Monthly Executive Committee Meeting (online)

APA will host virtual office hours that explain the three steps to AICP certification on the following dates:

• Wednesday., February 12, 2025, Noon to 1:00 PM CST (Register Here)

• Monday, March 10, 2025, 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM CST (Register Here)

Attend this webinar to hear from planners in Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia and their perspectives on how the topic of affordable housing is being addressed in 6 states across the mid-Atlantic.

More information coming soon.

Last Updated 1/12/2025

Monthly online Executive Committee Meeting

The American Planning Association will be hosting a New Year, New You, New Exam Prep Materials webinar on Thursday, January 16, 2025, from 11:00 AM to Noon CST. According to APA, “this meeting will discuss One Path to AICP as well as focus on exam prep. Speakers include Jordan Yin, AICP (volunteer who orchestrated the new content outline videos and slides) and Andy Cross, AICP (PDO of the IL Chapter). Questions will follow.”

For more exam prep information, please visit the AICP Accreditation information on the APA Maryland webpage here.

Participants of this live webinar are eligible for 1.5 AICP CM credits.

This webinar will explore land use and zoning’s impact on equity and affordable housing. The focus will be a case study of the process known as Cville Plans Together, and how Charlottesville, Virginia moved from controversy around the events of 2017 to plan for and implement regulations that support the development of more equitable housing options in the city. This webinar is presented in partnership with the Maryland Chapter of the American Planning Association and the Smart Growth Network.

Find out more and register for this free webinar via the link below.

Agriculture is one of the biggest industries and largest land uses in the MidAtlantic region. In this webinar, planners will learn about the impacts of a changing climate on agriculture and proven resilience strategies to help the agricultural community mitigate impacts and adapt to future conditions. Case studies will help attendees understand how planners can have a role in supporting climate smart agriculture and fostering a resilient, sustainable and innovative future for agricultural communities.

In rural communities across the U.S., prime agricultural land is being targeted for large-scale solar farm development, in part to meet state and national renewable energy goals. States are also setting goals for the preservation of prime agricultural lands. Agrivoltaics, the use of land for both agriculture and solar photovoltaic energy generation, is touted as a potential solution. 

This webinar will explore local government's role in the development of solar agrivoltaics, including developing codes and ordinances. Speakers will also share lessons learned on managing public expectations and project implementation realities​.

Participants of this live webinar are eligible for 1.5 AICP CM credits. or 1 AICP Law Credit.

Interested in learning more about the AICP Exam process? Consider registering for APA Office Hours on September 12, 2024, at 3:00 PM ET here. During Office Hours, you will hear firsthand about the AICP Exam process and be able to ask AICP Staff questions in preparation for taking and passing the AICP Exam. 

Learn about proposed enhancements in the Wilmington Area Planning Council’s East Elkton Plan. Presentation and Site Visit at a nearby park, followed by networking at Chili’s sponsored by the APA Transportation Planning Division.

Learn more about the plan here: http://www.wilmapco.org/east-elkton/

.75 CM Credits Available

Contact: Bill Swiatek, AICP (bswiatek@wilmapco.org)

The time has arrived to honor the great planning work performed throughout Maryland. The Maryland Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA MD) and the Maryland Planning Commissioners Association (MPCA) 2024 Awards Ceremony will take place the evening of Monday, October 21 during the 2024 Joint Conference at the Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City. Everyone interested in planning and sustainable development in Maryland is encouraged to attend the conference and submit award nominations. 

Do you know a professional planner, citizen planner, engaged citizen, entire staff team, or planning board (planning commission, board of zoning appeals, historic district commission) that deserves recognition for their work in 2023 or 2024? Maryland planners, both professional and citizen, devote endless hours to their communities. APA MD, and the MPCA want to make sure we don’t overlook this dedication, and you can help.

