[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6345683,"mediaKeyId","2248695-f8d1918d92f8f30f393b3e02813e9888","parentId",2248695,"title","Planning commission grants continuance for St. Mary's Marketplace concept site plan","audioSeconds",204,"startMs",223000,"endMs",427000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2248695-f8d1918d92f8f30f393b3e02813e9888&start=223&end=427","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2248695-f8d1918d92f8f30f393b3e02813e9888/thumbnail_223000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6345683/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Planning-commission-grants-continuance-for-St-Marys-Marketplace-concept-site-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6345683-bf7ced808d00e2663632c27f201ca592/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177232&Signature=md~7~-Ui25Nn3dPivgbhGY4qLfTkMePn0IdyJwAXOu4nosxUj3myx0hs9~6-Jt4QP~nr8s5PYMihmGIlJBsXGDY3KY~CJUIgkBR-3fQg-WEe0eyBIWLzn4T3DN5ehm7L69gh5ET4MvMQoeg~AaL2hYeyT6Yc6oE4a0997Uc1Q25aXRxN8Jm5YM38GobwmFzzxsB2CiEmORzAifE4AEut5ZjqzLQK~zG2Y-CX1rKUAhZMeXE0BRITYpVTdGSv-VlA9wOW8L3FjCJTwD7wbaO3DeynPXdMmFFX-U5drg310OEX9q0WloN0-fXoIwpoZsgUSPXRWzR6IPY79t80EZI-jw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Mary's County, MD","date","2025-02-07T20:01:29Z","article","The Planning Commission voted to continue a requested concept site-plan review for the St. Mary's Marketplace shopping center to an October meeting at the applicant's request.

Staff read a letter from the applicant asking for a continuance of review and approval for a concept site plan for a 121,242-square-foot retail center. The applicant requested October 13 but staff and commissioners noted that date conflicted with the Columbus Day holiday; the commission agreed to move the matter to the October 14 meeting to avoid conflict.

Commissioners approved the continuance on a motion by Planning Commission member (Ms.) Guazzo, seconded by Mr. Hayden. The chair said the item would be placed near the front of the next meeting agenda to reduce the applicant's waiting time.

No substantive action on the site plan was taken at the September 22 meeting; the applicant will appear at the October meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","9/22/2008 St. Mary's County Planning Commission","oneSentenceSummary","The commission granted a continuance at the applicant's request for the St. Mary's Marketplace concept site plan; the item was rescheduled to the October 14 meeting to accommodate a holiday scheduling conflict.","taxTitle","St. Mary's County, Maryland","taxId",51086,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6345688,"Planning commission recommends correcting zoning map to restore Harborview Marina's commercial-marine designation",5404,3954000,9358000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2248695-f8d1918d92f8f30f393b3e02813e9888&start=3954&end=9358","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2248695-f8d1918d92f8f30f393b3e02813e9888/thumbnail_3954000.jpg","/articles/6345688/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Planning-commission-recommends-correcting-zoning-map-to-restore-Harborview-Marinas-commercial-marine-designation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6345688-4b532edbf05e226eeea9f309bd0dc439/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177232&Signature=b4ijmhL4twmL9Me2~jDHJQ0RwlBXOQaxxA60DTewUOMHUj6a0lhTaFCySyASXDRgWB9TB1Er5zeThHZgLJ66JbkW7MQ824nhbd4VUcYRL4WWL5kFarjhUWoAoktHUl25~JCioiucdK~eRL8Ja~OlbxmZ62ajKs9FtjkXocCrIvvpiFF-OM1h-gi9PhOaOeQQLN3MvCE4ewodd~ropj67TLJIYmmwG38TXF08FQHpHtbsA03npuVU6s7lTyscyTr8J0DstbFRtuKPbjp-8NA24wkKilhOefLXAAsE7ZzmImEKqFxPzlo46sIX05lD8eOaJCxeC5nFF4qjxtUhd42XEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Mary's County Planning Commission voted to recommend that the Board of County Commissioners correct a mapping error from the county's 2002 comprehensive rezoning by restoring a Commercial Marine designation to Lot 1 of Parcel 16 (Harborview Marina) and by rezoning Parcel 351 to the Rural Preservation District (RPD) where commercial marine was mistakenly applied.

