Land use article (LUA)

Maryland Department of Planning Publishes HB 90 Webpage

/ Maryland Department of Planning / 1 Comment

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)

/ Maryland Department of Planning / 2 Comments

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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HB 90 (2021) Modifies Comprehensive Plan Housing Element Requirements: What Maryland Jurisdictions Need to Know

/ Maryland Department of Planning / 2 Comments

Resources and Tools 

by Joseph Griffiths, AICP, Local Assistance and Training Manager

In June 2020, HB 1045 (2019) required, for the first time, that all Maryland comprehensive plans include a housing element addressing affordable housing for low income and workforce households.[1]

In response to this requirement, the Maryland Department of Planning (Planning), in partnership with the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and a diverse housing stakeholder group, developed a Housing Element Models & Guidelines website.

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Join the Maryland Planning Commissioners Association (MPCA) for the Mastering the Master Plan Workshop on July 16

/ Maryland Department of Planning / 1 Comment

MPCA Corner

by Joe Griffiths, AICP, Local Assistance and Training Manager

With the anticipated release of the 2020 Census numbers later this year, many jurisdictions are engaged in local discussions and implementing workplans to update their comprehensive/master plans. Maryland’s Land Use Article (LUA) codifies specific requirements that all jurisdictions with planning and zoning authority must meet when completing and adopting a comprehensive plan. The requirements vary based on the type of jurisdiction (non-charter/charter counties and municipalities) but share common themes and processes.

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