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City of Baltimore's Comprehensive Master Plan - FAQ

What is a Comprehensive Master Plan?
A comprehensive master plan consists of a study of existing area conditions and a discussion of future trends, goals, and objectives. Comprehensive plans deal with land-use issues such as land-use patterns, zoning and housing stock; population, roadways, and other infrastructure are usually the principle elements that are studied. In some cases, educational facilities along with recreation and other government facilities are also reviewed.


For the City of Baltimore, the Comprehensive Master Plan is the culminating effort of the planning process. The document is official in nature, meaning that city government should adopt it into law. Upon adoption, the Plan is to be used as a policy guide for decisions concerning development within the city.

Why is a Comprehensive Master Plan important to Baltimore City?
Baltimore City has been without a Comprehensive Master Plan for thirty-four years. Because of this there has been no formal and holistic direction for land use, economic development, educational enhancement, and quality of life initiatives. The Plan offers support to the City’s efforts to leverage investment, policy and programming to maximize economic opportunity and the quality of life for all citizens of Baltimore over the next six years
Who is conducting the planning process?
The Planning Commission, with the help of its staff in the Baltimore City Department of Planning, is spearheading the Comprehensive Master Plan efforts. The Commission approached the CMP as Baltimore City’s business plan in an effort to build on the tremendous success of an effort known as “PlanBaltimore” in the late 1990s. PlanBaltimore involved thousands of residents in creating a vision for the future of Baltimore City. While it was not formally adopted, it created the framework for what Baltimoreans want their city to be. The Comprehensive Master Plan has updated this vision and focused on the implementation steps needed to make the vision a reality.
What are the stages that will lead to the Plan's adoption?
Community and stakeholder input is paramount for the Plan’s success. Now that a draft is complete, the Planning Commission will host nine district meetings to present the Plan to the community and get their feedback. Residents will also have an opportunity to provide input via the Plan’s dedicated website, LIVEEARNPLAYLEARN.com. Once the meetings have concluded, the Plan will then be revised to reflect the comments received and presented to the Planning Commission and City Council for adoption.
What's the timeline for implementation?
The draft will be released for public comment on February 2nd. The nine community forums will begin on February 21st and run through April 1st. The Planning Commission is expected to adopt the Plan on April 20th. It will then be submitted to the City Council for ratification in mid-July.
How can interested parties participate in the process?
The Planning Commission is striving for maximum community involvement. It has scheduled one community forum in each of the nine planning districts in Baltimore City. At the forums participants will be given an opportunity to talk to Department of Planning staff first-hand and offer suggestions for improving the Plan. It is of the utmost importance to the Planning Commission that the Plan reflect community concerns. The participation of Baltimore’s diverse community is essential.
How can you become part of the Plan?
Publicize the Comprehensive Plan via email and print and online newsletters. Put up notices in public libraries. Post community forum dates and other relevant information in print and online newsletters. Encourage residents, students and patrons to visit LIVEEARNPLAYLEARN.com for updates. Add community forum dates to your newsletter’s Calendar of Events. Write an interest article about the Comprehensive Master Plan. If you’d like to set up an interview, please contact us at 410 396 PLAN.
Who has participated?
In October 2005 the LIVE EARN PLAY LEARN groups held three open house sessions to gain citizen input during the Plan development process. Stakeholder meetings were also held that fall to gain the input of professionals outside of City government who are closely involved in all aspects of improving City life. Additionally, elected and appointed officials and representatives from City agencies have assisted the Department of Planning in producing recommendations contained in the draft plan. The review of the draft plan represents one more opportunity for all of these groups to affect the final Comprehensive Master Plan.
Fri. July 4, 2008

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