Smart Growth Models and Guidelines for Managing Maryland's Growth

Regulatory Streamlining

This booklet addresses the streamlining of land use regulations by local jurisdictions in accordance with the 1992 Planning Act. The report also discusses various measures that can make implementation of Comprehensive Plans more efficient and suggests approaches to public policy which recognize the private sector as an ally in achieving the Plan's recommendations for growth and protection. In addition, the booklet demonstrates how the Goals and the Implementation Elements of the Comprehensive Plan can be amended to incorporate streamlining requirements as well as providing numerous examples of both procedural and substantive planning techniques that can be used to streamline the development process and channel growth to Plan-designated areas.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Section One: The Planning Act of 1992

  • Overview
  • Regulatory Streamlining Under the Act
  • The Benefits of Streamlining
Section Two: Regulatory Streamlining for Local Government
  • Impediments to Streamlining
  • Local Government Initiatives
  • Additional Streamlining Opportunities
  • Conclusion
Section Three: Amending the Comprehensive Plan
  • Introduction
  • Goals and Objectives Element
  • Land Development Regulations (Implementation) Element
  • Additional Information
Section Four: Regulatory Streamlining at the State Level
  • Local Comprehensive Planning in the Context of State Regulatory Authority
  • Conclusion
Appendix A: Local Government Streamlining Examples
  • Procedural Techniques
  • Substantive Planning Techniques for Streamlining
Appendix B: State Agency Streamlinig Examples
  • Maryland Department of Natural Resources
  • Maryland Department of the Environment
  • Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development

Published: February 1994