Planning Practice Monthly, September 2023 Edition

Bookmark and Share

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Planning Practice MonthlyPlanning Square Images

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

In This Issue

Planning in Progress

Planning Assistance  in Action

From our Partners

In Case you Missed It!

Conferences, Webinars, Training, and Funding

Planning in Progress


Save the Date for Maryland’s 3rd Statewide Brownfield Conference: Landing a Brownfield

Brownfields Conference

Please join the Maryland Department of Planning and Maryland Department of the Environment on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at our 3rd statewide Brownfields Conference for local governments, consultants, attorneys, developers, and non-governmental/community organizations to learn and share information about brownfields. 

Our annual conference is a special opportunity to explore strategies together for Landing a Brownfield, such as ways to take ownership of brownfields. The conference will be held at a former brownfield and an adaptive reuse success story - the Montgomery Park Business Center. (Here is a five-minute video on the history of the building). 

Read Full Article

Back to List

Planning Assistance in Action


Maryland Department of Planning Staff to Lead Three MPCA Conference Sessions

MPCA 40th Conference logo

The session line up for MPCA’s 40th Annual Statewide Conference, entitled “Forty Years of Change; Forty Years of Opportunity” promises to be exceptional, with diverse topics ranging from the challenges of addressing PFAs or “Forever Chemicals” at the local planning level to the inclusion of Native American perspectives in Maryland planning efforts.

Register for the Conference Today!

The MPCA recently updated the preliminary conference program with new session panelists, tour locations, and citizen planner recognition information.

Read Full Article

Back to List


Maryland Department of Planning Assists Local Governments to Obtain Funding for Comprehensive Plan Updates

Casselman Bridge

Among the many ways in which Maryland Department of Planning’s (MDP’s) Regional Planners assist local governments including developing models and guidelines, online planning tools, in-person and online training courses, reviewing comprehensive plans and various associated elements, regional planners in the state’s most rural counties also assist small municipalities in finding much needed funding for completing comprehensive plan updates.

In Western Maryland, which includes Allegany, Garrett, and Washington Counties, Joseph (Joe) Rogers been helping some of the region’s smallest municipalities obtain funding to update their comprehensive plan or take on a new or complicated element such as a water resources, municipal growth, or housing element. Often, these municipalities may not otherwise have the staff or financial capacity to complete a plan internally or contract a vendor. Linking these municipalities to vital financial resources has been an important part of Joe’s role as Regional Planner since joining MDP in February 2021.

Read Full Article

Back to List

From our Partners


MDOT Releases Draft 2050 Maryland Transportation Plan (MTP) and Draft Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan (BPMP)

MDOT Playbook

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) recently released the draft 2050 Maryland Transportation Plan (MTP), Maryland's long-range transportation guide called "The Playbook."

The Playbook provides more than 75 strategies to guide the state's transportation vision and investment priorities successfully for years to come. MDOT is passing The Playbook to you for review and comment.  

Read Full Article

Back to List

In Case you Missed It!


Maryland Awards Millions in Rural Legacy, Climate Resilience, and Outdoor Learning Grants

Rural Legacy

Maryland will provide more than $34.6 million in Rural Legacy Program grants to county governments and land trusts to purchase conservation easements in designated Rural Legacy Areas throughout the state. The Board of Public Works unanimously approved the funding on August 23.

“From Mountain Maryland to the coastal plains of the Eastern Shore, the Moore-Miller Administration is committed to maintaining the character of our state’s rural landscapes,” said Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary, Josh Kurtz, who serves as the chair of the Rural Legacy Board.

Read Full Article

Back to List


Walktober 2023 Update: Walkinar Registration Now Open!

Walktober 2023

It is finally here!  October is National Pedestrian Safety Month, as designated by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). In Maryland, planning for Walktober 2023, a month-long celebration of Maryland’s official state exercise, is well under way and promises an exciting lineup of events and speakers.

The Governor’s administration wants to transform our transportation system and provide Marylanders with accessible, equitable, and sustainable options across the state – including walking and biking – ensuring we “connect all Marylanders to life’s opportunities and no one is left behind,” as stated by Governor Moore.

Read Full Article

Back to List


Article Title

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.

Forever Maryland

2023 Maryland Land Conservation Conference, "Changing the Future, Now!"
Annapolis, MD
October 4 - 5
For More Information

40th Annual MPCA Conference
Stevensville, MD
October 24 - 26 
For More Information

Click for more on Conferences

Webinars

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

NACO Logo

Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities (BRECC) Action Challenge 
Wednesday, October 4 @ 3 p.m. 
For More Information

Creating a Long-Term Housing and Land Use Plan and Perdiocially Measure Success Toward Goals
Wednesday, October 25 @ 1 p.m.
For More Information

Click for more on Webinars

Training Around the State

Workshops and classes offered by state agencies or our partners.

Maryland League of Conservation Voters

Maryland League of Conservation Voter: Changemakers
Thursday, October 5, Baltimore
For More Information

Impact Maryland 2023
Tuesday, October 10, Baltimore
For More Information

Click for more on Trainings

Funding Opportunities

Federal, state and/or non-governmental funding.

MDDNR

FY23 SMART Stage 1 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
U.S. DOT
Deadline: October 10
For More Information

Keep Maryland Beautiful
Maryland DNR
Deadline: November 15
For More Information

Click for more on Funding Opportunities

Back to List

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.