Local Spotlight  

by Joe 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. Planning began 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.  

Recently Adopted! 

Anne Arundel Plan2040, Anne Arundel County 

Rockville 2040, Montgomery County   

Under Development: 

Adelphi Road-UMGC/UMD Purple Line Station Area Sector Plan, Prince George’s County  

Annapolis Ahead, Anne Arundel County  

Bowie-Mitchellville and Vicinity Master Plan, Prince George’s County  

Emmitsburg Comprehensive Plan Amendment, Frederick County  

Gaithersburg Draft Lakeforest Mall Master Plan, Montgomery County  

Garrett County Comprehensive Plan 2021, Garrett County  

HoCo By Design, Howard County  

Town of Indian Head, Comprehensive Plan 2020, Charles County 

Middletown, 2020 Comprehensive Plan, Frederick County  

Prince Frederick Town Center Master Plan and Zoning Updates, Calvert County  

Queen Anne’s County Comprehensive Plan Update 2021, Queen Anne’s County  

The Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape Management Plan, Frederick County 

Thrive Montgomery 2050 , Montgomery County 

Town of Walkersville Comprehensive Plan Update 2020-21, Frederick County 

Washington County Comprehensive Plan 2040, Washington County  

Town of Washington Grove 2021 Comprehensive Plan, Montgomery County 

West Hyattsville-Queens Chapel Sector Plan, Prince George’s County 

New Additions! 

Dorchester County 2019 Comprehensive Plan, Dorchester County 

Town of Galena’s Comprehensive Plan 2031, Kent County 

Plan Chesapeake Beach, Calvert County 

visionHagerstown 2035 – Comprehensive Plan Update, Washington County 

If you are aware of a comprehensive planning process currently underway, please contact Joe Griffiths, Local Assistance and Training Manager, at joseph.griffiths@maryland.gov and we will be sure to add it to this list.