REMINDER: WE MOVED!
During the month of March, the Department of Planning & Zoning (P&Z), including the Office of Inspections & Permits, moved from the County Services Plaza at 150 Main St., into the Courthouse Square building at 205 Main St., Prince Frederick. These offices are located on the first and second floors of the building. The mailboxes at the County Services Plaza have been removed. The mailboxes for drop-off and pick-up are located by the entrance of Courthouse Square.
Staff continues to provide services by email, phone, drop box and in person. All phone numbers and email addresses have remained the same. For best in-person customer service, please call and make an appointment.
The P&Z Department is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Inspections & Permits hours are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Department of Public Works has moved to 100 Skipjack Road. Administrative and utility billing services for the Water & Sewer Division is now located at the Community Resources Building at 30 Duke St. All phone numbers and email addresses remain the same.
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Staff Changes
Please see recent staff updates below for the Department of Planning & Zoning and the Department of Public Works.
Retirements & Departures:
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John Swartz, Environmental Regulator for the Department of Planning & Zoning – Retired April 2021
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Danielle Conrow, Deputy Director of Engineering and Highways for the Department of Public Works – Last day on June 30
Promotions/Transfers/New Hires:
- Ron Marney, promoted to Environmental Regulator for the Department of Planning & Zoning in May 2021
- George Fallat, hired as Engineering Division Chief for the Department of Public Works, started May 3
- James Ritter, Acting Deputy Director of Enterprise Fund Operations for the Department of Public Works
- Chris Hall, Acting Division Chief of Water & Sewer for the Department of Public Works
Vacancies:
- Department of Planning & Zoning: Rural Planner III, Permit Technician and Plumbing Inspector
- Department of Public Works: Deputy Director of Engineering and Highways and Deputy Director of Enterprise Funds
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Calvert County Lifts Local State of Emergency
The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted to lift the local state of emergency for Calvert County effective July 4, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. The state of emergency declaration was initially executed on March 17, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Calvert County followed Gov. Larry Hogan’s action to end emergency mandates and restrictions including the statewide mask order in effect for any settings, including schools, camps and child care facilities.
"The BOCC wants to thank each and every citizen for doing their part to help make it possible for us to lift the state of emergency,” said BOCC President Earl F. “Buddy” Hance. “There is no playbook on navigating a global health crisis. Through the strength and vigilance of residents and businesses, we’ve seen a significant decline of COVID-19 cases and I couldn’t be happier to take another step toward recovery.”
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The Maryland Planning Commissioners Association (MPCA) Conference works to improve the lives of all Marylanders through planning, environmental protection, historic preservation and growth management. The conference caters to a variety of audiences, including Planning Commissioners, Board of Appeals members or anyone interested in citizen planning as an opportunity to learn, share experiences and exchange ideas. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the MPCA conducted last year’s conference virtually. For 2021, we are aiming to learn in person together at Solomons Island in Calvert County. The MPCA will adjust according to the state of the pandemic.
Last year’s conference and session topics focused on planning during a pandemic, while this year the MPCA wants to focus on what's to come. This year’s conference theme is "Let’s Get Back to It!" The benefits of a functioning and thriving citizen planning board are more apparent than ever.
The 38th annual conference will offer topics of interest to more than 1,400 citizen planners serving Maryland's counties and municipalities. The MPCA is still finalizing the 2021 conference agenda and will post it here when available.
- Standard Registration: $145
- Early Bird: $130 (ends Aug. 31)
- Student: $70
- Open Meetings Act: $10.14
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Planning Commission Meetings for 2021:
On June 16, 2021, the Planning Commission voted to begin holding hybrid meetings starting Aug. 25, 2021. Hybrid meetings will allow Planning Commissioners and citizens to have a choice between attending meetings in person at the Harriet E. Brown Community Center or via Zoom.
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Board of Appeals
The Board of Appeals (BOA) meets monthly to consider variances, special exceptions and decisions on alleged error cases. The 2021 BOA schedule, agendas and information may be accessed on the Board of Appeals webpage.
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TEG/SEG Dates and Information
The Technical Evaluation Group (TEG) and the Subdivision Evaluation Group (SEG) reviews site plans and subdivisions to ensure proposed and existing commercial development complies with all county ordinances and state regulations.
TEG meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month (except for November and December, due to the holidays). The meetings begin at 8:30 a.m. and are held virtually. Visit the Calvert County Government website for the schedules and additional information.
PRE-CONCEPT: New Guidelines
TECHNICAL EVALUATION GROUP (TEG) & SUBDIVISION EVALUATION GROUP (SEG) PRE-CONCEPT REVIEW GUIDELINES
-UPDATED June 21, 2021-
On Dec. 16, 2020, a pre-concept review option was made available for prospective project applicants. Below, please find an update to the Pre-Concept Review Guidelines.
