Growth-related projects covered by the legislation include most State programs that encourage or support growth and development such as highways, sewer and water construction, economic development assistance, and State leases or construction of new office facilities.

Smart Growth Areas Established by Law

The Priority Funding Areas Act legislatively designates certain areas-the traditional core of Maryland's urban development and areas targeted for economic development-as Smart Growth Areas:

· Municipalities;
· Baltimore City;
· areas inside the Baltimore and Washington Beltways;
· neighborhoods designated for revitalization by the Department of Housing and Community Development ("Designated Neighborhoods");
· Enterprise and Empowerment Zones; and
· certified Heritage Areas within county-designated growth areas.

County-Designated Smart Growth Areas

Local government plays a major role in determining the location of development. Thus, the legislation authorizes counties to designate additional Smart Growth Areas, known as County-Designated Smart Growth Areas, that meet minimum criteria. Counties are not required to designate Smart Growth Areas nor to designate all eligible areas.

Areas eligible for county designation include:

· areas with industrial zoning (Areas zoned after January 1, 1997, must be in a county-designated growth area and be served by a sewer system).
· areas with employment as the principal use which are served by, or planned for, a sewer system (Areas zoned after January 1, 1997, must be in a county-designated growth area).
· existing communities (as of January 1, 1997) within county-designated growth areas which are served by a sewer or water system and which have an average density of two or more units per acre.
· Rural Villages designated in the Comprehensive Plan as of July 1, 1998.
· other areas within county-designated growth areas that:
o reflect a long-term policy for promoting an orderly expansion of growth and an efficient use of land and public services;
o have existing or planned water and sewer systems; and
o have a permitted density of 3.5 or more units per acre for new residential development.

Special Provisions for Communities with Water Service Only, and for Rural Villages

In communities with water service but no sewer system and in Rural Villages, State funding is restricted to projects which maintain the character of the community. The projects must not increase the growth capacity of the village or community except for limited peripheral and infill development.

Priority Funding Area Legislation

Data on PFAs: Socioeconomic and Housing Characteristics

Models and Guidelines

Smart Growth and Neighborhood Conservation Initiatives

Smart Growth: Designating Priority Funding Areas (Full document.)

Smart Growth: Municipal Implementation (Full document.)

Infrastructure Survey
2001
1998