From Staff Reports Cumberland Times-News
OAKLAND — Garrett County commissioners are asking Gov. Martin O’Malley to take a cautious approach in implementing PlanMaryland.
The commissioners adopted a resolution Tuesday recommending that counties with less than 1 percent population growth over the last decade be exempt from PlanMaryland. Such a provision would apply to Garrett and Allegany counties, according to the 2010 census.
The state Department of Planning is scheduled to submit a final version of the regulations to the governor by mid-November.
PlanMaryland is O’Malley’s initiative to improve land development and create more cooperation between state and local agencies and was unveiled in April. Since then, a number of counties have voiced concern about the program, fearing that the authority of local planning agencies would be usurped.
In their resolution, approved Tuesday, the commissioners said, “The growth issues that Garrett County will face over the next few years are different than those faced in the urban and suburban areas of the state of Maryland and nationwide. The board believes that land management should be left to local jurisdictions as it is local jurisdictions that best understand their local growth challenges and needs.
“This proposed plan, as it applies to Garrett County, has the potential to stifle and suppress growth opportunities instead of incentivizing them. The board does not want to become an impoverished ward of the State of Maryland.
“Garrett County has resources that will allow the county to contribute to our own unique way. Embracing and acknowledging diversity gives our state and ultimately county and municipal governments strength and resiliency.”
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