Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
 |
|
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1927 |
| Jurisdiction | Montgomery and Prince George's Counties, Maryland |
| Annual budget | US$456 million (2017) |
| Agency executive |
|
| Parent department | Maryland General Assembly |
| Website | http://www.mncppc.org/ |
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is a bi-county agency that administers parks and planning in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties in Maryland.
The Commission was formed in 1927 by the Maryland General Assembly. Since 1970, the Commission also has operated the Prince George's County recreation program, funded by a separate countywide recreation tax. In addition, the Commission provides services and educational programs relating to conservation and nature, local history, and the arts, and offers recreation classes.
The Commission is divided into four departments: Montgomery Department of Parks, Montgomery Planning Department, Prince George's Department of Parks & Recreation, and Prince George's Planning Department. While these counties and departments are all within One Commission, day-to-day operations, for the most part, are separate. Interaction among general staff across counties and departments is rare.
The Commission manages over 52,000 acres (210 km2) of parks in the two counties. Within the Maryland-Washington Metropolitan District, the Commission is empowered to acquire, develop, maintain, and operate parks systems. In all areas except Laurel, the Commission may spend public funds to acquire park land. Subject to county government approval, it also may sell general obligation bonds to fund park acquisition and development. All other expenses, including debt service, are paid from a park tax levied within the District.
Prince George's Stadium in Bowie is built on park property.
Taking into account all factors of urban, suburban, rural and regional planning, the Commission prepares and administers a General Plan for the physical development of the Maryland-Washington Regional District. All of Prince George's County (except Laurel) and all of Montgomery County (except Rockville, Gaithersburg, and several small municipalities) are included in the district. For the portion of the District within their county, each planning board makes zoning recommendations to its county council. To enact zoning ordinances and change the zoning map, the planning boards have exclusive responsibility for subdivision approval, location and grades of streets, location of public buildings and utilities, and street naming and house numbering. Administration and operating expenses of the Commission are financed by property taxes levied by the two counties.
...
Wikipedia