In a recent government meeting, officials discussed significant changes to land use policies concerning waterfront properties in Lancaster County. The current regulation mandates an 800-foot buffer from streams and tidal marshes, which is eight times more stringent than the state code's requirement of 100 feet. This discrepancy has raised questions about the practicality and fairness of applying the same standards to non-waterfront properties.

One official emphasized the need to differentiate between waterfront and non-waterfront properties, suggesting that the county should revise its guidelines to reflect this distinction. The proposed changes aim to create a baseline tidal shoreline overlay, which would be based on actual open water and tidal marshes, potentially reducing the buffer requirement from 800 feet to a range of 604 to 800 feet.

The discussion highlighted the complexities of the current regulations, particularly how they affect property owners who may not have direct access to water. Officials noted that while the 800-foot overlay aims to limit the number of septic systems and protect the environment, it may inadvertently restrict land use for those without waterfront access.

The meeting also touched on the Chesapeake Bay Act, which establishes a 100-foot buffer for water bodies, further complicating the conversation around local regulations. Officials are considering various options to update the code language to better align with environmental data and community needs.

As the county moves forward with these discussions, the focus remains on balancing environmental protection with the rights and needs of property owners, ensuring that regulations are both effective and equitable.