(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b) “Authority” means the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority established under § 13–1103 of this subtitle.
(c) “Bonds” means revenue bonds, including refunding bonds or revenue anticipation notes, issued by the Authority.
(d) “Certified heritage area” means a heritage area designated in accordance with § 13–1111 of this subtitle.
(e) “Fund” means the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority Financing Fund established under § 13–1114 of this subtitle.
(f) “Geographical information system file” means a computer file that:
(1) Captures, stores, and displays various types of spatial and attribute data on a map;
(2) Depicts the boundaries of a recognized heritage area;
(3) Includes the date of approval of the boundaries by the Authority; and
(4) Is posted on a website hosted by the State.
(g) “Heritage area” means a developed area of public and private uses that:
(1) Ranges in size from a portion of a county or municipal corporation to a regional area with a special coherence;
(2) Is distinguished by physical and cultural resources which have played a vital role in the historic life and development of the community and contribute to the public through interpretive, educational, and recreational use;
(3) Is composed of contiguous or noncontiguous geographic areas; and
(4) May include traditional parks and historic places or property on the national or State register of historic properties.
(h) (1) “Local plan” means the policies, statements, goals, and interrelated plans for private and public land use, transportation, and community facilities documented in texts and maps which constitute the guide for the area’s future development.
(2) “Local plan” includes a general plan, master plan, comprehensive plan, community plan, and the like as adopted in accordance with Title 1, Subtitle 4 or Title 3 of the Land Use Article.
(i) “Management plan” means a document prepared in accordance with § 13–1111 of this subtitle that includes a comprehensive statement in words, maps, illustrations, or other media of communication of the objectives, policies, and standards to guide public and private action for the preservation, interpretation, development, and use of the cultural, historic, natural, and architectural resources of a certified heritage area.
(j) “Recognized heritage area” means a heritage area that:
(1) The local jurisdictions within the heritage area have nominated for designation as a recognized heritage area under § 13–1110 of this subtitle; and
(2) The Heritage Areas Authority has designated as eligible to apply for designation as a certified heritage area under § 13–1111 of this subtitle.