DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING

DEFUNCT AGENCIES

ADMINISTRATION
Reorganized as Operations in March 2010.

ANNEXATION WORK GROUP
Staff: Patricia A. Goucher (410) 767-4551; e-mail: pgoucher@mdp.state.md.us

Chair: Audrey E. Scott, Secretary of Planning

Appointed by Secretary of Planning: James R. Cohen, Ph.D.

Representing Maryland Association of Counties: James J. Cannelli; Edward H. Hammond, Jr., Esq., Hilary B. Spence.

Representing Maryland Municipal League: Jon L. Arason; David Thompson; Barrie Parsons Tilghman.

At request of Maryland Association of Counties and Maryland Municipal League, Secretary of Planning convened Annexation Work group in April 2005. Work group considered interjurisdictional growth issues, specifically those relating to annexation.

Completed its work in 2005.

BANNEKER-DOUGLASS MUSEUM OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY & CULTURE
With Commission on African-American History and Culture, transferred to Governor's Office of Community Initiatives, July 1, 2008 (Chapter 521, Acts of 2008).

COMMISSION ON AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY & CULTURE
Under Division of Historical and Cultural Programs, transferred to Governor's Office of Community Initiatives, July 1, 2008 (Chapter 521, Acts of 2008).

COMMUNICATIONS & INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
Renamed Communications in July 2008.

COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING
Under State and Local Planning, renamed Planning Coordination and Resource Management in Fall 1997.

CULTURAL CONSERVATION
Under Maryland Historical Trust, Cultural Conservation focused on intangible historic and cultural resources, including oral history, folklife, and regional traditions. It conducted field research and oral history projects, and prepared publications and audiovisual materials.

Abolished in Sept. 2009 due to budgetary constraints.

ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING
Under Planning Services, renamed Land-Use Planning and Analysis in Nov. 2003.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE & EASEMENTS UNIT
Under Maryland Historical Trust, renamed Historic Preservation Easement Program within Office of Preservation Services in June 2009.

INTERAGENCY ECONOMIC GROWTH, RESOURCE PROTECTION, & PLANNING COMMITTEE
Last met in 1994.

LAND USE PLANNING & ANALYSIS
Under Planning Services, renamed Resource Conservation Planning in July 2004.

LOCAL PLANNING
Under Planning Services, reorganized as Smart Growth and Community Development in July 2005.

OFFICE OF ARCHAEOLOGY
Office of Archaeology began in 1968 as Division of Archaeology under Maryland Geological Survey (Chapter 541, Acts of 1968). In 1990, archaeological functions of Survey were combined with archaeology staff of Maryland Historical Trust, and Division reformed as Office of Archaeology within Maryland Historical Trust (Chapter 57, Acts of 1990). In 1992, Office was placed under Office of Management, Planning, and Educational Outreach, and with that office in Oct. 2005 transferred to Department of Planning.

Office of Archaeology directed Maryland archaeological research, synthesized research data, and promoted further research. Office participated in excavation of significant historical or archaeological sites in custody or control of a State agency. It coordinated retrieval and preservation of objects of archaeological significance discovered during course of public construction in State. Office also encouraged preservation of prehistoric or historic sites located on private property.

Publishing reports of its research and investigations, Office made educational materials available to schools to teach students about how natives and early settlers of Maryland lived. For museums, institutions of higher education, and scientific or historical institutions, Office made available objects and materials that showed archaeological history of State and helped these institutions preserve and protect archaeological items in their custody. In addition, Office trained interested citizens to identify, investigate, and register terrestrial and submerged archaeological historic property.

Head of Office was Chief Archaeologist. Within Office of Archaeology were Terrestrial Archaeology Program, and Underwater Archaeology Program. Office also was assisted by Advisory Committee on Archaeology (Code State Finance & Procurement Article, secs. 5A-333 through 5A-346).

Under Maryland Historical Trust, archaeological functions of Office dispersed to other offices in Oct. 2007.

OFFICE OF HERITAGE PLANNING & OUTREACH
Under Maryland Historical Trust, reorganized as Heritage Area and Museum Programs within Office of Preservation, Planning and Museum Programs in Oct. 2007.

OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT, PLANNING, & EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH
In 1989, Office of Management, Planning, and Educational Outreach originated as Office of Management and Planning. It became Office of Management, Planning, and Educational Outreach in 1992, resumed its former name in 1996, and returned to Office of Management, Planning, and Educational Outreach in 1997. Under Maryland Historical Trust, it reorganized as Office of Heritage Planning and Outreach in May 2007.

