User:JohnCMDP

The Maryland Department of Planning began in 1933 as the State Planning Commission (Chapter 39, Acts of Special Session of 1933). When the State Planning Department formed in 1959, the Commission became part of the new department (Chapter 543, Acts of 1959). In 1969, the Department reorganized as the Maryland Department of State Planning (Chapter 155, Acts of 1969). The Department was restructured in 1989 to become the Maryland Office of Planning (Chapter 540, Acts of 1989).

Effective July 1, 2000, the Maryland Office of Planning was renamed the Maryland Department of Planning (Chapter 209, Acts of 2000; Code State Finance & Procurement Article, secs. 5-101 through 5-816) and became a cabinet level agency. The Department is the principal staff agency for land use planning matters concerned with the resources and development of the State.

In July 2005, the Division of Historical and Cultural Programs transferred to the Department of Planning from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).

In 2007, the Department organized to oversee three main functions: Communications and Intergovernmental Affairs; Planning Services; and Historical and Cultural Programs.

The Maryland Department of Planning, also known by its acronym MDP, promotes growth that fosters vibrant, livable communities, preserves and protects historical, cultural, and natural assets, and makes efficient use of State resources. MDP’s works to discourage growth that results in “sprawl” development. It supports and advances development that meets these four, straightforward goals:

• Support existing communities by targeting resources to support development in areas where infrastructure exists;
• Save our most valuable natural, historical, and cultural resources before they are forever lost;
• Save taxpayers from the high cost of building infrastructure to serve development that has spread far from our traditional population centers; and
• Provide Marylanders with a high quality of life, whether they choose to live in a rural community, suburb, small town, or city.

In short, Smart, Sustainable Growth.

MDP provides data, trend analysis, research assistance, and policy development and implementation support for local governments, communities, businesses, and organizations. The Department provides technical assistance, local program review and planning design services for Maryland's counties and municipalities.

As MDP monitors and forecasts changes in development and land use throughout the state, we create and produce research tools and resources to assist in planning for Maryland’s future. Information on demographic, socio-economic, political, cultural, geographic and land-use trends is collected, analyzed, and distributed in multiple formats. With computer mapping and geographic information systems, MDP supports map display and analysis of census data, satellite imagery, aerial photography, land-use and parcel data to enhance and assist growth management and land-use planning across the State.

As chair of the Smart Growth Subcabinet, the Secretary of Planning and the Department oversee the implementation of Governor O'Malley’s programs working to revitalize Maryland’s existing communities.

The Department has a number of specialized offices, including:

• State Clearinghouse for Intergovernmental Assistance facilitates intergovernmental review and coordinates applications for financial assistance, nominations to the National Register of Historic Places, direct federal development programs, draft environmental impact statements, and State plans requiring gubernatorial review.
• Planning Data Services collects, analyzes, and publishes social, economic, and geographic information relating to the State and its political subdivisions; identifies and evaluates development issues; prepares reports and studies on specific topics; and disseminates U.S. Census and U.S. Department of Commerce information.
• Local Planning Assistance provides technical services to support the planning and management capacity of local governments. The department's Centreville, Cumberland, Salisbury, and Annapolis offices provide technical assistance to local governments, business, organizations, and the public.
• The Division of Historical and Cultural Programs is responsible for theMaryland Historical Trust, the Maryland Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and staff support for the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority. The Maryland Historical Trust oversees Administration, the Jefferson Patterson Historical Park and Museum and three offices: Preservation Planning and Museum Programs; Preservation Services; and Research, Survey, and Registration.
• The Office of Smart Growth works directly with local governments, businesses, and organizations to coordinate the implementation of proven planning strategies. The office helps developers and local officials produce well-planned projects and to educate and inform the public on land-use issues. The office coordinates the Priority Places efforts of the state agencies represented on the Smart Growth Subcabinet.
• MDP is a member of the Interagency Committee for Public School Construction. The Public School Construction program ensures adherence to the principles of comprehensive planning, development management, land use, capital budgeting, policy analysis and smart growth for annual and five-year programs of elementary and secondary school capital improvements. This division helps produce the annual Public School Construction budget for the State of Maryland.