FY 2021 Educational Facilities Master Plan

Community Analysis Findings

Thankfully the Wicomico County Subdivision Activity Report was reinstated in 2012 and the figures presented are based on the unincorporated portions (outside of the municipalities) from the report that was provided to WCPS. This data looks specifically at two types of subdivision activity trends which directly impact Wicomico County. One is the East and West development in relation to U.S. Route 13. The other is subdivision activity in relation to the Metro Core. The Metro Core is described in the comprehensive plan as an area where higher density growth and development should be focused because of the proximity to existing and planned public utilities and services. Residential development patterns are

69 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 TOTAL LOTS & PLATS (10 Year Development) Lots Plats 22 12 22 0 0 4 2 2 2 2 2 0 0 0

a primary indicator of community growth. Figure 1 indicates that the total number of approved lots and plats has remained relatively stable albeit low over the past six years (note that the County only provides plat data for the recording of four or more lots). Figure 2 indicates that the total number of approved building permits also remains stable/low.

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4

Figure 1

BUILDING PERMITS (Wicomico County - 10 Year Development)

20 40 60 80 100

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Mobi le Home 0 0 1 5 1 1 3 8 0 2 Single Family 43 43 47 54 62 59 55 81 68 62 0

Single Family Mobi le Home

Figure 2

Wicomico County Dept. of Planning, Zoning & Community Development

The past twenty (20) years indicate an interesting relationship between the number of building permits issued and the number of lots approved for Wicomico County. Between 1999 and 2005 the majority of the time there was an opposite trend between the number of lots approved and the number of permits issues. If one went up, the other typically went down and so forth. This changed in 2007 when the trends crossed (see Figure 3). Although construction slowed there were still lots being established for potential home construction in anticipation that the real estate market would stabilize. Beginning in 2011 the trend had been a reduction in plats and lots approved. Partially, this is in response to the national economic downturn,

Wicomico County Public Schools Educational Facilities Master Plan FY 2021

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