(a)    The municipal growth element shall include:

(1)    the municipal corporation’s:

(i)    future municipal growth areas outside the existing corporate limits;

(ii)    past growth patterns;

(iii)    capacity of land areas available for development, redevelopment, and in–fill;

(2)    the land area needed to satisfy demand for development at densities consistent with long–term development policy;

(3)    the relationship of the long–term development policy to a vision of the municipal corporation’s future character;

(4)    rural buffers and transition areas;

(5)    protection of sensitive areas that could be impacted by development planned within the proposed municipal growth area;

(6)    population growth projections;

(7)    public services and infrastructure needed to accommodate growth within the proposed municipal growth areas, including those necessary for:

(i)    libraries;

(ii)    recreation;

(iii)    water and sewerage facilities;

(iv)    public safety, including emergency medical response;

(v)    stormwater management systems sufficient to ensure water quality both inside and outside the proposed municipal growth area; and

(vi)    public schools sufficient to accommodate student population consistent with State rated capacity standards established by the Interagency Commission on School Construction;

(8)    any burden on services and infrastructure for which the municipal corporation would be responsible for development in areas near to and outside of the proposed municipal growth area; and

(9)    anticipated financing mechanisms to support necessary public services and infrastructure.

(b)    On request of a municipal corporation, the Department of Planning shall provide technical assistance for the purposes of developing the municipal growth element of the comprehensive plan.