All prospective applicants must speak with the Alliance Director before beginning the application process who can be reached at 301-986-5959 or dminess@sgalliance.org.

Applications for recognition must contain adequate information to address each of the six smart growth criteria. Submitted materials should include full-size copies of site plans, maps (including topographic), aerial photographs, marketing brochures, and other studies/reports both by the applicant and the jurisdiction. Current photographs of the site should be included. In addition, all applications must contain detailed contact information for each member of the development team. A more detailed description of the criteria and information on how to apply is available here.

Location Criterion: The project must be in an area designated and appropriate for growth or revitalization, most particularly infill or sites adjacent or in close proximity to developed residential or commercial areas. It should take advantage of existing or short-term planned public water and sewer service, and should be accessible to public transportation. Information provided should include project site's status on jurisdiction's master plan and also demonstrate how the site relates to the surrounding area as well as its current use.

Information about the project’s context (demographic, economic and land use patterns) is crucial, especially on project design aspects where items of context helped shape project characteristics. If not a mixed-use project, it should demonstrate the site’s proximity to employment centers. Maps that identify streams, forested areas, and other environmental features should be submitted.

Density, Design, and Diversity of Uses Criterion: The “three D's” of good, smart growth development must be present, either within the proposed project or in the vicinity. That is, sufficient density and scale to help support a mix of uses, walkability, and public transit. Urban design of the project should foster such encouragement and integrate the project effectively into existing community fabric.

Information provided should also include the size of the site; number of for-sale and rent residential units (by type) including "affordable" housing; commercial space (in acres); mix of land uses (office, commercial, institutional, residential, industrial); density and/or FAR of the site and surrounding properties; how the site’s design respects the surrounding community; availability of usable public space.

Transportation/Mobility/Accessibility Criterion: The project should be designed, located, and programmed to offer alternatives to single occupancy vehicle trips, by enabling safe and effective pedestrian and bicycle access to multiple uses and activities and by being accessible to public transportation.

Information provided should demonstrate the site’s distance to transit stations and bus routes, including current and planned; frequency of transit; anticipated timing of planned improvements, connection of site to surrounding area, including streets, trails, and crosswalks; and pedestrian-friendliness.

Environment Criterion: The project should effectively protect, conserve, or mitigate damage to open space, water and air quality, and important ecosystem components.

Information provided should include description and maps of pertinent natural features (soils, topography, existing vegetation, drainage, etc.); the amount of open space (acres or percentage of property); methods to reduce waste and prevent or lower pollution; as well as wetlands banking or other mitigation measures. An environmental conditions summary map should be provided, if available.

Mixed Income Criterion: The project should add to the overall mix of housing for different income levels in the surrounding area. If the project has a residential component, a mix of housing for all income levels should be encouraged. Context and neighborhood incomes will relate to the amount and affordability of the housing provided in/near the project. Generally, housing that is more affordable to the renter or buyer will be expected in higher income areas and less expected in lower-income neighborhoods.

Community Assets Criterion: The project will generate benefits for the surrounding area and/or the host community. These may include positive economic impacts, affordable housing, support for the school system, historic preservation, public access to parks or open space, support for local efforts to encourage alternative transportation, adaptive reuse of obsolete buildings, or other improvements to the quality of community life.

Information provided on these matters should also include a description of the public involvement process and costs of residential units.

Contact information for the following is required (address, phone, email and fax)