Planning Commission — 2023-02-01

This February 1, 2023 Planning Commission work session reviewed citizen feedback on the Draft Comprehensive Plan and discussed growth, density, and annexation issues. Commissioners noted disagreement on parts of the Draft Plan, expressed concern about the potential number of new residential units in growth areas, and agreed the Draft’s potential housing unit totals should be reduced. They discussed sewer and annexation constraints (including EDU/allocation fees and state rules about septic), recommended prioritizing growth along the Rt. 304 corridor with uses like healthcare and technology, and supported revising zoning to allow accessory dwelling units in R-1 and R-2. The Commission agreed to rework Planned Unit Development (PUD) language to provide a simpler, higher-density option for large projects, and noted the Town needs the completed Comprehensive Plan for Maryland Department of the Environment approval of the water/wastewater plan. No citizens spoke at the meeting.