1) A pre-concept review is a free service to allow those responsible for projects to quickly present and receive feedback on a specific project concept. This also allows the opportunity to meet reviewers and discuss setting up additional meetings.
2) Only one pre-concept review of a project or similar project will be allowed within a 12-month period.
- Time begins the day of TEG or SEG review.
3) Time:
- Five minutes is allotted to present to the reviewers in attendance.
- 10 minutes is allotted for reviewing agencies to collectively respond.
- Five additional minutes is allotted for questions and answers.
- The amount of time allotted to in all cases may be increased or decreased at the discretion of the Planning Commission Administrator or designee and is dependent upon the time constraints of the meeting, number of reviews or staff schedules.
4) No more than three pre-concept projects will be permitted on a TEG or SEG meeting.
- Pre-concept reviews will be added to an agenda on a first-come first-serve basis
- Only complete pre-concept review submittals, as determined by the development review coordinator or designee, will be added to a TEG or SEG meeting agenda.
- Submittals must be completed and sent to the development review coordinator the Thursday before a TEG or SEG meeting.
- “Complete” submittals contain the following features at a minimum:
- Legible concept plan with location and any/all proposed buildings, aerial/ap of parcel with property outlined;
- Tax Map;
- Proposed use statement;
- List of questions the applicant would like reviewers to comment on based on submittal documents.
5) Responsible persons may choose to be joined by a professional engineer or architect.
6) Professionally designed or engineered drawings are not required at this time; however, if detailed information is submitted, you may receive more comprehensive feedback.
7) If more time to speak with a reviewing agency is needed, a request can be made during the review and further discussion held in a separate meeting.
8) All TEG/SEG meetings are recorded. Responsible persons may review the recording at a later date to ascertain they captured all pertinent and important comments.
Red Line Revisions and Vesting of Site Plan Projects
Per Article 4-2 of the Calvert County Zoning Ordinance, a detailed site plan (Category I and Category II) is vested for 36 months once the plan is approved and stamped by the Development Review Coordinator. Before or during construction, any changes to that approved site plan must be shown on a red-line revision clearly showing the change and the assigned red-line project number along with appropriate notes regarding the changes. Red-line revisions DO NOT change the vested or expiration date of the project.
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Town Center Master Plan and Zoning Updates
Prince Frederick
The county and consultant staff hosted a virtual public meeting on March 31, 2021 and presented a preferred land use scenario. The Department of Planning & Zoning have been networking additional CCG staff and the consultant team to prepare a draft for the Prince Frederick Town Center Master Plan. Staff presented a working draft of the master plan to the Planning Commission on June 16, 2021. Once the remaining few draft chapters are complete, the full draft plan will be released to the public for comment. Check the Town Center’s project webpage for the latest details.
Dunkirk
The public kick-off meeting for the Dunkirk Town Center Master Plan and Zoning Update was held virtually on June 2, 2021. The meeting was broadcast live on Comcast Channel 6 and 1070 HD and broadcast live on the county’s website and Facebook page. The recording is available via the county’s website. The update is currently in it's "Identify Issues" phase.
The public was invited to participate in two surveys for the master plan update. The first survey asked for feedback about what topics people would like addressed in the updated master plan. The other survey was a photo survey providing those interested in the Dunkirk Town Center to offer their opinions about the visual quality of the town center: buildings, places, landscapes, streetscapes, etc.
Another public meeting was held July 15, 2021 at 7 p.m. This workshop was a hybrid meeting to discuss survey results about what citizens wanted to see for the Dunkirk District Town Center. Those wishing to watch the meeting can do so here.
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Updates to the Calvert County Zoning Ordinance and Official Zoning Maps are Underway
The ordinance rewrite and map revisions are being completed following the adoption of the Calvert County Comprehensive Plan. As required by the State Land Use Law, the ordinance must be consistent with the adopted comprehensive plan. Additionally, the ordinance is being reorganized and reformatted to be more user friendly for citizens to look up the County’s zoning regulations. Ordinance chapters are being combined for ease in finding information. Keep watching the Calvert 2040 webpage on the County’s website for updates including schedules for citizen participation to provide input on the draft ordinance and map.
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Upcoming Holidays
Labor Day: Monday, Sept. 6
Columbus Day: Monday, Oct. 11
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410-535-1600, ext. 2379, if there are topics of interest or information
you'd like included.
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Carolyn Sunderland, AICP
Deputy Director of Planning & Zoning
410-535-1600, ext. 2380
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Olivia Vidotto
Planner III
410-535-1600, ext. 2379
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