Planning Practice Monthly, May 2022 Edition

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Friday, May 27, 2022

In This Issue

Planning Assistance in Action

Resources and Tools

Planning in Progress

Local Spotlight

From our Partner Agencies

In Case you Missed It!

MPCA Corner

Conferences, Webinars, Training, and Funding

Planning Assistance in Action

Legislative Recap: 2022 Session Bills Impacting Planning

Annapolis

The Maryland Department of Planning (Planning) strives to inform counties and municipalities of legislation that impacts local planning efforts, and as needed, develop guidance and technical assistance to help jurisdictional staff and citizen planners address any new requirements or access new resources.

Planning did this with our Housing Element Models & Guidelines (2019 HB 1045), Nuisance Flood Plan Development Guidance (2019 HB 1427), Managing Maryland’s Growth: Transitioning to the 10-Year Review Cycle (2013 HB 409), and Sustainable Growth & Agricultural Preservation Act of 2012 Implementation (2012 SB 236). Planning will continue to develop the tools to help jurisdictions address legislative challenges and leverage legislative incentives and funding.

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Resources and Tools

Housing Needs Assessment and 10-Year Strategic Plan – Part V

Housing Needs Assessment

In the January edition of Planning Practice Monthly, we introduced the Maryland Housing Needs Assessment & 10-Year Strategic Plan (Needs Assessment) and how it can be of value to Maryland jurisdictions in developing the required Housing Elements in their comprehensive plans. In February we summarized Section 2 of the report, dealing with proposed statewide priorities and in March we covered Section 3, which addressed the state of housing in Maryland. Last month, we took a look at Section 4, Needs by region & core actions to address them.

This month, we are reviewing Section 5, Maryland Housing Toolbox and finally, this summer we will launch a series of “how-to” articles for local governments seeking to incorporate the information and recommendations found in the Needs Assessment into the required housing element section of their comprehensive plans, as specified in HB 1045 (2019).

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New! Maryland Coast Smart Map Layer Now Available: Climate Ready Action Boundary (CRAB)

CS CRAB

The Maryland Department of Planning (Planning) recently updated its Maryland Growth & Conservation Map to include Maryland Coast Smart - Climate Ready Action Boundary (CS-CRAB) information. This GIS overlay to the Growth and Conservation interactive map shows local and state targeted growth and conservation areas for coordinated planning, management, and resource allocation. The purpose of displaying these areas is to identify where and how local and state government and the private sector can work together to achieve common goals. 

One of the primary applications of the Growth and Conservation Map is to improve coordination at the state and local level, specifically in the planning and development of new state capital projects.

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Planning in Progress

We will continue to provide updates about these exciting efforts as they develop in upcoming issues.

Governor Hogan Kicks Off Development of Bainbridge Logistics Center

Bainbridge

On April 28, Governor Larry Hogan participated in a ceremonial flag raising to signal the reactivation of the site of the former Bainbridge Naval Training Center in Cecil County. The ceremony celebrated the beginning of development activities for 3.7 million square feet of logistics and distribution space across 440 acres.

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Nominations Now Open for the 2022 Maryland Sustainable Growth Awards

Sustainable Growth Awards

The Maryland Sustainable Growth Awards celebrate significant achievements by individuals, businesses, organizations, and local governments to realize the twelve planning visions adopted by the Maryland General Assembly. The annual awards promote exemplary work that represents or inspires collaboration, innovation, conservation, community impact and quality of life.

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Local Spotlight

Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) Planning in Westminster, Carroll County: An Interview with MAGIC

Westminster CAV

Planning Practice Monthly has been reporting for some time on the advent of connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technologies and the Statewide CAV Working Group' s efforts to begin planning for new modes of transportation that will likely include driverless and/or self-driving vehicles in the not-so-distant future. (Visit our archives webpage to read additional CAV coverage.)

It’s one thing to discuss implementing CAV technologies; however, it’s an entirely different story to craft policies and regulations for adopting them, much less to identify and construct new infrastructure to make their use viable and safe. So, what are the steps involved? How does a jurisdiction begin to understand and plan for technologies that still feel distant and futuristic, but are seemingly inevitable and just over the horizon?

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From our Partner Agencies

Now Open: Application Round for FY23 State Revitalization Programs

DHCD

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has announced its FY23 application round for six State Revitalization Programs is now open. Applications are due by Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at 3 p.m. 

These programs offer funding to support local housing, community and economic development, and other revitalization projects. They are part of the department’s commitment to helping the state’s local governments and nonprofit agencies achieve their community revitalization and economic development goals.

