
A Brief History of the MPCA: Serving the citizen planner since 1983
The Maryland Planning Commissioners Association (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
MPCA promotes better planning and plan implementation by:
- Fostering communication and sharing information to improve planning practices and procedures;
- Promoting public interest in municipal, county, regional, and state planning issues;
- Encouraging increased planning coordination and cooperation within Maryland; and
- Providing regional and statewide workshops on planning and zoning issues of mutual interest and concern.
Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Baltimore, the MPCA is dedicated to the continuing education and professionalism of those who serve as members of planning commissions, planning boards and boards of appeals. Many of those are citizen planners who serve as volunteers. All members of a planning commission or board and/or board of appeals in Maryland counties and municipalities (incorporated cities, towns and villages) that exercise planning authority are members of the MPCA.
MPCA Governance
MPCA is governed by a board made up of representatives from each county in Maryland and led by elected officers. The board meets quarterly in January, April, July, and October, the latter meeting during the fall conference. Officers are nominated at the quarterly meeting prior to the annual fall conference when the group holds an election.
Membership
All board/commission members are automatically MPCA members. Jurisdictional board members are appointed from this membership.
MPCA welcomes new board members from throughout the state. There several openings for county representatives on the board. To become a county representative on the board, contact one of the officers listed below. Anyone serving as county or municipal commissioners or board members is eligible to represent their county. Please check the member listing to find your name. If it is missing or needs correction, please submit the online form.
In addition to board membership, MPCA offers many opportunities to serve Maryland citizen planners, such as annual conference planning, education and nomination committees. Contact any officer or board member to find out how you can participate.
MPCA changed its name in 2007 from the Maryland Citizen Planners Association (MCPA) to better identify its mission of improving knowledge among its members.
Members of the MPCA Board
MPCA Officers
- Danny Winborne, President (City of Gaithersburg, Montgomery County), Email
- Bill Butts, Vice President (Town of Mount Airy, Frederick County), Email
- Roxanne Hemphill, Secretary, (Town of Mount Airy, Frederick County), Email
- Jeff Reiss, Treasurer (Queen Anne's County), Email
Click here to see the full list of MPCA officers, members and staff >>
Click here to see the list of MPCA past presidents >>