Smart, Sustainable Growth - HB 297

The Maryland Court of Appeals ruled in Terrapin Run (2008) that special exceptions could be granted to county and municipal plans, even if the exception did not strictly conform to the comprehensive plan. That took the legal teeth out of planning. HB 297 puts the teeth back in; it passed both the House and Senate. Here is HB 297's synopsis.

April 4, 2009
MD Legislature's HB 297

Smart, Green, and Growing – Smart and Sustainable Growth Act of 2009

FOR the purpose of defining a certain term applicable to the adoption of certain
ordinances or regulations by a local jurisdiction and the exercise by a local
jurisdiction certain governmental entities of certain land use ordinances and
regulations, water and sewer plan review, growth allocation, and annexation
powers to require clarify consistency with a local comprehensive plan is
required under certain circumstances;

altering the applicability of certain land use provisions to certain local jurisdictions;

requiring a local jurisdiction to enact a certain land use plan; requiring a member of a local planning commission to complete a certain education course;

requiring a member of a board of appeals to complete a certain education course;
declaring the intent of the General Assembly;

requiring a member of a local planning commission and a member of a board of appeals to complete a certain education course by a certain date;

requiring the Task Force on the Future for Growth and Development to make certain recommendations;

requiring the Department of Planning to develop a certain education course by a certain date;

providing for the application of this Act;

stating the General Assembly’s intent to overturn the ruling in a certain court case;
defining certain terms; and generally relating to land use.

http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/bills/hb/hb0297t.pdf