The Maryland Department of Planning Bids Farewell to Secretary McCord 

Planning Assistance in Action

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

In late November, we bade farewell to the Maryland Department of Planning’s (Planning) Secretary, Robert (Rob) McCord, Esq., after seven years with the department. As Secretary, Rob provided comprehensive leadership of the department’s mission, objectives, and initiatives. Prior to becoming Secretary, he served as Planning’s Assistant Secretary of Operations and Deputy Secretary.  

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David Cotton, Appalachian Regional Commission Program Manager, Honored by Governor Hogan

Planning Assistance in Action

by Joseph Griffiths, AICP, Local Assistance and Training Manager

Image 1 – David Cotton of Planning (LC) shakes hands with Governor Hogan at awards ceremony (RC). Also shown Treasurer Dereck E. Davis (L) and Comptroller Francot (R).

At the December 7, 2022, Board of Public Works (BPW) meeting, Governor Hogan honored Maryland Department of Planning’s (Planning) David Cotton with a citation recognizing his diligent leadership of Maryland’s Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) program in 2022.

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Maryland’s 2022 Sustainable Growth Awards Recognize Leaders and Communities Advancing Sustainable Growth and Conservation in Maryland

Planning Assistance in Action

by David Buck, Director, Office of Communications, with Kristen E. Humphrey, MLA, Local Assistance and Training Planner

On November 17, 2022, the Maryland Department of Planning (Planning) presented Maryland Sustainable Growth awards for leadership, preservation, and community planning at its 10th annual awards ceremony. The awards recognize individuals, organizations, and programs that exemplify well-planned economic and community development initiatives throughout the state.

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2022 Maryland Statewide Brownfield Conference a Thorough Success!

Planning Assistance in Action

by Sylvia Moser, AICP, Resource conservation Planner and Kristen E. Humphrey, Local Assistance and Training Planner

Images 1-4 – Photos and renderings of the Packing House renovations, courtesy Jason Dubow.

The Maryland Department of Planning (Planning) would like to extend its sincerest thanks to the many participants, presenters, brownfields site tour leaders, and advisory committee members who made our 2022 brownfields conference a terrific success!

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

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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