OFFICE OF MUSEUM SERVICES
Under Maryland Historical Trust, reorganized as Heritage Area and Museum Programs within Office of Preservation, Planning and Museum Programs in Oct. 2007.

OFFICE OF PLANNING
Renamed Department of Planning on July 1, 2000 (Chapter 209, Acts of 2000).

PLAN & PROJECT REVIEW
Under State and Local Planning, renamed Clearinghouse and Plan Review Section in Fall 1997.

PLANNING ASSISTANCE & NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT
Reorganized as Local Planning in March 2003.

PLANNING ASSISTANCE & REVIEW
Under State and Local Planning, renamed Planning Assistance and Neighborhood Development in Fall 1997.

PLANNING COORDINATION & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
In March 2003, reorganized as Environmental Planning, with some functions dispersed to Infrastructure Planning.

PLANNING DATA SERVICES
Under Planning Services, restructured as Data Planning Services in March 2010.

REHABILITATION TAX CREDIT UNIT
Under Maryland Historical Trust, reorganized as Preservation Financial Incentives within Office of Preservation Services.

RESOURCE CONSERVATION PLANNING
Resource Conservation Planning originated as Comprehensive Planning, became Planning Coordination and Resource Management in 1997, was renamed Environmental Planning in March 2003, Land-Use Planning and Analysis in November 2003, and became Resource Conservation Planning in July 2004. It developed and promoted policies to support sustainable communities, neighborhood conservation, land preservation, and natural resources protection. Special attention was accorded to land use and growth, agriculture and forest preservation, restoration and protection of Chesapeake Bay, open space and recreation planning, and implementation of Patuxent River Policy Plan. This division also provided technical support for Patuxent River Commission.

Under Planning Services, reorganized as Land and Water Resources in July 2008.

SMART CODES STRATEGY GROUP
Replaced by Maryland Building Rehabilitation Code Advisory Council under Department of Housing and Community Development in July 2000.

SMART GROWTH & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Smart Growth and Community Development began in 1989 as Local Planning Assistance, became Planning Assistance and Review in 1994, Planning Assistance and Neighborhood Development in 1997, Local Planning in March 2003, and reformed as Smart Growth and Community Development in July 2005. This office was responsible for Office of Smart Growth, Technical Assistance, and four regional offices.

Smart Growth and Community Development helped local governments improve their planning and management, develop long-range comprehensive plans, and implement programs for economic growth and resource protection. It provided technical services mandated by State laws, such as Economic Growth, Resource Protection and Planning Act and Chesapeake Bay Critical Areas Act.

To help counties and municipalities, Smart Growth and Community Development prepared technical models and guidelines. It administered technical assistance grants from Appalachian Regional Commission for studies and helped communities realize economic development opportunities and meet objectives. To manage growth and solve problems, it offered education and outreach programs. Circuit rider staff assisted Eastern Shore municipalities in implementing Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Protection programs. Smart Growth and Community Development consulted with, guided, and advised county and municipal staff, citizen planning commissions, and elected officials through four regional offices at Annapolis, Centreville, Cumberland, and Salisbury.

Under Planning Services, Smart Growth and Community Development reorganized as Land Use Analysis in May 2007.

STATE & LOCAL PLANNING
Reorganized as Planning Services in March 2003.

STATE ECONOMIC GROWTH, RESOURCE PROTECTION, & PLANNING COMMISSION
Authorization expired July 1, 2003.

STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT
Functions dispersed in May 2007.

SUBCOMMITTEE ON PLANNING
Under State Economic Growth, Resource Protection, and Planning Commission, last met in 1997.

SUBCOMMITTEE ON REVIEW OF PLANNING & ZONING LEGISLATION
Under State Economic Growth, Resource Protection, and Planning Commission, concluded its work in July 1998.

SYSTEMS SUPPORT
Created in 1989, Systems Support provided in-depth hardware, software, Internet, imaging and database management support. As a unit of Planning Data Services, Systems Support typically used specialized microcomputer, mainframe and networking skills to support projects, such as development of a World Wide Web connection to distribute census information and socio-economic projections via Internet. File transfer support services also were provided. In addition, Systems Support provided leadership for Data Standards Subcommittee of Maryland State Government Geographic Information Coordinating Committee and data aggregations and analysis for a variety of projects.