Private land-use decisions are influenced by a network of county and municipal comprehensive plans, related zoning and subdivision ordinances, and expenditures for infrastructure by the State and local governments. In its 1997 Session, the Maryland General Assembly strengthened the State's response to the continuing and damaging effects of suburban sprawl by enacting Governor Parris N. Glendening's Smart Growth and Neighborhood Conservation Initiative. The 1997 Smart Growth and Neighborhood Conservation Initiative employs fiscal and programmatic resources to improve the health and vitality of Maryland's cities and towns and preserve the State's rural landscapes, while assuring that our growing and diverse population has a variety of places to live and work. It uses the power of planning and financial incentives to transform this concept into reality. The Smart Growth legislation designated baseline Priority Funding Areas throughout Maryland.
Counties can designate additional PFAs as well.
Areas eligible for county designation are existing communities and areas where industrial and economic development are desired, in addition to areas planned for new residential communities which will be served by sewer and water systems and meet density standards established by the legislation. After this date, the State was prohibited from funding growth related infrastructure highways, sewer and water construction, housing and economic development assistance not located in these PFAs. Rural Legacy Program . The Rural Legacy Program was created in 1997 to protect large contiguous tracts of Maryland's most precious cultural and natural resource lands. Protection is provided through the acquisition of easements and fee estates from willing landowners, and the supporting activities of Rural Legacy Sponsors and local governments.