SPIRO T. AGNEW, Governor                         17

1.

The rapid urbanization of the area which includes the counties of
Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Howard, and the
City of Baltimore has resulted in the creation of serious problems.
Sixty percent of the population of Maryland resides in this area.
During the past ten years the population of the region has increased
by one third, to over 1,800,000. It is anticipated that this trend will
continue, further aggravating the problems. The flow of traffic does
not stop at a city or county line. The economy and well-being of the
area are best advanced when the economic potential is considered
and developed on a regional and State-wide basis. An opportunity
must be provided for the several units of government within the
area to work together with the State and private agencies toward
the solution of their problems. In order to deal with these matters
on a rational and sound basis, they must be considered within the
framework of a general development plan for the area. Thus, a
regional planning agency is required to prepare a suggested general
development plan—a plan which will provide for the effective em-
ployment of the natural and other resources of the region—and
which will assure a continuous, comprehensive and cooperative land
use and transportation planning process within the region. In the
execution of its purpose, the regional planning agency will serve as
a consultative and coordinating agency (1) seeking to harmonize and
advance its planning activities with the planning activities of the
State and of the counties and municipalities within the metropolitan
area, (2) rendering planning assistance, [and] (3) stimulating pub-
lic interest and participation in planning for the development of the
area, (4) serving as the referral agency for regional problems, PROB-
LEMS AFFECTING MORE THAN ONE UNIT OF GOVERN-
MENT, and (5) reviewing local government programs and grant-in-
aid requests when required by law.

4.

(a)   The membership of the Council shall include three representa-
tives from the City of Baltimore, three representatives from each
of the counties of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and
Howard, the Director of the State Department of Planning, the
Chairman-Director of the State Roads Commission, the Chairman
of the Metropolitan Transit Authority, the Chairman of the Maryland
Port Authority and four representatives to be appointed by the
Governor, namely, a member of the Maryland Senate, a member of
the Maryland House of Delegates, and two citizens of the State of
Maryland, as follows:

(b)  The Mayor of the City of Baltimore shall be a member of the
Council and he shall have authority to nominate, constitute and ap-
point a permanent alternate, who shall be an elected or appointed
official of the City of Baltimore to serve, in his absence as a member
of the Council. The President of the City Council of the City of
Baltimore shall be a member of the Council and shall have authority
to nominate, constitute and appoint a member of the City Council
to serve, in his absence as a member of the Council. The Mayor of
the City of Baltimore shall appoint a member of the Baltimore City
Planning Commission as a member of the Council.

(c)   The County Executive of Anne Arundel County shall be a
member of the Council and shall have authority to nominate, con-