§ 32-4-404. ADOPTION OF DEVELOPMENT MANUALS.

(a)

In general. In order to implement the standards and requirements set forth in this subtitle, the county shall prepare development manuals in accordance with the requirements of this section and submit the manuals to the Planning Board for its action under subsection (d) of this section.

(b)

Manuals prepared by appropriate agencies. The appropriate county agencies shall prepare the following manuals and submit them to the Planning Board:

(1)

A Design Manual;

(2)

A Manual of Standard Details;

(3)

A Manual of Standard Specifications;

(4)

A Manual of Stormwater Management Policy;

(5)

A Manual of Sediment Control and Slope Protection;

(6)

A Manual of Uniform Traffic-Control Devices; and

(7)

A Manual of Development Procedures.

(c)

Manuals prepared by other agencies.

(1)

(i)

The Department of Planning and the Department of Recreation and Parks shall jointly prepare a Manual of Design and Administration of the open space requirements set forth in §§ 32-4-411 and 32-4-412 of this subtitle to be submitted to the Planning Board.

(ii)

The manual may provide for the design and location of pedestrian and bicycle paths.

(2)

The Department of Planning shall prepare a manual of landscaping standards to be submitted to the Planning Board.

(3)

The Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability shall prepare a manual to implement the standard set out in § 32-4-413.

(d)

Adoption of manuals.

(1)

Each agency that is required to prepare a manual under this section, shall submit the manual to the Planning Board for its review and approval.

(2)

Within 75 days after the submission of a manual to the Planning Board, the Planning Board shall:

(i)

Conduct a public hearing; and

(ii)

Allow any person a reasonable opportunity to comment upon the proposed manual during the public hearing.

(3)

Within 75 days after the public hearing, the Planning Board shall:

(i)

Approve the manual, with any amendments the Planning Board considers appropriate; and

(ii)

Submit the approved manual, as amended, to the County Council for its adoption.

(4)

Within 90 days after submission of the manual to the County Council, the County Council shall adopt the manual with any amendments the council considers appropriate.

(5)

The manual shall become effective as of the date of adoption by the County Council.

(e)

Review of manuals.

(1)

The appropriate county agencies shall periodically review all development manuals.

(2)

The Planning Board shall review the manuals at least every 4 years for submission to the County Council for adoption under subsection (d) of this section.

(f)

Amendments.

(1)

Subject to subsection (e) of this section, an amendment to a manual shall be adopted in accordance with Article 3, Title 7 of the Code.

(2)

Notwithstanding subsection (e) of this section, the County Council may review a manual at any time and adopt amendments that it considers appropriate.

(3)

Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, the appropriate agency shall:

(i)

Adopt amendments required by federal or state law or regulation or technical amendments to the manuals of standard details or standard specifications; and

(ii)

Incorporate the amendments as part of the appropriate manual without compliance with subsection (d) of this section.

(1988 Code, §§ 26-265, 26-283) (Bill No. 18, 1990, § 2, 3-30-1990; Bill No. 88, 1990, § 1, 8-13-1990; Bill No. 79-01, § 2, 7-1-2004; Bill No. 75-03, § 27, 7-1-2004; Bill No. 122-10, § 12, 1-16-2011; Bill No. 55-11, §§ 1, 2, 10-16-2011)