Commissioner Howard: 60 Days Still Not Enough Time for PlanMaryland Deferral

The Maryland Department of Planning and Gov. Martin O’Malley announced a 60-day extension for review and comment on PlanMaryland, the state-wide planning document.

The deadline, which was originally Sept. 1, has been deferred to Nov. 7. 

A news release from the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) states that on Sept. 7, MDP will provide a revised version of the draft plan. It will reflect changes based on public comment it has received since releasing the first draft on April 28. MDP will send the revised draft plan to a work group of the Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission on Sept. 7 before releasing it later that day online at the PlanMaryland website, Plan.Maryland.gov.

The release reports that the MDP will then begin an additional 60-day review period through Nov. 7 to receive comments on the updated draft. Those comments will be incorporated into the final version of PlanMaryland to be submitted to Governor O’Malley by mid-November 2011.

According to a news release from the Carroll County commissioners office, Board President Doug Howard expressed gratitude to the governor for this deferral, but stated that it still leaves inadequate time for proper review.

The release reports that Carroll’s commissioners will continue to push for a full-year extension.

“We haven’t seen the final version yet,” Howard said in the release. “There are no details about how the plan will be implemented. We need adequate time to vet the plan with citizens and planning officials throughout the state.”

On Tuesday, the commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution requesting a full year extension.

Next Monday, Aug. 29, the Carroll County Commissioners will host a PlanMaryland Forum at Carroll Community College at 6:30 p.m. Maryland Secretary of Planning Richard Hall will be there.