On Tuesday, Jan. 9, commissioners received a briefing on a zoning text amendment allowing cannabis recreational dispensary and processing operations in the county. The text amendment would facilitate the implementation of the Cannabis Reform Act in Charles County after the Maryland General Assembly passed the law in April 2023.  The amendment was presented to the commissioners as Bill 2024-01: Zoning Text Amendment for Cannabis Dispensaries.

Charles Rice, Planning Director reviewed the planning commission’s process for recommending approval of the amendment and presented the document to the commissioners. Commissioners introduced the bill and scheduled a public hearing for Wed, Feb. 7, 2024, at 6 p.m.

Briefings

• Staff provided a briefing on proposed amendments to Zoning Indenture Docket 250 that would impact future development within the Villages at Swan Point. Commissioners scheduled a public hearing for Feb. 7, 2024, at 6 p.m.
• Staffed provided a briefing on a financial advisory report on the possibility of using public-private partnerships (P3) for school construction projects.
• Commissioners unanimously approved Bill 2023-09, which would require a healthy beverage and meal option for restaurants that either offer a children’s menu or meals primarily consumed by children. The bill received several work sessions to facilitate amendments to the original bill.
• Beth Groth, Climate Resilience and Sustainability Officer, briefed commissioners on the county’s efforts to manage the effects of climate change.

Public Hearings

Due to inclement weather, the public hearings initially scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 9, were rescheduled to Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.

Approval Items

Commissioners approved:

• A budget transfer request of $75,000 to create a budget to produce an educational campaign on charter government. Voters will consider the charter in November 2024.
• A budget transfer request of $228,000 to support preliminary bidding costs related to the Landfill Cell No. 4B Expansion project at the Charles County Landfill.
• A budget transfer request of $1,615,880 to close the Benedict Central Sewer System project and transfer funds to the Sewer Contingency Inflation Account. The project was closed to facilitate a feasibility study before moving ahead.

 

Proclamations

Commissioners recognized the following proclamations:

• National Pan Hellenic Council Recognition Month
• National Mentoring Month
• National School Choice Week
• Catholic Schools Week
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service and Beyond

 

Viewing option of the meeting and the Commissioner Listening Session: Click Here

 

Next Commissioners Session: Jan 23-24, 2024.