Survey on the Draft St. Mary's 2050 Plan

Welcome! The purpose of this survey is to gather feedback on the Draft St. Mary's 2050 Comprehensive Plan. 

 

Every question is optional.

 

Tip: You can move through the survey by clicking the "Continue" button at the bottom of each page or by clicking on each tab at the top of the page (scroll to the right to see all the tabs).

To learn more about the St. Mary’s 2050 project and to view a full draft of the plan, visit the project website at https://www.stmaryscountymd.gov/StMarys2050/. 

 

 

 

About the Project

St. Mary's 2050: Charting Our Tomorrow

St. Mary’s County has launched a once-in-a-generation effort to plan for the future of the County. Driven by community feedback, the St. Mary’s County 2050 Comprehensive Plan will reflect a shared vision and guide future land use decisions that shape our community for the next 25 years.

What is the project timeline?

The project launched in Fall 2024, with two rounds of public engagement to learn about community priorities and gather feedback on key policy choices. 

The draft plan is now available for public review and comment. Following this round of public engagement, the plan will be updated and presented for adoption in summer 2026.

How can I participate?

Fill out the questions in this survey and encourage others who live or work in St. Mary's County to fill it out, too!

To stay informed, you can join the mailing list and view project updates on the project website: stmaryscountymd.gov/StMarys2050/

 

Comprehensive Planning is the Law in Maryland

Why does St. Mary's County need a Comprehensive Plan?

Maryland law requires all local jurisdictions to (1) adopt a comprehensive plan; and (2) implement the plan through the adoption of local ordinances that govern land use and zoning. The comprehensive plan is an important land use tool that should reflect a shared vision of the future. 

What information must be included in a Comprehensive Plan? How is it developed?

The law requires that all local jurisdictions include specific planning responsibilities within their plans, which are intended to guide all aspects of community planning including housing, transportation, economic development, and natural resource protection. Among these required planning responsibilities are goals and objectives for achieving the shared vision that should be reflected in the plan.

 

About the Currently Adopted Comprehensive Plan

In 2010, the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County adopted the Comprehensive Plan. This document has served as a growth and conservation strategy for the last 15 years. It has guided the County as it makes land use decisions within its borders. 

The currently adopted Comprehensive Plan is the starting point for developing the new plan. The vision, goals, objectives, and policies in the adopted plan are being evaluated. Land use planning areas will also be assessed to identify any needed changes to: 

  • Growth Areas
  • Rural Areas
  • Protected Areas