Sec. 34.01.03.01. Definitions

A. In this chapter, the following words have the meanings indicated.

B. Terms Defined.

(1) "Area plan" means the approved, officially adopted statement of a legislative body, chief executive, or regional council that sets forth major policies concerning future physical development for a planning area smaller than the jurisdiction as a whole.

(2) "Department" means the Department of Planning.

(3) "Depository" means the State Depository of Plans established by the Department in accordance with State Finance and Procurement Article, §5-501, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(4) Functional Plan.

(a) "Functional plan" means the approved, officially adopted statement of a legislative body, chief executive, or regional council that sets forth major policies concerning one specific aspect of future physical development, generally on a jurisdiction-wide basis.

(b) "Functional plan" may address governmental services, such as sewerage and water, fire and police stations, education, or parks and recreation, or it may address development issues, such as historic and agricultural preservation, housing, economic development, community renewal, transportation, or water quality.

(c) "Functional plan" has a physical dimension. It does not consist solely of service provision programs.

(5) General Plan.

(a) "General plan" means the approved, officially adopted statement of a legislative body, chief executive, or regional council that sets forth major policies concerning future physical development for the entire geographic area of the jurisdiction.

(b) "General plan" includes the following primary elements:

(i) Land use element;

(ii) Transportation element; and

(iii) Community facilities element.

(c) "General plan" is based on demographic, economic, and physical surveys and projections that are integral to, but may not be included in, the plan document itself.

(d) The term "general plan" does not include legal and programmatic documents, such as subdivision regulations, zoning ordinances, and capital improvement programs. However, these documents are based on the general plan, are guided by it, and are the basic tools to implement it. Thus, these documents are integral parts of the jurisdiction's physical development process.