What is the process for designating a TOD pursuant to Section 7-101(m)?
Section 7-101(m) of the Transportation Article defines a TOD as dense, mixed-use, deliberately-planned development within a half-mile radius of transit stations that is designed to increase transit use and is designated by both the Maryland Secretary of Transportation (after consultation with other State Executive Departments) and by the Local Government or Multicounty Agency with Land Use and Planning Responsibility for the Relevant Area.

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) TOD designation process includes the following steps:
- The local government submits its proposed TOD project designations to MDOT in its priority funding letter in the spring/summer of each year, as part of the MDOT Secretary's Annual Transportation Tour process. The project must also be described in an application form; MDOT will provide staff assistance to local governments with the application process. (The local government could also propose designations at other times of the year if there are exigent circumstances).
- MDOT reviews the local government's proposed TOD project designations in consultation with the Governor's Smart Growth Subcabinet based on a series of factors, including cost, feasibility, local commitment, and whether the project represents good transit oriented development pursuant to established principles.
- After considering the recommendations of the Governor's Smart Growth Subcabinet, MDOT meets with the local government about what commitments each will make toward potential projects as part of the designation.
- After agreement is reached between the local government and MDOT on a particular designation, the MDOT Secretary submits a memorandum to the local government that describes the TOD project and expresses the Secretary's designation of the project. The local government then exercises its designation authority through a resolution of its elected council. This completes the designation process.

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1. What does the term transit-oriented development mean?
2. Why is the State involved in transit-oriented development?
3. What does it mean to be a designated transit-oriented development (TOD) in Maryland?
4. Why designate some Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) projects and not others? Should all TODs be designated?
5. What are the benefits that designation brings to a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) project?
6. What is the process for designating a TOD pursuant to Section 7-101(m)?
7. Do the State and local government designate a project, a zone, a planning effort, or something else?
8. Have any projects been designated TODs yet?
9. Is there a limit to the number of TOD designations that can be made?
10. What new financial tools did the 2009 TOD legislation grant to local governments for use solely at designated TODs?
11. What is tax increment financing (TIF)?
12. What is a Special Taxing District?
13. What is the Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) and what role does it plan in TOD?
14. Are there dedicated funds in the State budget for TODs?
15. What are the characteristics of a good candidate for TOD Designation?
16. What types of transit stations make a TOD project eligible for designation?
17. Is there any new State legislation that might help support TOD projects?
18. How do Designated TODs relate to Smart Sites and other programs?
19. Whom do I contact to learn more about TOD and TOD Designations?