AAC GDP Comments: CHAPTER TWELVE – IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

The BCC recommends that:

• An Implementation Plan must be provided as stated in the GDP.

The Implementation Plan in Chapter 12 of this GDP, (p.233), has not yet been provided. In the 1997 GDP, the implementation plan chapter details proposed actions and regulations, along with necessary code changes, to implement the elements of the plan on a graphed time line. Each element in this GDP must also have a scheduled time line for implementation to ensure accountability by the responsible department. This will allow the SAC and PAB members and County citizens to monitor the progress of proposed plans and changes. It is requested that the County Executive order a yearly review of the GDP progress, as documented by Department heads, to members of the SAC or designees and involved community leaders, to enable them to track updates, actions and hopefully…the successful implementation of proposed GDP actions.
This will enable all of those in both the public and private sector who must depend on the Plan for approval and execution of recommended actions, to view and understand the interrelationships of the Plan, the directions and policies supporting the detail and the timeline for implementation.
The Plan must coordinate all land use changes, subdivision regulations, building codes, transportation and transit requirements, environmental laws and other dependencies. The GDP must conclude with –as comprehensive plans do- a Recommended 2020 Comprehensive Plan Map (this is not a land use map). Direction should be provided so relevant boards and commissions use the GDP in making their decisions on land use changes, zoning and growth policies in conformance with the adopted plan.
Also, all transportation plans must relate recommendations to the capital improvement program, intergovernmental planning and funding with regional, state and federal entities.

• The enforceability of the GDP be strengthened.
The County Code should be amended to include language that requires any proposed zoning, variance, special exceptions and other land use and/or zoning requests be “in conformity with the GDP provisions.”
The BCC and associated communities support the Governor’s proposed legislation in this General Assembly in SB280 and HB 297 as an effort to make the GDP more than a vision.
Governor O’Malley has said:
“A good comprehensive plan does not predetermine every land use decision that will be made, but it charts a course for the jurisdiction. The plan is not a straitjacket, but neither is it merely advisory. The course it lays out should be implemented, and land use ordinances and regulations should be consistent with the local comprehensive plan.”
The County should independently adopt a law with language that parallels SB280 and HB297 to insure that the GDP is not subverted by developers, boards and commissions, planners and other interest groups.
It should be noted that the citizens of the State of Maryland are best served if land use decisions are consistent with the locally adopted comprehensive Small Area Plans which amended the 1997 GDP and provide the foundation for the current General Development Plan.