Join Us for the 37th Annual Maryland Planning Commissioners Association Conference

MPCA Corner

The Maryland Planning Commissioners Association (MPCA) is holding its 37th annual conference this fall.  The MPCA board invites you to join us on the Maryland Department of Planning’s GoToWebinar platform on Monday, November 9 (exact times TBD). The theme for this year is Contingency Planning and Resilient Boards, and the agenda will be filled with sessions on timely topics that Maryland’s citizen planning boards face now and in the future. The MPCA believes citizen planners will play a central role in developing a more resilient future for Maryland.  

The MPCA is your statewide educational organization for citizen planners, made up of municipal, county, and regional planning commissioners and boards of zoning appeals members. The MPCA Board and its members strive to improve the quality of life for all Marylanders through planning, environmental protection, historic preservation, and growth. All members of a planning commission/board and/or board of appeals in Maryland counties and municipalities (incorporated cities, towns, and villages) that exercise planning authority are automatically members of the MPCA.  

While the MPCA focuses its efforts and resources on support for citizen planners, everyone dedicated to sustainable development and enhancing the quality of life and opportunities for every Marylander is invited to join us on November 9. The MPCA believes that vital partnerships facilitate the most effective citizen planning; those with professional panners, engaged stakeholders, and dedicated community members. 

The MPCA is still finalizing the 2020 conference agenda, however anticipated session topics will include: 

• Open Meetings Act Training 
• Housing Element Models & Guidelines 
• Virtual Planning During a Pandemic 
• Planning After the Pandemic 
• Maryland’s Adaptation Framework 
• Continuity Planning for Local Boards 

The MPCA is also partnering with the Maryland Department of Planning to develop a few sessions that will be eligible to earn AICP CM Credits.  Please visit the conference website to learn more. 

The conference will include ample opportunities for the sharing of best practices and lessons learned. 

The MPCA is also seeking conference sponsors. All sponsors will have direct access to conference offerings and be included in conference communications and materials. Even modest amounts go a very long way in helping the small, volunteer-based organization continue to expand its educational and assistance offerings to Maryland’s citizen planners year-round. Learn more about sponsorship opportunities in the link above.  

We hope to see you and hope your fellow board or commission can join us this November 9! 

If you have any questions, please contact Joe Griffiths at joseph.griffiths@maryland.gov or Sarah Lipkin-Sularz at sarah.lipkinsularz@maryland.gov.