On Tuesday, March 19, Kelly Palmer, Planner III, held a work session with commissioners on Bill 2023-13: Zoning Text Amendment 22-173, Independent Living Senior Housing Complex. The amendment would allow Independent Living Senior Housing Complexes in the Watershed Conservation District.
Commissioners discussed the community's reaction to the amendment and how it could affect the Bryans Road area. A motion was made to send the bill back to be reviewed during the 2026 comprehensive plan, which failed 2-3. A subsequent motion to keep the record open and direct staff to investigate various commissioner concerns also failed 2-3. A third motion to approve the bill passed 3-2.
- Danielle Mitchell, Assistant Deputy County Attorney, gave commissioners a legislative update on the 2024 Maryland General Assembly session. Five bills presented by the board crossed over from the House to the Senate.
- Jason Groth, Acting Director of the Department of Planning and Growth Management, described the general process of bonds. Developers must place the bond before permits to start the project are issued. Bonds are reduced as the project. Groth also described what type of infrastructure projects can be bonded. Commissioners requested a follow-up conversation in 60 days with a policy to address commissioner concerns.
- Commissioner Amanda Stewart (District 3) discussed a request for a traffic study on Vivian Adams Drive in Waldorf. Stewart brought the discussion to the table to potentially examine installing multiple options for entry and exit into the area due to ongoing and future development. Jason Groth, Acting Director of the Department of Planning and Growth Management, discussed additional concerns brought by the Board of Education. Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the traffic study.
- Staff provided highlights from the Department of Public Works, Department of Fiscal &Administrative Services, Department of Human Resources, Department of Community Services and County Administration. The presentation was the start of a bi-monthly presentation on various activities by county departments.
Public Hearings
Commissioners held a public hearing on Bill 2024-05: Amendment to Zoning Text Amendment 21-169 Critical Area. The bill would implement revisions to how the Critical Area Overlay zone is applied based on changes by the Critical Area Commission, revised lot coverage limitations standards within the limited development zone, and other changes. Commissioners voted to close the record and pass the bill.
Commissioners also held a public hearing on Bill 2024-04: 9-1-1 Fee Increase, which would allow increases to the county’s 9-1-1 fee to fund operations, maintenance, and infrastructure of the county’s 9-1-1 system. Commissioners voted to close the record and pass the bill.
Commissioners also passed Bill 2024-02: Code of Ethics and Bill 2024-03: Zoning Text Amendment 23-177 Transit Oriented Development Zone.
Approval items
Commissioners approved:
- A budget transfer request of $43,070 from Capital Improvement Projects to Contingency Inflation Projects fund. The request was made to transfer the county’s share in a camera project that no longer has funding from a Statewide Transportation Innovations Grant due to several significant delays in the project.
- A budget increase of $15,900 for a new right-of-way technician Position under Planning and Growth Management to support the County’s work associated with residential stormwater management issues and repairs throughout the County. The new position will be responsible for educating residents on the need for easements and coordinating the work involved with obtaining them to resolve these issues and repairs.
- A budget increase of $53,400 to increase the public safety grand fund to four new officer positions to be assigned to the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program. A federal grant award provides funding through the Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Hiring Program.
- A request to declare Charles County a “Stroke Smart City”
- “Letters of commitment to partner with Maryland Department of the Environment and Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments on Environmental Protection Agency Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Applications:
- “A letter of support for $575,000 in federal fiscal 2025 earmark funding for Southern Maryland Workforce 2030 into Charles County
- A change order posting a credit of $861,778.17to the Mattawoman Waste Water Treatment Plant Electrical and Automation Improvements construction project to replace a damaged motor control center, replace an existing decommissioned transformer, and install rigid aluminum conduits instead of PVC Coated rigid Conduits in approved locations.
Commissioners received updates on the activities of the Charles County Public Library Board of Trustees, the Charles County Board of Social Services, the Area Council on Aging, and the Adult Public Guardianship Review Board.
Viewing option of the meeting and the Commissioner Listening Session: Click Here
Next Commissioners Session: April 9-10, 2024
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