Matters relating to planning and zoning are governed by both State and County laws. The Maryland Forest Conservation Act, for example, requires all local governments with planning and zoning authority to adopt a local forest conservation program (Chapter 255, Acts of 1991; Code Natural Resources Article, secs. 5-1601 through 5-1613).
The Department of Planning oversees four main divisions: Community Planning and Revitalization, Historical and Architectural Preservation, Land Use and Urban Design, and Research and Strategic Planning. Also under the Department is the Office of Sustainability.
COMMUNITY PLANNING & REVITALIZATION DIVISION
Assisting the Community Planning and Revitalization Division are the Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals, and the Planning Commission.
Appointed by the Mayor with City Council consent, the Board consists of five members. The Mayor names the President (Code Land Use Article, secs. 4-101 through 4-406).
PLANNING COMMISSION
The Commission consists of nine members. Six are appointed to five-year terms by the Mayor with City Council consent; three serve ex officio. The Mayor names the President (Code Land Use Article, secs. 2-101 through 3-304).
HISTORICAL & ARCHITECTURAL PRESERVATION DIVISION
The Commission may designate historical and architectural preservation districts in Baltimore, and may compile and maintain a list of these exterior structures, both public and private, considered to be of special significance.
Serving four-year terms, thirteen members make up the Commission. Eleven are appointed by the Mayor with City Council consent, and one is appointed by the City Council President. The Commissioner of Housing and Community Development serves ex officio. The Mayor names the Chair. The Commission appoints the Executive Director (City Code, Art. 6, secs. 2-1 through 2-5).
OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY
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The Community Planning and Revitalization Division began as the Comprehensive Planning Division, and adopted its present name in 2019.
BOARD OF MUNICIPAL & ZONING APPEALS
The Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals holds public hearings to hear requests for variances, conditional uses, and appeals relating to the City Code. The Board hears and decides appeals where it is alleged there is any error in any zoning order, requirement, decision, or determination. It also interprets district boundaries on official zoning maps. Upon appeal, in specific cases, the Board may authorize such variances as will not be contrary to the public interest where, owing to special conditions, a literal enforcement would result in unnecessary hardship or practical difficulty.
The Planning Commission investigates, studies, and makes reommendations on land uses, the development of subdivisions of land, and zoning within the City. A master plan for the proposed physical development of the City is adopted and revised by the Commission. In addition, the Commission recommends to the Board of Estimates a capital budget for inclusion in the Ordinance of Estimates, and a long-range capital improvement program (City Charter, secs. 70-80).
The Division is aided by the Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation.
COMMISSION FOR HISTORICAL & ARCHITECTURAL PRESERVATION
The Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation was created in 1964 as an independent unit within the Department of Planning.
The Office of Sustainability is assisted by the Commission on Sustainability.
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e-mail: mdmanual@maryland.gov
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