Local government and their development partners may apply. The Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Capital Grant and Revolving Loan Fund (“TOD Fund”) provides financial assistance to local jurisdictions and development partners to promote the equitable and inclusive development of transit-oriented development at State-designated TOD sites. Starting in…

Comments Off

October 1, 2026

County News / Energy / News You Can Use / Planning and Zoning

Governor Moore Signs Executive Order Establishing Data Center Review Framework

Governor Wes Moore signed an executive order establishing a new State review process for large data center projects, with local approvals, ratepayer protections, infrastructure impacts, and community engagement built into the framework. The order applies to data centers that require at least 25 megawatts of power at peak, including expansions that add 25 megawatts, as well as projects that qualify as large load customers under State law. It takes effect when a covered project seeks…

Comments Off

September 23, 2026

Energy / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works

New Study Flags 2030 Reliability Risks for PJM

A new study warns that surging data center demand could leave PJM without enough power to reliably meet electricity needs by 2030. A new study commissioned by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission warns that rapid electricity demand growth, driven largely by data center development, could push the PJM Interconnection outside its reliability standard by 2030. Under the study’s reference case, which uses PJM’s 2026 load forecast, the projected risk of power shortages would be nearly…

Comments Off

September 22, 2026

Economic Development / News You Can Use / Planning and Zoning

Nominations Closing Soon for 2027 Sustainable Growth Awards

Maryland communities have until September 30 to nominate local leaders, projects, and policies for statewide recognition through the 2027 Sustainable Growth Awards. The Maryland Department of Planning and Maryland Sustainable Growth Subcabinet are accepting nominations recognizing efforts that advance sustainable growth at the local level. Awards are presented across three categories: Leadership, Project, and Policy. Eligible nominations must highlight local achievements completed, or expected to be completed, between January 2025 and December 2026. State-level programs…

Comments Off

September 16, 2026

Housing and Community Development / News You Can Use / Planning and Zoning

Webinar To Explore How Local Governments Can Turn Comprehensive Plans Into Zoning Action

A comprehensive plan may set a community’s long-term vision, but putting it into practice often comes down to local zoning. An upcoming Maryland Department of Planning webinar will use Chestertown as a case study to explore how local governments can better align zoning regulations with comprehensive planning goals. Implementing Comprehensive Plans Through Zoning: How Local Governments Are Advancing Sustainable Land Use will be held virtually on Wednesday, September 23, from noon to 1:30 p.m. The…

Comments Off

September 16, 2026

Economic Development / Energy / Environment / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works

Deep Dive: A Primer on Data Centers

One of the fastest-growing policy issues facing county governments is the rapid expansion of the data center industry. Historically, data centers attracted relatively limited public attention and were often viewed as low-impact components of the broader digital infrastructure. However, as facilities have grown in size, increased in number, and expanded beyond traditional industrial areas, their impacts have become more visible to nearby communities and policymakers. At the same time, the General Assembly has placed increasing…

Comments Off

September 16, 2026