Anne Arundel County, Maryland

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

What is the Purpose of the County's General Development Plan?
The Plan is used to guide and direct growth and development throughout the County. The efficient location of land uses including residential, commercial, industrial, recreational and maritime as well as areas to be preserved as open space are identified by the Plan. Areas recommended for future development and areas recommended for protection are also identified in the Plan. The planning, location and extent of future public facilities including roads, schools, and sewer and water facilities to serve present and future county residents is accomplished through the General Development Plan process.
What does a General Development Plan look like?
A General Development Plan consists of a text or report describing various goals, policies and recommendations to be followed in the future. The goals, policies and recommendations relate to different functional areas such as land use, transportation, the environment, public facilities, etc. The General Development Plan also consists of a Land Use Map which shows the location of various land uses including residential, commercial, industrial, open space, etc.
How long has the County had a General Development Plan?
The County first adopted a General Development Plan in 1968. That first Plan set the stage for planning in the County over the next two decades. Major land use policies in place today such as Town Centers, revitalization of existing communities and protection of sensitive areas date back to the first Plan.

A second General Development Plan was adopted in 1978. Development under the 1978 Plan would focus new commercial and higher density residential growth in and adjacent to "town centers" and existing communities and target a greater share of new growth in the western part of the County. New zoning, subdivision, and grading and sediment control ordinances were adopted to help implement the 1978 Plan.

In 1986, the County adopted an "Addendum" to the 1978 Plan. The addendum reviewed, updated and revised the goals and policies of the 1978 Plan.

Why is the County updating its General Development Plan now?
The County is revising its current General Development Plan for a number of reasons. It has been almost 10 years since the last Plan was completed and much has changed in the County since 1986. The State of Maryland adopted, in 1992, an Economic Growth, Resource Protection, and Planning Act which requires all local jurisdictions to review their plans for conformance with seven "visions". The seven visions are :
  1. Development is concentrated in suitable areas.
  2. Sensitive areas are protected.
  3. In rural areas, growth is directed to existing population centers and resource areas are protected.
  4. Stewardship of the Chesapeake Bay and the land is a universal ethic.
  5. Conservation of resources, including a reduction in resource consumption, is practiced.
  6. To assure the achievement of 1 thru 5 above, economic growth is encouraged and regulatory mechanisms are streamlined.
  7. Funding mechanisms are addressed to achieve these visions.
New laws have been adopted relative to clean air and transportation that encourage new and different approaches to land use planning. A new Plan can incorporate some of these techniques.
What time period will be covered by the General Development Plan?
The planning horizon for the County's General Development Plan is the year 2020.
How long will it take to update the General Development Plan?
The work program for revision of the Plan is divided into two phases. During the First Phase, begun in June 1994, county planning staff have been working with a citizen Oversight Committee to review the 1978 and 1986 General Development Plan goals and policies. Trends over the last 20 years have been identified. Current conditions are being inventoried. Issues, problems and opportunities are being identified and growth options discussed. The Second Phase will begin with an exploration of key conditions, issues, goals and alternatives for growth by the Steering Committee and Public. The second phase of the work program is expected to be completed by July 1996 with adoption of a new General Development Plan..
What happens after a new General Development Plan is adopted?
Historically, comprehensive rezoning has followed adoption of a new General Development Plan. Comprehensive rezoning is a countywide rezoning effort designed to incorporate changes into the zoning map to reflect any changes to the new Land Use Plan. The last comprehensive rezoning took three years to complete. In addition, adoption of new development controls and regulations can follow a new General Development Plan. These controls and regulations can assist in implementation of recommendations contained in the Plan.
Who will be responsible for updating the County's General Development Plan?
The General Development Plan must consider the views of citizens, elected officials and professional staff. The process of adopting the Plan must be an inclusive one where all citizens have an opportunity to be heard. Public participation is a key element of this planning process. There will be numerous opportunities during the process of revising the Plan to hear the views of citizens throughout the County through Public Forums.
What is the role of the Steering Committee in the General Development Plan?
The Steering Committee, composed of a broad cross section of county residents, will work with Planning staff and elected officials in shaping policy for inclusion in the General Development Plan. In monthly meetings and at Public Forums, the Steering Committee will be interacting with Planning staff and citizens in an exchange of ideas and information on issues and alternatives, eventually leading to the selection of a preferred alternative. The Steering Committee will strive to work together in a collaborative effort to carve out the best Plan for the future land use of the County.

GO TO THE CAPITAL ONLINE