Local Spotlight 

by Joe Griffiths, AICP, Local Assistance and Training Planner

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 And while the 2020 Census data will not be published until later in 2021, many communities have already started their update, visioning, and community engagement processes.   

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