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Town hires Wallace Montgomery to lead comprehensive plan update; public outreach to begin
Summary
Consultants Michael Bayer and Nicole Wiley outlined an 18-month comprehensive-plan update for Elkton covering land use, housing, transportation, water and natural resources; the effort will include surveys, stakeholder interviews and public meetings with a target completion of August 2027.
Consultants Michael Bayer and Nicole Wiley of Wallace Montgomery presented the kick-off for the Town of Elkton's comprehensive plan update at the Planning Commission meeting on March 9.
Bayer, who said he previously worked on Elkton's 2010 plan, summarized the project's purpose: "to establish a long-term vision for the next 10 to 20 years, including goals, policies, and implementation strategies to guide future growth and development." The scope will meet State-required elements (land use, housing, transportation, water resources, community facilities, natural resources) and will place particular emphasis on land use, growth projections and infrastructure capacity.
Wiley described outreach that will include town-wide surveys, stakeholder interviews and public meetings to gather input across demographics and geographies. The consultants said they will review existing plans, coordinate with the Maryland Department of Planning, analyze demographic trends and development capacity under current zoning, and produce a strengths/weaknesses/opportunities/threats analysis to inform policy choices. The consultants projected an 18-month schedule with a target completion date of August 2027 and said work sessions will generally be held during regular Planning Commission meetings.
Commissioners asked whether forthcoming State-level guidance on housing or zoning could limit local control. Bayer said State guidance is still evolving and may influence the process but that the Town retains discretion in developing and implementing the plan; infrastructure capacity (water, sewer, transportation) will remain a key determinant of feasible growth.
Why it matters: The comprehensive plan sets the Town's policy framework for physical growth, housing, infrastructure and land-use decisions for the coming decade and will guide capital projects, zoning updates and budget priorities.
Next steps: Consultants will begin data collection and public outreach and return to the Commission with draft materials and public engagement opportunities.
