ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MARYLAND

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

PLANNING

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

The County Economic Development Program is run by the Economic Development Corporation, which serves as a catalyst for business growth in the County. As such, the Corporation works to increase job opportunities, expand the tax base, and improve citizens’ quality of life. To do so, it provides to the public services, including financing, site selection assistance, permitting and zoning guidance, workforce development support, community revitalization, market research, and small business counseling and resources. The Corporation also seeks to enhance commercial districts, improve infrastructure, and grow and promote business sectors, such as technology, agriculture, and maritime within the County.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors of the Economic Development Corporation consists of thirteen members, who serve two-year terms. Seven are appointed by the County Executive; and six are elected by the Board of Directors. Previously, the Board was made of eleven members. New seats were added in 2014 and 2019.

OFFICE OF PLANNING & ZONING

Matters relating to planning and zoning are governed by both State and County laws. The Maryland Forest Conservation Act, for example, requires all county governments to adopt local forest conservation programs (Chapter 255, Acts of 1991; Code Natural Resources Article, secs. 5-1601 through 5-1613).

Under the Office are six divisions: Cultural Resources; Development; Long-Range Planning; Research and GIS; Transportation Planning; and Zoning. The Office also is aided by the Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board; the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Transformation Functional Master Plan; the Glen Burnie Town Center Advisory Committee; the Odenton Town Plan Oversight Committee; and the Planning Advisory Board.

Office of Planning & Zoning, Heritage Office Complex, 2664 Riva Road, Annapolis, Maryland, March 2017. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD
The Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board advises the County Council on the establishment of agricultural districts and the approval of purchases of easements within the County by the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation.

The Advisory Board is composed of five members who are appointed to five-year terms by the County Council (Code Agriculture Article, sec. 2-504.1).

PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD
The Planning Advisory Board reviews proposed capital projects annually, and also reviews the General Development Plan, Small Area Plans, and various facility master plans, such as the Solid Waste Master Plan and the Water and Sewer Master Plan.

Seven members constitute the Board. They are appointed to five-year terms by the County Executive who names the Chair (Code Land Use Article, secs. 2-101 through 2-105; County Charter, secs. 532, 533).

SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
A soil conservation district constitutes a political subdivision of the State, and a public body corporate and politic, excercising public powers. The District's Board of Supervisors conducts surveys, investigations, and research relating to the character of soil erosion. Within the District, the Board carries out preventive and control measures, including engineering operations, cultivation methods, the growing of vegetation, changes in land use, and other measures.

The Soil Conservation District Board of Supervisors consists six members who serve five-year terms. Five members are appointed by the State Soil Conservation Committee, and one is appointed by the County Executive with County Council consent (Code Agriculture Article, secs. 8-301 through 8-312).

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