1. (a) The municipal growth element shall include:

   1. (1) the municipal corporation's:

      1. (i) future municipal growth areas outside the existing corporate limits;
      2. (ii) past growth patterns;
      3. (iii) capacity of land areas available for development, redevelopment, and in-fill;
   2. (2) the land area needed to satisfy demand for development at densities consistent with long-term development policy;
   3. (3) the relationship of the long-term development policy to a vision of the municipal corporation's future character;
   4. (4) rural buffers and transition areas;
   5. (5) protection of sensitive areas that could be impacted by development planned within the proposed municipal growth area;
   6. (6) population growth projections;

   7. (7) public services and infrastructure needed to accommodate growth within the proposed municipal growth areas, including those necessary for:

      1. (i) libraries;
      2. (ii) recreation;
      3. (iii) water and sewerage facilities;
      4. (iv) public safety, including emergency medical response;
      5. (v) stormwater management systems sufficient to ensure water quality both inside and outside the proposed municipal growth area; and
      6. (vi) public schools sufficient to accommodate student population consistent with State rated capacity standards established by the Interagency Commission on School Construction;
   8. (8) any burden on services and infrastructure for which the municipal corporation would be responsible for development in areas near to and outside of the proposed municipal growth area; and
   9. (9) anticipated financing mechanisms to support necessary public services and infrastructure.
2. (b) On request of a municipal corporation, the Department of Planning shall provide technical assistance for the purposes of developing the municipal growth element of the comprehensive plan.

Added by Acts 2012, c. 426, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2012. Amended by Acts 2018, c. 12, § 6.