Second Round Listening Session: Perryville Town Hall - October 23, 2018

The comments below represent the statements or points of view of one or more individuals who participated in the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) “A Better Maryland” Development Plan Listening Sessions. These comments do not represent any official position or policy of MDP or any other State agency, nor do they represent any official position or policy of any local jurisdiction or local planning agency.

Environment

Selected Topic
Sustaining the Environment into the Future

Selected Strategy
Review and Streamline the State’s Critical Area guidance for local governments to more effectively meet the Program’s goals

Comments:

• • Critical Areas:
    • The Critical Area law, along with its administration, is cumbersome
    • Need to reestablish local control of Critical Areas
    • Guidance needs to use clearer, less technical language
    • Everything shouldn’t have to go to the Critical Area Commission
    • More training for local staff is needed
    • Bi-annual reviews, do not need to be resent each time
  • Evaluation Tools
    • The state needs to monitor the effectiveness of improvements required of locals. A lot of work goes into them, but then we are never sure what the impact is
    • Any evaluation tools should be developed locally

Economic Development

Selected Topic
Improving Economic Growth and Development in Existing Communities

Selected Strategy
Enhance interagency engagement with the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) in planning and implementation

Comments

• • MEDA
    • MDOT should participate in and attend Maryland Economic Development Association meetings along with MDP
    • Use MEDA to disseminate information about Opportunity Zones
  • More state agencies need to engage with statewide economic development, such as the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR)
  • Support for unique local agricultural business and the technological advances that they rely on
    • In Cecil County, examples include breweries and mushroom operations

Community Development

Selected Topic
Creating Quality Places

Selected Strategy
Promote projects that enhance quality mixed-use development and support vibrant communities

Comments

• • Need for a Circuit Rider Grant Writer position
  • State staff assistance should be available when locals make requests
  • Mixed uses should be promoted where appropriate in existing communities
  • Illinois example: New mixed-use villages are being created in rural area around healthcare industry uses

Collaboration / Coordination

Selected Topic
Improving the Delivery of Programs and Services to Local Jurisdictions

Selected Strategy
Conduct regional business training events to inform and educate businesses and local governments of the processes and opportunities to conduct business with State partners

Comments

• • Communication is the most critical component of making it work
  • Interagency state reviews
    • Responses should be solution oriented
    • Customer service is key