The document summarizes the town of Denton, Maryland and its efforts towards smart growth and environmental protection. Denton has around 4,000 residents and aims to reduce land and stormwater usage per capita through updated ordinances. It has created growth boundaries and protected environmental areas to encourage sustainable development. The town has also established various plans and initiatives to further manage growth, upgrade infrastructure, and prioritize infill and redevelopment while balancing residential and commercial areas.

1. Smart Growth Panel “Rural Town Perspective” ~ Town of Denton www.dentonmaryland.com Caroline County, Maryland

2. Where Is Denton, MD?

3. Choptank River Watershed

4. Some Denton Highlights 4,000+/- Residents 5.2 Square Miles (half agriculture) County Seat amidst Agrarian Area Straddles Choptank River (tidal) Only MD Major Waterway with Increase in Nitrogen (over last three decades) Nearly 6 Miles of Tidal Waterfront Many Environmental Amenities

5. An MD “Annexation Mecca”

6. Denton Aerial

7. Natural Resources Other maps

8. Streams

9. Tier II Waters

10. Critical Area Designations

11. Resource Conservation Areas

12. Forest Cover

13. Denton’s Clean Water Goals Sustainable and Equitable Development Reduce Amount of Land per Capita Reduce Amount of Stormwater per Capita Protect Streams Retain Forests Protect Wetlands and other Sensitive Areas Manage and Sustain Agriculture Create and Integrate Parks, Trails and Greenways Maintain Viable Resource Conservation Areas Establish a Growth Boundary Manage Water Resources Effectively (water, wastewater & stormwater) Prioritize Infill Development and Redevelopment Balance Residential and Non-Residential Utilize Regenerative Stormwater Conveyances

14. What We’ve Done Updated Comp. Plan, Land Subdivision & Zoning Ordinances More “Graceful” Expansion Mixed Use Development (PUD/PN) Increased Densities Limited Future Annexations to Non-Residential Created Greenbelt (Urban / Rural Boundary) Defined Trails, Greenways, Parks and Open Spaces Protected All Environmental Resource Areas Encouraged Non-Residential Growth (uses less water resources) Provided More Local Employment Opportunities Encouraged Infill and Redevelopment Density Now Based upon Net Area (No Longer Gross Area) Updated Stormwater Management Ordinance (ESD to MEP) Established Water and Wastewater Capacity Management Plans Utilized Eastern Shore Land Conservancy’s Expertise Participated in the Caroline County WIP Pilot

15. Land Uses

16. Zoning

17. Redevelopment Area

18. What We Plan to Do Update Forest Conservation Ordinance Update Critical Area Ordinance Add Stormwater Management Responsibility to Utility Commission Enable Fee Structure for SW Maintenance, Upgrades and Retrofits Upgrade Wastewater Treatment Plant to ENR Adopt Green Building Ordinance Plan to Acquire Trolleys for Intra-Town Transport (TOD) Green our Streets – Retrofit SW Facilities Utilize Regenerative Stormwater Conveyance Systems Locate New School in Town (where infrastructure exists) Adopt Best Management Practices for Agriculture (replicating County Initiatives) Map Existing Stormwater Facilities and Prioritize Retrofits Determine Priority Funding Areas Seek Grants/Funding for Mapping Existing SW Facilities and Regenerative Retrofits

19. Some Lessons Learned Protecting the Environment Is Possible with Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances Growth Can Be Equitable and Sustainable TMDL’s Can Be Accommodated Getting Ahead of the Curve Is Possible Gaining County Concurrence is Achievable Be Careful about Annexation Agreements Be Careful with Development Rights and Responsibilities Agreements