MPCA Corner

November 20, 2018

Maryland Department of Planning Thank You , Leave a comment

Thank You

The Maryland Planning Commissioners Association warmly thanks everyone who attended and contributed to its 35th annual conference in Gaithersburg on October 25 and 26, with a special appreciation for the hard work of the City of Gaithersburg, Mayor Jud Ashman, and the City’s exceptional staff! The MPCA has never felt so welcomed. The tour of new urbanist neighborhoods was fantastic, and Planning Director John Schlicting inspired attendees with his welcome during Thursday night’s reception. One of Gaithersburg’s own, Planning Commissioner Danny Winborne, was elected MPCA President. Well deserved it was, as Danny tirelessly contributes to his community, his alma mater (Morgan State), and to the MPCA. Congratulations Danny and to the other MPCA Officers: Bill Butts (Mt. Airy) Vice President; Roxanne Hemphill (Mt. Airy) Secretary; and Doug Wright (Hagerstown) Treasurer. More

The Maryland Planning Commissioners Association Conference is Coming to Gaithersburg this Fall

August 29, 2018

Maryland Department of Planning Resources and Tools , , Leave a comment

Resources and Tools

Being a Planning Commissioner or a member of a Board of Zoning Appeals is a tough job. Individuals dedicated to their communities, with full time jobs, are thrust into positions where they can make important and difficult decisions guiding the future of growth, economic development, land preservation, and transportation in Maryland. Where is one to go to seek training and guidance on this critical issue? A great place to start is the Planning Commissioner Training Course,  created following the Smart and Sustainable Growth Act of 2009. The course, available both online and in person at the Maryland Municipal League (MML), Maryland Association of Counties (MACo), and Maryland Planning Commissioners Association (MPCA) conferences (as well as on demand for interested jurisdictions), contains modules on Planning 101, Comprehensive Planning, and Smart Growth in Maryland.  It is an excellent first step, but what about the citizen planner who wants to take the next step? This is where the MPCA offers help. More

Article: Planning working with Statewide Planning Commissioners to Reinvent an Effective Association

July 18, 2017

Maryland Department of Planning Planning, Planning Assistance in Action , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

In a July 17th article in Maryland Matters, the Maryland Planning Commissioners Association’s (MPCA) Outreach Project was highlighted. This project is an effort to listen to stakeholders so that Maryland’s planning community can best meet the needs of local jurisdictions. The MPCA is a statewide, nonprofit educational organization of municipal, county and regional planning commissioners and boards of zoning appeals members.

MPCA members work to improve the quality of life for all Marylanders through planning, environmental protection, historic preservation, and growth management. More

The Maryland Planning Commissioners Association Wants to Hear from the Planning Community

May 31, 2017

Maryland Department of Planning Planning Assistance in Action , , , , Leave a comment

Planning Assistance in Action

The State of Maryland is famous for its forward-thinking planning and integrated community of professional and citizen planners. Dating back multiple decades, state leaders have worked tirelessly to preserve and build upon the Maryland we all cherish. One of the essential means to accomplish this is through outreach and education. Communities best understand the assets that they can build upon, the barriers that must be overcome, and the assistance needed to meet their goals and objectives. This is an essential reality of good planning practice, and one the Maryland Planning Commissioners Association (MPCA) is embracing with an outreach project in the Summer of 2017. More

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