FREDERICK, Md. (AP) — The Maryland Department of Planning says a proposed rewrite of Frederick County’s 20-year land-use plan would extend residential sprawl and require construction of more roads and schools.

The Frederick News-Post reported Tuesday on the agency’s letter to the county’s planning director.

The state’s criticism adds fuel to a dispute that has prompted a lawsuit from statewide environmental groups. The issue also has pitted the county’s elected commissioners against the appointed planning-and-zoning board.

The all-Republican commissioners want to rewrite a comprehensive land-use plan adopted last year by their more liberal predecessors.

The proposed changes would increase residential development potential by nearly 18,000 homes, or about 50 percent.

The state planning agency says population projections don’t justify such a dramatic increase in development potential.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)