A downloadable nomination form, which also includes more information about the awards categories and criteria by which the Awards Committee will review submissions and determine awardees for the 2024 Maryland Planning Awards, can be found on the APA MD and MPCA conference webpages. There is no fee to submit a nomination.

We look forward to learning about the great planning work happening around the state and seeing everyone at the 2024 Joint Conference! If you have any questions concerning eligibility or submission requirements, please contact Joe Griffiths, Awards Committee Chair, at joseph.griffiths@maryland.gov and he will work with the Awards Committee to best respond to your inquiry. 

The following timeline shows the deadlines for submittals, committee review, and applicant notification.

• August 30th – Nominations deadline 

• August 30th through September 6th – Committee review of nominations 

• September 6th – Notify applicants 

• October 21st – Awards ceremony 

Please consider the important contributions of your colleagues and citizen planners this year and submit recognition nominations to contact@apamaryland.org no later than 4:30 PM on Friday, August 30. Please submit the form, including all submission components, as found on the APA MD and MPCA conference webpages.

1.5 CM # 9293349
Join us for a webinar tailored for urban and regional planners focused on enhancing community resilience against climate-related vulnerabilities such as flooding, sea level rise, and extreme heat. This session will cover the latest national, state, and local developments in climate resilience planning, emphasizing data standards, best practices, inclusive stakeholder engagement, and effective strategies. Attendees will gain valuable insights and practical steps to integrate climate resilience into their planning processes, ensuring their communities are prepared for current and future climate impacts. Register today to equip yourself with the tools and knowledge needed to build resilient and sustainable communities.
 
SPEAKERS
Matt Hutchins
CEO, Fernleaf

Sean Lahav 
Resilience Market Leader, Halff
 

Participants of this live webinar are eligible for 1.5 AICP CM credits.

Unprecedented heat waves, storms of the century, and devastating fires are impacting communities across the country. While large-scale interventions in policy and technology are necessary to preserve the planet, the most impactful adaptation solutions often originate at the local level. However, with something as large as the climate crisis, it can be hard for local communities to know where to begin.

This webinar, featuring Cate Mingoya, Author of Climate Action for Busy People, and Mara Parker, Montgomery County, MD Climate Adaptation Program Manager, will present a roadmap with helpful case studies for anyone who wants to boost their community’s climate resilience and move the needle toward environmental justice.

Find out more and register for this free webinar via the link below.

Join the Mid-Atlantic Planning Collaboration for the next webinar in the resiliency series, highlighting the resilience planning efforts at the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) recognizes the critical role transportation plays in fostering societal well-being, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. In the face of increasing challenges posed by climate change, extreme weather events, and other disruptions, NCDOT is committed to ensuring the resilience of its transportation infrastructure.

Do you want to beautify your community, improve public health, increase property values, build climate resilience and help meet your stormwater obligations all in one? Then plant trees! Using new resources, find out if your planning documents are forest-friendly and where you can expand or maintain your community's tree canopy. A case study from the Washington Metropolitan region will explore the opportunity of local government collaboration and a case study from Greensboro, NC will highlight how forestry can be integrated into municipal planning.

Moderator: Hanna Cockburn, North Carolina Chapter of APA

Panelists: 

• Julie Mawhorter, US Forest Service

• Judson Clinton, Greensboro, NC

• Mike Knapp, Montgomery County, MD

Fields of Progress: Cultivating Success for Agricultural Expansion

Join the Maryland Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA Maryland) on Thursday, May 23, as four experts examine the ever-changing nature of agriculture and agritourism in Southern Maryland.

This day-long session will look at the evolving landscape and significance of agriculture and agritourism in the region, examine activities that go beyond the traditional farming of crops and cattle, and explore county and state regulations that affect growth in these sectors.

The event begins at 9 a.m. and runs through 4 p.m. at Fridays Creek Winery, 3845 Chaneyville Road, in Owings, MD. The event begins at 9 a.m. and runs through 4 p.m. at Fridays Creek Winery, 3845 Chaneyville Road, in Owings, MD. A wine tasting will be held at 4 p.m. Following the conference, participants can participate in an optional wine tasting for an additional $10 (this will be paid at the event).

