Ch. 415                                    2003 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(2) an analysis of the land area needed to satisfy demand for
development at densities consistent with the master plan.

(h) For the purposes of this section, average density shall be calculated based
on the total acreage of all parcels in the area for which the principal permitted use is
residential, excluding land:

(1)     (i) dedicated for public use by easement in perpetuity or fee
acquisition; or

(ii) dedicated recreational use;

(2)     subject to an agricultural easement under § 2-508 of the Agriculture
Article;

(3)     subject to an agricultural easement under a county agricultural land
preservation program certified under § 5-408 of this title;

(4)     used for cemetery purposes;

(5)     identified by a local government as:
(i) 1. streams and their buffers;

2.       100-year flood plains;

3.       habitats of threatened and endangered species; and

4.       steep slopes; and

(ii) on which development is prohibited by local law or ordinance; or

(6)     identified by a local government as delineated nontidal wetlands on
which development is prohibited by State or local law or ordinance.

5-7B-08.

(a)     To be eligible for funding for growth—related projects, a local government
OR TWO OR MORE COUNTY GOVERNMENTS shall certify to the Department of
Planning any area designated by the local government OR COUNTY GOVERNMENTS as
a priority funding area under § 5-7B-03 of this subtitle, which shall be consistent
with the local comprehensive plan and the criteria set forth in § 5-7B-03 of this
subtitle.

(b)     Prior to certification of a priority funding area or areas, the local
government OR COUNTY GOVERNMENTS may submit the proposed priority funding
areas and any relevant information to the Department of Planning for:

(1)     technical assistance, review, and comment; and

(2)     the opportunity for public review.

(c)      Upon certification of a priority funding area, the local government OR
COUNTY GOVERNMENTS shall provide to the Department of Planning all information

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