<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" citation="COMAR 05.20.02.05" title_num="05" subtitle_num="20" chapter_num="02" heading="Application Processing.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Each application shall be submitted to the Department to determine whether all of the information required under Regulation .04 of this chapter is contained in the application.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Upon receipt of all required information, the Department shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Accept public input on each application;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Consider recommendations from other State units on each application;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Provide written notice and a reasonable opportunity to comment to the political subdivision where the proposed community enhancement project is located as follows:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>If the application affects a neighborhood entirely within a municipal corporation, the Department must provide notice and a reasonable opportunity to comment to the municipal corporation and not the surrounding county; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>If an application affects a neighborhood within more than one political subdivision, the Department must provide notice and a reasonable opportunity to comment to each political subdivision; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Undertake an analysis of each application.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>All complete applications which meet the requirements of Regulations .03 and .04 of this chapter shall be evaluated on a point basis.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>The Department shall award up to a maximum of 200 total points across the following categories:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The neighborhood revitalization plan and how the plan relates to the goals outlined in the community’s larger sustainable communities plan;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The description of the community conditions and the appropriateness of outlined strategies to address those conditions;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The ability of each proposed community enhancement project to address identified challenges within the community; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The capacity and experience of the applicant and the applicant’s partners to complete the proposals and leverage additional financing.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Upon the Department’s completion of the review and scoring of the applications, the Department shall make a recommendation to the Secretary on the applications.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Upon receipt of the Department's recommendation, the Secretary:</text>
    <paragraph num="(a)">
      <text>May request additional information from the applicant or Department concerning the application, including oral presentations; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(b)">
      <text>Shall act on the application by approving it, disapproving it, or approving it with modifications.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>If the Secretary determines not to approve an application, the Department shall issue a written notice of denial.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>Reconsideration.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An applicant may request initial reconsideration of a denial by submitting a written request to the Department, which must be received by the Department within 30 days following the date of the denial notice.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The request for reconsideration shall address each reason for the denial and provide documentation supporting reasons for reconsideration of the application.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The Department shall respond in writing to the applicant's request for reconsideration within 90 days of receipt by the Department of the request for reconsideration.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>An initial decision or reconsideration of a decision is not a contested case within the meaning of the Administrative Procedure Act or COMAR 05.01.01.02.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>