Glossary of Planning Terms

Glossary is usually defined as an alphabetical list of technical terms in some specialized field of knowledge. This knowledge base glossary provides a collection of knowledge base documents that define many technical terms. These terms are arranged alphabetically, but you can quickly jump to a specific term by selecting its first letter from the index of the knowledge base glossary below.

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Keyword

Term
Easement
A contractual agreement to gain temporary or permanent use of, and/or access through, a property, usually for public facilities and access ways.
Ecological Function
The functions of a natural system that includes water, air, soil, flora, fauna, and all related elements. These functions regulate air, water, and soil temperatures and provide appropriate habitat for ecosystem residents and migrants.
Edge Matching
An editing procedure to ensure that all features that cross adjacent map sheets have the same edge locations.
Employment Areas
Areas commanding the highest concentrations of economic activity in four targeted industry clusters—healthcare and life sciences; business services; information, communication, and electronics; and the Federal Government. (See Plan 2035, p. 106.)
Environmental Impact Report (Eir)
A report prepared by M-NCPPC in accordance with Article 28, Section 8-110 for all requests for special exception to the zoning regulations for the mining of sand and gravel.
Environmental Impact Statement (Eis)
A document, prepared by a federal agency, on the environmental impact of its proposals for legislation and other major actions that significantly affect the quality of the human environment. Environmental Impact Statements are used as tools for decision making and are required by the National Environmental Policy Act. Similar environmental analyses are undertaken by state and local agencies.
Environmental Setting
Used in the Historic Sites and Districts Plan to define an area of land (including or within the property boundaries) to which a historic resource relates visually and historically, and which is essential to the integrity of the historic resource.
Established Communities
Plan 2035 classifies existing residential neighborhoods and commercial areas served by public water and sewer outside of the Regional Transit Districts and Local Centers, as Established Communities. Established communities are most appropriate for context-sensitive infill and low- to medium-density development. Plan 2035 recommends maintaining and enhancing existing public services (police and fire/EMS), facilities (such as libraries, schools, parks, and open space), and infrastructure in these areas (such as sidewalks) to ensure that the needs of existing residents are met. (See Plan 2035, p. 20.)
Euclidean Zone
A traditional zone in which certain types of land uses with specific regulations are permitted. Euclidean zones can be granted by the District Council upon approval of a comprehensive rezoning or a piecemeal rezoning application. Through a piecemeal application the property owner must demonstrate either that a change in the character of the neighborhood has occurred since the last comprehensive rezoning; or 2) that a mistake was made in the last comprehensive rezoning. The County's Rural and Agricultural, Residential, Nonresidential, Transit-Oriented/Activity Center, and Legacy Base Zones are Euclidean Zones.
Expressway
A divided highway, generally within a 150-200 foot right-of-way, with full or partial control of access and interchanges at selected public roads, with some at-grade intersections spaced at 1,500 foot to 2,000 foot intervals.