Planning Assistance in Action

Integrating Climate Change Adaptation into Local Planning: New Water Resources Element Guidance

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Planning Assistance in Action 

by Jason Dubow, CC-P, Manager, Resource Conservation and Management and Matthew Rowe, Assistant Director, Water and Science Administration, Maryland Department of Planning 

Note: this article was originally published in the Maryland Municipal League’s September/October online magazine, Municipal Maryland. 

Fig 1 – Photo of sign warning fisherman of rising waters.

To protect private property, public health, government infrastructure and local environmental resources, municipalities should take steps to study the expected impacts of climate change. Those steps should include identifying vulnerable areas, populations, and assets to develop strategies to avoid or lessen those impacts.

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Eastern Shore Planners Walk the Walk!

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Planning Assistance in Action 

by Kristen E. Humphrey, MLA, Local Assistance and Training Planner

Fig. 1 – Photo of walking team, the Holy Walkamolies, at 2022 Stigma Walk, with Planning staff Tracey Gordy, Stephanie Mullinix, Barbara Ewell and Keith Lackie (back row, 2nd-4th, from left to right), with friends and family.

Ahead of the month-long Walktober celebration, Maryland Department of Planning (Planning) staff from our Eastern Shore offices, Tracey Gordy, Keith Lackie, Stephanie Mullinix, and Barbara Ewell, participated in the Wicomico County Health Department’s inaugural Shatter the Stigma Walk on September 10, 2022.

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When Are Forest Fires Not a Disaster? When They Are Prescribed!

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Planning Assistance in Action

by Kristen E. Humphrey, MLA, Local Assistance and Training Planner

Some days it seems like the world itself is burning, with reports of wildfires mostly across the western states increasing in frequency and the fires themselves ever larger and more destructive.[1]

A deadly combination of drought, lightning strikes, human activity – both accidental and malicious – have made wildfires in California, Colorado, and Texas almost daily news. Even eastern states, and now parts of Europe and the UK, are experiencing a sharp increase in deadly and damaging fires in the face of unprecedented heat waves.

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Legislative Recap: 2022 Session Bills Impacting Planning

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Planning Assistance in Action 

Fig 1 – Aerial photo showing the Maryland State Capitol. Photo source: http://www.capitalcitiesusa.org.

The Maryland Department of Planning (Planning) strives to inform counties and municipalities of legislation that impacts local planning efforts, and as needed, develop guidance and technical assistance to help jurisdictional staff and citizen planners address any new requirements or access new resources.

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The Importance of Post Annexation Procedures

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Planning Assistance in Action 

Municipal and county planners understand Maryland code requirements prior to and during an annexation. Their submissions to the Maryland Department of Planning (Planning) make this clear. Local Government Article sections §4-401 through §4-416 outline procedures for annexation initiation, public notice and hearings, resolutions, and annexation plans.

The Local Government Article also describes areas that are eligible for annexation, which are those that are contiguous and adjoining to the municipality, won’t create an enclave or exclave, and are not within the boundaries of another municipality.

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