§3–112.

    (a)    The municipal growth element shall include:

        (1)    the municipal corporation’s:

            (i)    future municipal growth areas outside the existing corporate limits;

            (ii)    past growth patterns;

            (iii)    capacity of land areas available for development, redevelopment, and in–fill;

        (2)    the land area needed to satisfy demand for development at densities consistent with long–term development policy;

        (3)    the relationship of the long–term development policy to a vision of the municipal corporation’s future character;

        (4)    rural buffers and transition areas;

        (5)    protection of sensitive areas that could be impacted by development planned within the proposed municipal growth area;

        (6)    population growth projections;

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

            (i)    libraries;

            (ii)    recreation;

            (iii)    water and sewerage facilities;

            (iv)    public safety, including emergency medical response;

            (v)    stormwater management systems sufficient to ensure water quality both inside and outside the proposed municipal growth area; and

            (vi)    public schools sufficient to accommodate student population consistent with State rated capacity standards established by the Interagency Commission on School Construction;

        (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)    anticipated financing mechanisms to support necessary public services and infrastructure.

    (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.