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Update: Federal Grant Opportunity for Safer Streets and Roadways Now Open

DOT

In April’s edition of Planning Practice Monthly we covered the upcoming federal grant program aimed at promoting safer streets and roadways across the country. On May 17th, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced the application process is now open. The grants are available to communities of all sizes to apply for $1 billion in FY22 funding to help ensure safe streets and roads for all and address the national roadway safety crisis. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s new Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary grant program provides dedicated funding to support regional, local, and Tribal plans, as well as projects and strategies that will prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.

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The Appalachian Regional Commission Announces 2022 Annual Conference

ARC 2022 conference

ARC is excited to co-host its 2022 annual conference titled One Appalachia: Connection & Collaboration with the state of Maryland, October 17-19, at the Rocky Gap Resort in Flintstone, Maryland. 

This event will highlight how ARC’s 13 states and 423 counties are collaborating to bring each of ARC’s strategic investments to life. The conference will feature ARC partners who work daily to strengthen Appalachia by creating and expanding workforce development, growing sectors like outdoor recreation, developing entrepreneurs, and building leadership and community capacity.

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In Case you Missed It!

The Maryland Department of Transportation Releases First Bicycle Level of Traffic Stress (LTS) Analysis

Level of Stress

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) recently announced the release of a statewide bicycle level of traffic stress (LTS) analysis.  A goal of the 2019 Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, the LTS analysis scores how bikeable a roadway is based on the type of bicycle facility, traffic volumes, and speed. The LTS results help provide a basis for understanding how accessible Maryland’s road and trail networks are for various cycling audiences. 

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Maryland Historical Trust Presents Annual Preservation Awards

MHT 150-150

As part of Preservation Month, the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) (a division of the Maryland Department of Planning) is presenting 10 awards this May for noteworthy accomplishments in the preservation field. The awards recognize outstanding education, restoration, and revitalization projects, as well as organizational and individual leadership.

The 47th annual Maryland Preservation Awards, selected by MHT’s Board of Trustees, are being live streamed to MHT’s Facebook page throughout May. For a list of the upcoming events and to see recordings of the presentations that have already occurred, please visit MHT’s Facebook page

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MPCA Corner

Maryland Planning Commissioners Association Seeks Session Proposals for its 39th Annual Conference!

MPCA Vertical

The Maryland Planning Commissioners Association (MPCA) will host the 2022 fall annual conference in Frederick City on October 25 and 26. The theme of this year’s conference is Planning for Challenges on the Horizon. The MPCA has conducted its past two conferences virtually and is very excited to meet up with everyone again in person. The MPCA will monitor the pandemic and adjust as necessary.

Last year’s theme and session topics focused on getting back to planning in a world still impacted by uncertainty, but also one in which citizen planners needed to forge ahead. That uncertainty remains, but so do the challenges on the horizon. In a planning community navigating its way through the pandemic while simultaneously tackling the difficult issues of the 21st century, the benefits of a functioning and thriving citizen planning board are more apparent than ever.

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Continuing Education & Training

solar

In each newsletter, we highlight the most relevant and timely upcoming events. Our website does include many additional events, so please visit it regularly for updates. Listings are searchable by subject.

Upcoming Conferences and Seminars

Planning related conferences in Maryland and nearby states.

MML 2022 Summer Conference

Maryland Municipal League Summer Conference
Ocean City Convention Center
June 12 - 15
For More Information

ARC Conference: One Appalachia
October 17 - 19
For More Information

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Webinars

Listed webinars are typically free or low cost and cover a wide range of planning related issues. Many include CM credits.

The Mid-Atlantic Planning Collaboration Exemplifies Regional Cooperation

Chesapeake Bay Webinar Series, Smart Growth Tools for Protecting Water Resources
Thursday, June 16 @ 12 p.m.
AICP CM Approved 
For More Information

Funding Initiatives for Clean Water & Conservation
Wednesday, June 22 @ 12 pm
For More Information

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Training Around the State

Workshops and classes offered by state agencies or our partners.

MDE

A New Tool for Examining City and County Level CO2 Emissions

Wednesday, June 1, 9:00 am to 12 pm, Wheaton, MD
For More Information

2022 Pollinator Garden Tour
Thursday, June 23 - 25, 6 pm, Snow Hill, MD
For More Information

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Funding Opportunities

Federal, state and/or non-governmental funding.

DHCD

FY23 Community Investment Tax Credit Program
MD Department of Housing and Community Development Deadline: June 2
For More Information

Grant Applications to Open for Six State Housing Revitalization Programs
MD Department of Housing and Community Development Deadline: July 13
For More Information

Click for more on Funding Opportunities

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Planning Practice Wednesday is a service of the Maryland Department of Planning. The Maryland Department of Planning is providing links to training and educational content relevant to planning and growth as a service to its mailing list subscribers. The content and views expressed are not necessarily those of Planning or the State of Maryland.