The Department implements the goals and objectives of the County's Comprehensive Plan through the administration of the Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Regulations, Critical Area Ordinance, and Forest Conservation Regulations.
Staff support is provided by the Department to the Board of County Commissioners, the Planning Commission, and the Board of Appeals. The Department also supports the Board of Electrical Examiners, and the Board of Licensed Commissioners by implementing the local and State requirements for electrical and liquor licenses.
Matters relating to planning and zoning are governed by both State and County laws. The Maryland Forest Conservation Act, for example, requires all county governments to adopt local forest conservation programs (Chapter 255, Acts of 1991; Code Natural Resources Article, secs. 5-1601 through 5-1613).
Heading the Department is the Director, who is appointed by the Board of County Commissioners (County Code, sec. 18.1-101).
Appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, the five members of the Board serve five-year terms (Code Agriculture Article, sec. 2-504.1).
AGRICULTURAL RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE
Appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, the Committee consists of six members (County Code, Art. V, secs. 19-8 through 19-11.1).
BOARD OF BUILDING APPEALS
The Board hears and decides appeals of decisions, determinations, or orders made by the building official with regard to the application or interpretation of the Building Code.
PLANNING COMMISSION
The Commission consists of seven members appointed to five-year terms by the Board of County Commissioners (Code Land Use Article, secs. 2-101 through 3-304).
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 County Executive with County Council consent (Code Agriculture Article, secs. 8-301 through 8-312).
BOARD OF [ZONING] APPEALS
Appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, the Board of Appeals consists of three members and one alternate who serve three-year terms (Code Land Use Article, secs. 4-101 through 4-406).
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING
FLOODPLAIN PROGRAM
FOREST CONSERVATION ACT PROGRAM
WATERSHED IMPLEMENTATION PLAN PROGRAM
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AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD
The Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board formed in 1990. It advises the Board of County Commissioners on the establishment of agricultural districts and the approval of purchases of easements within the County by the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation.
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 Board of Building Appeals was created in June 1984.
Established in January 1961, the Planning Commission makes and approves plans they recommend to the Board of County Commissioners for adoption.
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 [Zoning] Appeals was established in 1961 to hold public hearings to hear requests for variances, conditional uses, and appeals relating to the County Code. The Board 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.
Under the Department of Planning and Zoning, Environmental Planning oversees four programs: Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, Floodplain, Forest Conservation, and Watershed Implementation Plan.
CHESAPEAKE BAY CRITICAL AREA PROGRAM
Established in 1985, the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Program advocates for improved water quality, the protection of wildlife habitat, and the reduction of human destruction of sensitive lands.
The Floodplain Program aids in the protection of the County's coastline.
The Forest Conservation Act Program protects and conserves County forests.
Following the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2010 actions, the Watershed Implementation Plan Program monitors the status of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. That watershed consists of the Bay itself; the rivers, creeks, streams, and smaller bays that flow into the Chesapeake Bay; and the land surrounding them.
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e-mail: mdmanual@maryland.gov
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