Local Spotlight
by Joseph Griffiths, Local Assistance and Training Manager
Many jurisdictions coordinate the development of new comprehensive plans with the arrival of decennial census data. Census data is a foundation of comprehensive planning; providing a snapshot of Maryland communities, outlining growth trends, and distinguishing key demographic indicators.
In 2013, House Bill 409 increased the review period of a local jurisdiction’s comprehensive plan cycle to 10-years, instead of 6-years. To learn more about the 10-year cycle and when your jurisdiction’s review is due, please visit the Maryland Department of Planning’s (Planning) Comprehensive Plan 10-Year Review Cycle webpage.
As the lead agency for both the Maryland Census 2020 efforts and the 60-day review of comprehensive plans and their amendments, Planning is steeped in this topic. And while the 2020 Census data will not be published until the spring of next year, many communities have already started their update, visioning, and community engagement processes.
Planning has listed and linked a few below, and will continue to track and publish website links in Planning Practice Monthly as we become aware of local efforts. If you know of a comprehensive planning process currently underway, please contact Joe Griffiths, Local Assistance and Training Manager, at joseph.griffiths@maryland.gov, to add it to this list.
Middletown, 2020 Comprehensive Plan
*Spotlighted in the July eidtion of Planning Practice Monthly
Maryland Planning Blog 