City of Laurel Master Plan Goals, Objectives, and Policies ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF LAUREL ____________ ____, 2016 – ORDINANCE NO. ____ February 2016 Draft 8103 SANDY SPRING ROAD LAUREL, MARYLAND CITY OF LAUREL Mayor: Craig A. Moe City Council: H. Edward Ricks, President Michael R. Leszcz, President Pro Tem Valerie M. A. Nicholas, First Ward Donna L. Crary, Second Ward Frederick Smalls, Second Ward In Conjunction With the Planning Commission Mitzi R Betman, Chairwoman John R. Kish, Vice Chairman Frederick Smalls, Ex-Officio Member Bill Wellford Donald E. Williford G. Rick Wilson And the Master Plan Review Committee Richard Armstrong Pam Brown Toni Drake Samuel Epps Roy P. Gilmore Douglas Hayes Steve Meyerer Luther Roberts G. Rick Wilson __________ ___, 2016 1 ABSTRACT Title City of Laurel Master Plan Author: Department of Community Planning and Business Services Maps: Department of Information Technology Subject: Master Plan for the City of Laurel. Elements include land use, municipal growth, community facilities, water resources, public safety, transportation, recreation, sensitive areas, and implementation. Date: __________ ____, 2016 Abstract: This document sets forth recommendations for the future development and growth of the City. Specific recommendations are made for the many elements integral to the functioning of the City including land use proposals, transportation concerns, capital improvements and the physical and living environments. The focus of the document is to provide a long- range plan for the retention of the traditional characteristics of Laurel with the integration of future land use development. 2 ORDINANCE NO. ____ AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE AND ADOPT A MASTER PLAN FOR THE CITY OF LAUREL Sponsored by the President at the request of the Administration. WHEREAS, the City of Laurel Planning Commission (hereinafter "the Com- mission") was charged pursuant to Maryland Land Use Code Annotated, Division I. Single-Jurisdiction Planning and Zoning, Title 3. Comprehensive Plan, §3-101 (2014), to make and approve a proposed Master Plan (hereinafter "the Plan") and to thereafter recommend the same to the City Council of Laurel for adoption, the Plan to serve as a guide for public and private actions and decisions to insure the development of public and private property in appropriate relationships, including in such Plan any areas outside of its boundaries which, in the Commission's judgment, are related to the planning responsibilities of the Commission; and WHEREAS, the Plan was proposed with the assistance of a Master Plan Review Committee which held a number of public hearings and made recommendations regarding the Plan; and WHEREAS, in the preparation of the Plan, the Commission was required to make, and did make, careful and comprehensive surveys and studies of present conditions and future anticipated growth of the City of Laurel, with due regard to its relation to neighboring territory; and WHEREAS, the Plan was required to be and was made for the general purpose of guiding and accomplishing the coordinated, adjusted, and harmonious development of the City of Laurel and its environs which will, in accordance with present and future needs, best promote health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity, and general welfare, as well as efficiency and economy in the process of development, including 3 among other things, adequate provisions for traffic, the promotion of public safety, adequate provision for light and air, conservation of natural resources, the prevention of environmental pollution, the promotion of the healthful and convenient distribution of population, the promotion of good civic design and arrangement, wise and efficient expenditure of public funds, and the adequate provision of public utilities and recreation facilities, and other public requirements; and WHEREAS, before recommending the adoption of the Plan, the Commission was required to, and did hold, at least one public hearing thereon, notice of the time and place of which having been given by one publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Laurel; and WHEREAS, at least 60 days prior to the public hearing held by the Commission, copies of the recommended Plan were referred to all adjoining planning jurisdictions and to all state and local jurisdictions that have responsibility for financing or constructing public improvements necessary to implement the Plan; and WHEREAS, the City of Laurel Planning Commission approved the Plan on _________ __, 2016 by a majority of its membership, and did thereby recommend the Plan to the Mayor and City Council of Laurel for adoption; and WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the Plan and wishes to adopt the Plan, with certain modifications, a copy of the Plan being attached hereto as Attachment "A" and incorporated herein by reference. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ENACTED AND ORDAINED, by the Mayor and City Council of Laurel that the Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto as Attachment "A" and is incorporated herein by reference, be and the same is hereby approved and adopted as and for the 2016 Master Plan of the City of Laurel. 4 AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED AND ORDAINED, that this Ordinance shall take effect from the date of its adoption. PASSED this __th day of __________, 2016. ATTEST: ______________________________ _____________________________ KIMBERLY A. RAU, MMC H. EDWARD RICKS Clerk to the City Council President of the City Council APPROVED this ___ day of ______, 2016. ______________________________ CRAIG A. MOE Mayor 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page I INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 10 Background ................................................................................................................. 10 Legal Status ................................................................................................................. 11 Planning Area Boundary .............................................................................................. 11 II. PLAN PERSPECTIVE ................................................................................................. 13 History ......................................................................................................................... 13 Regional Location ........................................................................................................ 17 Natural Environment .................................................................................................... 20 III. POPULATION TRENDS AND CHARACTERISTICS .................................................. 23 Area Population Trends ............................................................................................... 23 Population Characteristics ........................................................................................... 27 Projected Population .................................................................................................... 35 IV. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ........................................................................................ 37 State Visions ................................................................................................................ 37 Planning Goals and Objectives .................................................................................... 49 General Goals ............................................................................................................. 50 Land Use ..................................................................................................................... 51 Historic Preservation .................................................................................................... 52 Municipal Growth ......................................................................................................... 52 Housing ....................................................................................................................... 53 Community Facilities .................................................................................................... 54 Water Resources ......................................................................................................... 54 Public Safety ................................................................................................................ 57 Transportation ............................................................................................................. 58 Recreation ................................................................................................................... 59 Senior Citizens ............................................................................................................ 59 Sensitive Areas ............................................................................................................ 60 V. LAND USE ELEMENT ................................................................................................ 62 Overview...................................................................................................................... 62 Land Use Designations ................................................................................................ 68 Mixed Use – Transportation Oriented .......................................................................... 73 Revitalization Overlay Areas ........................................................................................ 76 Arts