View a message from Governor Wes Moore from May 2, 2024 on success of smart growth over the last 27 years and shifting toward the broader future of sustainable growth that balances environment, economy, and equity by planning where we grow, how we grow, and who we build for with vitality and resilience in mind.
The Maryland Sustainable Growth Subcabinet is chaired by the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP). The chair convenes monthly meetings and is responsible for the oversight, direction, and accountability of the work of the Subcabinet. MDP provides the primary staff for the Subcabinet.
Sustainable growth builds on the success of smart growth over the past 27 years. Sustainable growth is a framework to balance Maryland’s economic growth needs with our environmental responsibilities through community resiliency and neighborhood vitality while deepening our commitment to equity to ensure that no one is left behind. The shift from smart to sustainable recognizes the need to broaden our land use work to include all three E's of sustainability equity, economy, and environment to consider not only WHERE we grow, but HOW we grow and for WHOM.
The Subcabinet began as the Smart Growth and Neighborhood Conservation Subcabinet in January 1998 by Executive Order. It was formalized by statute effective July 1, 2001 (Chapter 566, Acts of 2001; Code State Government Article, sec. 9-1406). The Subcabinet helped implement the state's Smart Growth Policy, making recommended changes in state law, regulations, and procedures to the governor needed to support the policy.
The Sustainable Growth cabinet continues this implementation effort and work to create, enhance, support, and revitalize sustainable communities across Maryland.
The Subcabinet is further supported by the Sustainable Growth Coordinating Committee, chaired by MDP Assistant Secretary, Planning Services, that ensures state agency programs are effectively supporting the objectives of the Subcabinet and the individual agencies. The Subcabinet has delegated the coordinating committee to review and approval certain project level decisions on behalf of the Subcabinet related to state-funding exceptions to Priority Funding Area growth-related programs, renewal of Sustainable Community designations, and waivers of siting criteria for capital projects located within the Coast Smart Construction Program area. The coordinating committee also recommends changes in state law, regulation, or procedure needed to implement sustainable growth policy to the Subcabinet and helps coordinate programs in targeted communities including sustainable communities.
Note: The name of the Smart Growth Subcabinet changed to the Sustainable Growth Subcabinet effective October 1, 2024 per HB225/SB309 Smart Growth Subcabinet and Repeal of the Office of Smart Growth.
Chair
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Rebecca L. Flora, AICP, LEED ND / BD+C
Secretary, Maryland Department of Planning
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Vice-Chair
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Jake Day
Secretary, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
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Members
| Kevin Atticks
Secretary, Maryland Department of Agriculture |
| Helene T. Grady
Secretary, Maryland Department of Budget & Management
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| Harry Coker, Jr.
Acting Secretary, Maryland Department of Commerce
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Serena
Mcllwain
Secretary, Maryland Department of the Environment
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Russ Strickland
Secretary, Department of Emergency Management
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| Atif T. Chaudhry
Secretary, Maryland Department of General Services
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Laura Herrera Scott, M.D.
Secretary, Maryland Department of Health
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| Carol Anne Gilbert
Assistant Secretary for Neighborhood Revitalization
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development |
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Portia Wu Secretary, Maryland Department of Labor
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Josh Kurtz
Secretary, Maryland Department of Natural Resources |
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Paul Wiedefeld
Secretary, Maryland Department of Transportation
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Sanjay Rai
Secretary, Maryland Higher Education Commission |
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Paul G. Pinsky
Director, Maryland Energy Administration
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Kathryn Howell, Ph.D.
Executive Director, National Center for Smart Growth Research & Education
University of Maryland, College Park
(ex-officio)
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