Maryland Planning Today News Feed

Governor O’Malley Signs Sustainable Communities Financing Bill Into Law (05/16/13) MDP Press Release

Thu, 16 May 2013 15:45:22 GMT

2013 tax increment financing law enhances authority for local government funding for community revitalization and economic development

BALTIMORE, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley today signed into law a bill passed by the Maryland General Assembly that expands municipalities’ and counties’ authority to finance costs for infrastructure improvements located in or supporting a Sustainable Community through tax increment financing (TIF).

Sailor-Planner Writes About War… of 1812 (05/13/13) Smart Growth Maryland blog

Mon, 13 May 2013 20:56:49 GMT

Havre de Grace’s Bicentennial Bash * Like tall ships? Battle reenactments? Outdoor orchestras? Fireworks on the water? How about the idea of a whole town letting loose in celebration of two centuries of pent-up pride in staving off the world’s most powerful navy? Then why not take an early season cruise up north this year? North to Havre de Grace, MD, that is.

Spoke Shops Signal Smart Growth (05/08/13) Smart Griwth Maryland blog

Wed, 08 May 2013 18:03:06 GMT

The Return of Neighborhood Bicycle Shops: A Sustainable Community Indicator

Can I get fries with that bike? * When local bicycle shops moved further out to the newer shopping centers they often changed their retail focus. Within a few years large mass discount department store retailers moved into regional markets and many remaining neighborhood-oriented bicycle shops closed when they were no longer price competitive.

MDP's Ryan Sigworth: What's the best iPhone bus tracking app? (04/30/13) Greater Greater Washington blog

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:47:38 GMT

After the "NextBus" iPhone app disappeared last year, bus riders found themselves searching for a new app to track the locations of buses. Since then, a host of new apps have appeared to fill the void. But is there such a thing as the "perfect" app for iPhone owners?

Sustainability Indicators for Maryland's Jurisdictions (April 4, 2013) MD State Data Center

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:33:39 GMT

Combined transportation, housing, equity, income, education and jobs data for Maryland showing performance measures that relate to maintaining sustainable, healthy and viable communities.

Another way to live (03/28/13) Smart Growth MD blog

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 18:36:47 GMT

So I am one of “those” people.

Who am I you may ask. I am a completely car-free urban planner. No, I am not crazy and I am not a “tree hugger.” I do, however, believe in smart growth, walkable communities and mixed uses. In my line of work I am not alone in these beliefs but often when you dig a little deeper you find urban planners with these beliefs living the car dominated suburban “dream.” I like to practice what I preach so for the last three years I have been totally car-free living in northwest Washington, DC while working in Baltimore – approximately 40 miles from my home.

Is There Life After Malls? (03/25/13) Smart Growth MD blog

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 18:35:51 GMT

The enclosed suburban shopping mall came to symbolize the height of middle class American culture from the 1960’s through the 1980’s. The ubiquitous shopping mall was a retail model that wooed stores away from downtowns and main street shopping areas. The enclosed mall became the location for retail, socializing, cinema and the ever present food courts where teens and their families often spent the afternoon far from their community and the comfy confines of their kitchens and dining room tables.

MD Planning Secretary Hall’s Letter to Sun Editor Clarifies the Facts About Septic Law (03/11/13) Smart Growth MD Lite

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 21:02:46 GMT

From the Baltimore Sun’s “Readers Respond” section, titled “Clean water requires everyone’s help”

9:45 a.m. EDT, March 11, 2013

I am writing in response to Sen. E.J. Pipkin’s letter to the editor in which he called me the state’s land planning czar (“O’Malley is waging war on rural Maryland,” Feb. 26). The senator may think such name-calling and his “war on rural Maryland” slogan is strategic for him. However, it is bad for rural, suburban, and urban Maryland..

Septics Law Implementation Website (02/26/13) MDP

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 19:33:46 GMT

This page contains links to adopted maps and associated documentation for each county and municipality that has transmitted this information to MDP.

