Successful implementation of A Better Maryland will depend on the close coordination of state agencies with local governments. To facilitate this, Planning has identified areas of critical state concern that local jurisdictions may consider in their comprehensive / master planning and implementation of those plans. Local jurisdictions may address these areas of concern within their local plans as they deem appropriate.
To accommodate local level decision making and implementation, A Better Maryland provides a list of spatially designated areas, plans and studies, and programs that the state deems to be of critical concern. These may be considered by local jurisdictions in their local planning processes. The SGSC has endorsed this list and will update it periodically. The purpose for this Plan is to have a “manageable” list of areas, plans and programs that the SGSC agencies and local governments consider as the most significant when planning for the future, whether it is at the state or local level. Local governments may propose additional areas for inclusion.
Criteria used by SGSC to evaluate the appropriateness of areas, plans and programs to be included as areas of critical state concern take the following into consideration:
- Areas that transcend local jurisdiction boundaries
- Connection to local jurisdiction’s comprehensive/master plans
- Implementation that requires state-local coordination or collaboration
- Recognized state agency collaboration associated with area designations, complementary programs, or interagency planning efforts