![[photo, Charles County Government Building, 200 Baltimore St., La Plata, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/36loc/ch/images/1198-1-719b.jpg)
County Government Building, 200 Baltimore St., La Plata, Maryland, May 2004. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
Today, the Department's four divisions include Administrative Operations; Codes, Permits, and Inspection Services; Planning; and Transit. Also, the Department is aided by the Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board; the Agricultural Reconciliation Committee; the Planning Commission; and the Board of [Zoning] Appeals.
Composed of five members, the Advisory Board in Charles County is appointed to four-year terms by the County Commissioners (Code Agriculture Article, sec, 2-504.1; County Code, secs. 215-1 through 215-9).
AGRICULTURAL RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE
Appointed to four-year terms by the County Commissioners, the Committee consists of five members (County Code, secs. 235-1 through 235-5).
NUISANCE ABATEMENT HEARING BOARD
The Board oversees hearings regarding citizen complaints about public nuisances, such as: properties with unkempt yards, overgrown plants, trash piles, or excess leaves (County Code, secs. 85-1 through 85-9).
PLANNING COMMISSION
SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
The Soil Conservation District Board of Supervisors consists six members who serve five-year terms. Five members are appointed by the State Soil Conservation Committee, and one is appointed by the Board of County Commissioners (Code Agriculture Article, secs. 8-301 through 8-312).
BOARD OF [ZONING] APPEALS
Appointed by the County Commissioners, the Board of Appeals is composed of five members and one alternate who serve three-year terms (Code Land Use Article, secs. 4-101 through 4-406; County Code, secs. 150-1 through 150-3).
The Agricultural Reconciliation Committee arbitrates and mediates disputes involving agricultural operations conducted on agricultural lands. The Committee issues opinions on whether such operations conform with generally accepted agricultural management practices.
The Nuisance Abatement Hearing Board was established in 1990 (Chapter 246, Acts of 1990).
The Planning Commission consists of seven members appointed to four-year terms by the County Commissioners (Code Land Use Article, secs. 2-101 through 3-304; County Code, secs. 200-1 through 200-3).
A soil conservation district constitutes a political subdivision of the State, and a public body corporate and politic, excercising public powers. The District's Board of Supervisors conducts surveys, investigations, and research relating to the character of soil erosion. Within the District, the Board carries out preventive and control measures, including engineering operations, cultivation methods, the growing of vegetation, changes in land use, and other measures.
The Board of Appeals hears and decides appeals where it is alleged there is any error in any zoning order, requirement, decision, or determination. It also interprets district boundaries on official zoning maps. Upon appeal, in specific cases, the Board may authorize such variances as will not be contrary to the public interest where, owing to special conditions, a literal enforcement would result in unnecessary hardship or practical difficulty.
TRANSIT DIVISION
The Division offers public transportation through its VanGO bus service.
Specialized transportation is available for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
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The Transit Division began as the Transportation Division under the Department of Community Services, and in July 2010 was renamed the Transportation and Community Programs Division, when it became responsible for programs of the Local Management Board. In July 2016, it reorganized as the Transportation Division and transferred to the Department of Planning and Growth Management. In April 2018, the Division was renamed the Transit Division.
VANGO
VanGO is a public transportation system, operated by a private firm under contract with County government. VanGo provides bus service to the College of Southern Maryland, the St. Charles Towne Center Mall, employment locations, medical facilities, and numerous shopping centers. Routes cover Waldorf, St. Charles, La Plata, Indian Head, Charlotte Hall, Newburg, and Nanjemoy, and link up with the St. Mary's Transit System in Charlotte Hall.
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