(a) The municipal growth element shall include: (1) the municipal corporation’s: (i) future municipal growth areas outside the existing corporate limits; (ii) past growth patterns; (iii) capacity of land areas available for development, redevelopment, and in–fill; (2) the land area needed to satisfy demand for development at densities consistent with long–term development policy; (3) the relationship of the long–term development policy to a vision of the municipal corporation’s future character; (4) rural buffers and transition areas; (5) protection of sensitive areas that could be impacted by development planned within the proposed municipal growth area; (6) population growth projections; (7) public services and infrastructure needed to accommodate growth within the proposed municipal growth areas, including those necessary for: (i) libraries; (ii) recreation; (iii) water and sewerage facilities; (iv) public safety, including emergency medical response; (v) stormwater management systems sufficient to ensure water quality both inside and outside the proposed municipal growth area; and (vi) public schools sufficient to accommodate student population consistent with State rated systems sufficient to ensure water quality both inside and outside the proposed municipal growth area; and (vi) public schools sufficient to accommodate student population consistent with State rated capacity standards established by the Interagency Commission on School Construction; (8) any burden on services and infrastructure for which the municipal corporation would be responsible for development in areas near to and outside of the proposed municipal growth area; and (9) anticipated financing mechanisms to support necessary public services and infrastructure. (b) On request of a municipal corporation, the Department of Planning shall provide technical assistance for the purposes of developing the municipal growth element of the comprehensive plan.
Maryland Legal Code