THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION
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Glossary of Planning and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Terms Glossary of Planning and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 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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Pattern Of Development
The physical form or shape of land development.
Patuxent River Primary Management Area (Pma)
An area along all perennial streams in the Patuxent River watershed within which land use is managed to protect water quality and preserve wildlife habitat.
Pedestrian-Oriented Design
Land use activities that are designed and arranged in a way that emphasizes travel on foot rather than by car. The factors that encourage people to walk are often subtle, but they most regularly focus upon the creation of a pleasant environment for the pedestrian. Elements include compact, mixed-use development patterns with facilities and design that enhance the environment for pedestrians in terms of safety, walking distances, comfort, and the visual appeal of the surroundings. Pedestrian-friendly environments can be created by locating buildings close to the sidewalk, by lining the street with trees, and by buffering the sidewalk with planting strips or parked cars, small shops, street-level lighting and signs, and public art or displays.
Person Of Record (Party Of Record)
(A) In any zoning case, a Person of Record shall include: 1. The owner, applicant and correspondent. 2. Any municipality or person who (in writing) requests to become a Person of Record during testimony before the Zoning Hearing Examiner (ZHE) or prior to the case having been taken under advisement by the ZHE. 3. The Development Review District Commission if the property is located in a Development Review District. (B) In any sectional map amendment (SMA) or other matter (under the Zoning Ordinance) not heard by the ZHE, Person of Record shall include the owner, applicant and correspondent of a pending Zoning Map Amendment or other pertinent application; person or municipality who, in writing or in testimony before the District Council, Planning Board, or other applicable hearing body, requests to be made a Person of Record, and the Development Review District Commission if the property is located in a Development Review District, prior to the closing of the hearing record on the matter.
Piecemeal Rezoning
The rezoning of individual properties, one-by-one, upon the petitioning of individual property owners. Piecemeal rezoning can include euclidean zones, floating zones and comprehensive design zones.
Pipeline Development
A colloquial term encompassing projects that have received development approval and public commitments are in effect, but development has not yet been completed. For example, the number of housing units "in the pipeline" would be accounted for in the construction permits, sewer connection authorizations, or subdivision approval for housing.
Pixel
A contraction of the words picture element. The smallest unit of information in an image or raster map. Referred to as a cell in an image or grid.
Planning Area
A district geographically defined by natural or manmade boundaries as described in the Zoning Ordinance. It is the smallest geographical area for which a master plan is prepared. Prince George's ounty is divided into 37 planning areas, covering all of the county with the exception of the City of Laurel (which is not under M-NCPPC jurisdiction).
Pollution
The presence of matter or energy, the nature, location, or quantity of which produces undesirable environmental effects. (a.) Nonpoint source pollution - Pollution generated by diffuse land use activities rather than from an identifiable or discrete facility. It is conveyed to waterways through natural processes, such as rainfall, stormwater runoff, or groundwater seepage rather than by deliberate discharge. (b.) Point source pollution—In air pollution, a stationary source of large individual emission, generally of an industrial nature. In water pollution, a stationary source of wastewater discharge into a stream, such as from a factory or sewage treatment plant.
Polygon
A coverage feature class used to represent areas. A polygon is defined by the arcs that make up its boundary and a point inside its boundary for identification. Polygons have attributes (PAT) that describe the geographic feature they represent.
Preliminary Plan Of Subdivision
The preliminary detailed drawing (to scale) of a tract of land, depicting its proposed division into lots, blocks, streets, alleys, or other designated areas within a proposed subdivision.
Public Facility
A facility such as a road, school or sewage treatment plant financed by public revenues and available for use by the public.
Public Improvements
A variety of facilities and services provided by government such as street lighting, street widening, trash collection, and drainage systems.