Steven Ball, planning director for Charles County, recently attended the National Conference of the American Planning Association.

It was held April 15 through 18 in Los Angeles.

Ball participated on a panel presentation along with Richard Hall, secretary of planning for the Maryland Department of Planning. The session was titled, “Statewide Planning Today, Plan Maryland and the Local Response.” Ball discussed some of the obstacles and opportunities of Maryland’s land use planning programs in Charles County.

The APA also recognized Maryland’s Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) at the conference. He was the recipient of this year’s National Planning Leadership Award for a Planning Advocate.