Local Spotlight
by Joseph Griffiths, AICP, 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 six 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 And while the 2020 Census data will not be published until spring 2021, many communities have already started their update, visioning, and community engagement processes.
Planning started listing local comprehensive planning efforts in our September 2020 Planning Practice Monthly edition 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.
Annapolis Ahead, Anne Arundel County
HoCo By Design, Howard County
Middletown, 2020 Comprehensive Plan, Frederick County
Thrive Montgomery 2050 (Spotlighted in the July Planning Practice Monthly)
New Additions!
Sykesville 2030, Comprehensive Plan, Carroll County
Prince Frederick Town Center Master Plan and Zoning Update, Calvert County
Bowie-Mitchellville and Vicinity Master Plan, Prince George’s County
Adelphi Road-UMGC/UMD Purple Line Station Area Sector Plan, Prince George’s County
West Hyattsville-Queens Chapel Sector Plan, Prince George’s County
Maryland Planning Blog 