New Decade Means New Comprehensive Plans

Local Spotlight

Many jurisdictions coordinate new comprehensive plans with the arrival of the decennial census. Census data is the foundation for comprehensive planning, providing a snapshot of Maryland communities, outlining growth trends, and distinguishing key demographic indicators.

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New Decade Means New Comprehensive Plans

Local Spotlight

Many jurisdictions coordinate new comprehensive plans with the arrival of the decennial census. Census data is the foundation for comprehensive planning, providing a snapshot of Maryland communities, outlining growth trends, and distinguishing key demographic indicators.

Continue reading

Maryland Department of Planning Publishes HB 90 Webpage

Resources and Tools

by Joseph Griffiths, AICP, Local Assistance and Training Manager

Figure 1 – Photo of affordable town home development in Garrett County. Courtesy, Duane Yoder.

As of January 1, 2023, HB 90 (2021) requires all housing elements for municipalities and non-charter counties to “affirmatively further fair housing” (AFFH). This adds to the requirements to plan for affordable housing that HB 1045 (2019) initiated in June 2020. 

The Maryland Department of Planning (Planning) recently published an HB 90 webpage to help jurisdictions incorporate the new fair housing requirements into their comprehensive plan housing elements.

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Resources to Help Jurisdictions Meet the Planning Requirements of HB 90 (2021)

Resources and Tools

by Joseph Griffiths, AICP, Local Assistance and Training Manager

Starting January 1, 2023, per Land Use Article §3-114 (d)(2) and as a result of 2021’s HB 90, all comprehensive plan housing elements adopted by non-charter counties and municipalities “shall include an assessment of fair housing to ensure the local jurisdiction is affirmatively furthering fair housing”.

The Maryland Department of Planning (Planning) introduced HB 90 to Planning Practice Monthly readers in our July 29, 2022 edition. That article summarizes the bill, defines affirmatively furthering fair housing (AAFH), and describes the coordination between Planning and the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to develop resources that will help jurisdictions meet the new requirements.

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New Decade Means New Comprehensive Plans

Local Spotlight

Many jurisdictions coordinate new comprehensive plans with the arrival of the decennial census. Census data is the foundation for comprehensive planning; providing a snapshot of Maryland communities, outlining growth trends, and distinguishing key demographic indicators.

Continue reading