Speakers include:

Ron Marney, AICP, CFM, Calvert County Environmental Planning Regulator, who will discuss how to align proposed uses for farms and agritourism activities with county and state regulations.

Craig Sewell, Program Director, Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, who will discuss the support the Commission provides for farmers and producers to support the sustainability of agriculture.

Bernie Fowler, Founder of Farming 4 Hunger, Inc., who will explain how the program, rooted in southern Maryland, has expanded its reach beyond state and national borders. By collaborating with farmers and communities, this initiative goes beyond food provision, by emphasizing the importance of coming together to address broader needs beyond hunger relief.

Rich Cleary, co-owner of Fridays Creek Winery, will explain his company’s efforts to transition from traditional farming to cultivating grapes while working to foster a sense of community by establishing a welcoming space. This endeavor has required adapting to new agricultural practices, mastering the art of winemaking, and navigating regulatory hurdles.

Four AICP CM credits are available for session participants.

You're invited to participate in a webinar on Friday, May 10, 2024, from 12-1:15 pm to learn and share about the water resources impacts of data centers and solar fields in the Potomac basin and tools to mitigate and prevent those impacts. This exciting event is being held as part of the implementation of the Potomac Basin Comprehensive Water Resources Plan. The panel will feature speakers from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District, and Loudoun Water. Presentations will be followed by Q&A with participants. 

Participate in a Smart Growth Summit intended to take stock of smart growth in Maryland and set the agenda for its future. The Summit will feature national experts and local stakeholders in a series of plenary and breakout sessions. Make your voice heard and please register early.  

Learn more about the event, including recent smart growth survey results, on see the event page here. Space is limited.

DMV Urban Planning + Design Professionals

This will be an opportunity for planners and designers–from entry level to senior executives–to network, share their professional experiences, and toast to fellowship. We will provide games, music, light hors d'oeuvres, and limited wine. Guests have the option to purchase additional food and beverages from the As You Are Menu. 

Price of admission is $10, all forms of payment will be accepted at the door.

Brought to you by: Valecia Wilson, Ebony Dumas, Jess Williams, and Matt Jones

When: March 27th @ 6pm 

Where: 500 8th Street Southeast, Washington, DC 20003

Human Transit: How Clearer Thinking about Public Transit Can Enrich Our Communities and Our Lives

Thursday, March 21 at 1:00 p.m. ET

Participants of this live webinar are eligible for 1.5 AICP CM credits.

Transportation expert Jarrett Walker believes that transit can be simple, if we focus on the underlying geometry that all transit systems share. Jarrett’s gift is being able to break down the basic principles of public transit so that you may have the tools necessary to clarify and advocate for your own values.

Join Walker as he talks about his new book, Human Transit, and offers guidance to achieve successful public transit that will enrich any community.

This event is hosted by the Maryland Department of Planning.

Find out more and register for this free webinar via the link below.

"Building Community Resilience"
Thursday, March 21 | 12pm-1:30pm[1.5 CM: 9287054] 

Planners in Delaware are empowering local communities to develop resiliency and sustainability plans and to complete local mitigation projects to build community resilience. This webinar will feature a panel of speakers that will share examples of planning resources and local projects that are benefiting Delaware’s vulnerable communities. The audience will gain valuable resources and best practices that they can replicate in the context of their own communities.


Speakers:

Stephanie Johnson
Director, DelDOT’s Division of Transportation Resiliency and Sustainability

Ed Lewandowski
Coastal Communities Development Specialist, Delaware Sea Grant Program/Marine Advisory Service at the University of Delaware

Michelle Koenig
Director of Conservation and Watershed Planning, Delaware Center for the Inland Bays

Moderator:

Joshua Thomas, AICP
Office of State Planning Coordination, Delaware