Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 25, June 22, 2024
Section 9.175 - Land planning and coordination(a) The rapid growth and development occurring in metropolitan areas is continually creating more pressures on existing open space for both greater recreational utilization and conversion to nonopen space land uses. In order to reduce these pressures, the development of coordinated State, regional and local open space planning is necessary. The development of open space plans respecting ecologic values is dependent on a broad, orderly land use planning program which incorporates a concern for environmental values. Within this program the assessment of natural resource values, capabilities, and constraints to particular land use configurations may provide the identification of ecologic values to be protected in open space lands.(b) It shall be the environmental policy of the Commonwealth to ensure the protection of metropolitan open space by encouraging coordinated land use planning which respects the natural capabilities and limitations of the land.