Sustainable Growth Forum page launched (02/22/13) See videos and pictures and the keynote presentation from the 1st Annual Sustainable Growth Forum and Awards Ceremony held in February

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 14:36:13 GMT

The Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission held the first annual Sustainable Growth Forum on February 5, 2013 in Annapolis, MD. The focus of this first forum was economic opportunities created by smart growth. The commission recognized the individuals, organizations and projects that have contributed significantly to sustainability and smart growth in Maryland presenting seven Sustainable Growth Awards at the forum.

Richard “Dick” Floyd (December 4, 1940-January 8, 2013) – A Planning Commissioner for the Ages (01/15/13) Smart Growth Maryland blog

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 19:30:17 GMT

"Fortunately, I was one of those staff planners who had the extraordinary opportunity to observe and learn from Dick Floyd. I am very thankful for the invaluable experience that I obtained from him in public process and courtesy, as well as how to grow responsibly and sustainably while exploring methods to promote stewardship of the land and the water."

Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission is holding first annual Sustainable Growth Forum focusing on economic opportunities created by smart growth – February 5, 2013 (01/15/13)

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:58:19 GMT

Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission’s First Annual Forum and Awards Ceremony

Please join the Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission at the Governor Calvert House in Annapolis for the first annual Sustainable Growth Forum focusing on economic opportunities created by smart growth.

Press Release: Governor Martin O'Malley Announces Recipients of the 2013 Sustainable Communities Tax Credit (January 15, 2013)

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:56:25 GMT

5 projects receive nearly $7 million in tax credits to leverage projects that will create an estimated 500 construction jobs

BALTIMORE, MD (January 15, 2013) – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced the recipients of the latest round of Sustainable Communities Tax Credits, which will help create 500 construction jobs in projects designed to revitalize communities and promote green building practices.

Secretary Richard Hall on Midday on the Bay today at 1:00 p.m. (12/20/12) WYPR

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 17:03:01 GMT

Ghosts of Eco-Decisions Past - environmental reporter Rona Kobell presents case studies in failed planning and bad ideas that haunt people and places in the Chesapeake region today: The unleashing of a home-building frenzy on Kent Island without a public septic system; the construction of a highway over the Jones Falls in Baltimore; the design of a stormwater system that protects our basements but delivers loads of pollutants to our rivers and streams.

Press Release (12/10/12) 2013 Historic Preservation Grant Applications Being Accepted

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 21:35:20 GMT

The Maryland Historical Trust (MHT), an agency of the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP), is accepting applications for Fiscal Year 2013 capital grants under the MHT Historic Preservation Grant Program.

MDP staff give 4 presentations at the MD/DE American Planning Association Regional Conference October 2012

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 20:57:16 GMT

On October 18th and 19th 2012, Maryland Department of Planning staff made presentations at the Maryland/Delaware American Planning Association Regional Conference which was held at the Sheraton Columbia Town Center Hotel. The conference theme was “What Makes a Complete Community?”

WalkUPs: A Real Estate Model for the 21st Century (12/07/12) Smart Growth MD

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 20:43:25 GMT

For many decades urban and regional planners have chased the elusive "walkable community" much like the Holy Grail. From Radburn to Columbia to your local mixed use center, walkability has often been a planning goal, although rarely achieved. This is now changing. An emerging land use in the second decade of the 21st century are walkable urban places... By David Whitaker

Smart Growth Subcabinet public forum in December (12/05/12) MDP

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 15:53:06 GMT

Public Announcement: Governor's Smart Growth Subcabinet public forum being held on Wednesday, December 19, 2012.

MDP debuts first 2 “Smart Impact” videos (12/05/12) Planning.Maryland.gov

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 16:08:28 GMT

“Smart Impact” is a new video series focusing on people and places where smart & sustainable growth is happening on the ground in Maryland. These are the stories of people first – planning and smart growth is just a part of the story.

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