1. A. An application for Neighborhood Conservation Area designation shall be submitted by a local government to the Department in accordance with the schedule that the Department establishes.

2. B. An application shall:

   1. (1) Be on standard forms prescribed by the Department;
   2. (2) Provide a detailed map of the proposed neighborhood conservation area including electronic geographic information system (GIS) shape files;

   3. (3) Provide a description of the proposed neighborhood conservation area including:

      1. (a) The concentration of foreclosure activity;
      2. (b) The concentration of blighted or vacant properties; and
      3. (c) Housing market trends over time;
   4. (4) Describe whether the proposed neighborhood conservation area includes a sustainable community or is located near a sustainable community; and
   5. (5) Describe the process used to seek and receive public input on the proposed neighborhood conservation area, including the nature and extent of public support or opposition.

3. C. An application for a designation of a neighborhood conservation area shall demonstrate that:

   1. (1) The neighborhood conservation area:

      1. (a) Is located within a priority funding area;
      2. (b) Has a concentration of foreclosure activity; and
      3. (c) Has a concentration of blighted or vacant properties;

   2. (2) The local government either;

      1. (a) Included an area in the proposed area located in or near a sustainable community; or
      2. (b) Evaluated areas in or near sustainable communities and determined that the proposed area was more desirable as a neighborhood conservation area; and
   3. (3) The proposed neighborhood conservation area has housing market trends that are weaker than average for the jurisdiction.

Authority: Tax Property Article, §9-255(a)(2), Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: April 15, 2013 (40:7 Md. R. 609)