County staff described the matter as a drafting error that resulted when the county's digital zoning layer was applied to a different tax-map base. Staff's historical review shows the Board of County Commissioners intended the Harborview property (Parcel 16) to carry a Commercial Marine (CM) designation after the 2002 comprehensive rezoning, but the official digital zoning map ultimately showed CM on a neighboring Parcel 351 instead.

Phil Dorsey, the property owner and applicant, presented historical documents and simplified site plans showing longstanding water-dependent and commercial marine uses at Harborview (marina, pump-out and fuel facilities, prior restaurant and seafood operations). Dorsey said the facility has supplied gas and pump-out services to the boating community for decades and that he has operated it as a mixed commercial/residential site.

Neighbors and homeowners in the Harborview Villas subdivision expressed concern about the proximity of four existing townhouse lots to the marina building and parking area. Speakers noted private covenants and shared easements, flood-plain constraints and limited on-site parking that may limit future commercial expansion. The Harborview Villas homeowners association said the site's small size and encumbrances make substantial commercial redevelopment unlikely.

Staff recommended that Parcel 16 Lot 1 be restored to Commercial Marine only if the Board of County Commissioners finds a mapping error; staff also recommended rezoning Parcel 351 to RPD and pointed out that keeping Parcel 16 as RPD would preserve the property's nonconforming marina use without enabling new commercial uses that could affect adjacent residences.

After hearing testimony, the Planning Commission voted (motion by Ms. Guazzo, seconded by Mr. Thompson) to recommend three map changes: rezone Parcel 351 (Lot 501A and Lot 2) to RPD and rezone Lot 1 of Parcel 16 to Commercial Marine while leaving Lots 2, 3 and 4 (Harborview Villas Lots 2-5) as RPD. The motion carried; one member (Ms. McNeil) recorded opposition.","After a contested hearing, the Planning Commission recommended that Lot 1 of Parcel 16 (Harborview Marina) be rezoned to Commercial Marine and that portions of Parcel 351 be rezoned to RPD to correct a mapping error dating to the 2002 comprehensive rezoning.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6345692,"Planning commission opens hearing on small wind turbines; staff continues review after questions",2143,1703000,3846000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2248695-f8d1918d92f8f30f393b3e02813e9888&start=1703&end=3846","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2248695-f8d1918d92f8f30f393b3e02813e9888/thumbnail_1703000.jpg","/articles/6345692/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Planning-commission-opens-hearing-on-small-wind-turbines-staff-continues-review-after-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6345692-9899843043c9b82c50fa85424b11b198/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177232&Signature=RE6V9ghm3cHdwxSNqEjABKtJQh1wUajyifIQVeeEnowEr-GHpaWF2SfTcplHxv86peCIPOE3Z1sAqS17iYo714gHYUvo49Bp1Mn~TD~tyzcBHOw~lgXiN4j8aMPg5-3Zse25woqZDK8njI8x5f6ZKDRPn2CCtx9na1m1cC9GYIH9sIqmveMzbIX5d2vE0CiobI7peYBc7uaaB8T7FNytY27IBb61b31MspkRtG8oVzLw~lHdVTsgLb3YynzCScBA5hWtXoVn6wr7tI8DAxxeD7jsjHXvtYEVCvdk-Zvk5~3QX1TqZ9MXIEs9o6H6vaKWAx~8ShGJQjqo2~CixaK~gg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Mary's County Planning Commission opened a public hearing on proposed zoning text amendments to add \"small wind energy systems\" as a permitted accessory use and to establish size, siting and safety standards. Staff described the draft rules and asked the commission to leave the hearing open for additional public input and technical review.

Staff explained that the proposed new use (use type 118) would allow single-tower small wind energy conversion systems sized at 100 kilowatts or less for on-site consumption. The draft accessory standards staff presented would limit installations to parcels of at least one-half acre, require compliance with the State Building Code and National Electrical Code, mandate setbacks equal to tower height, cap height at 80 feet for parcels between one-half and one acre and up to 150 feet on parcels of one acre or more, and require a minimum 15-foot blade-tip clearance over ground.

County staff cited the Maryland Energy Administration, the U.S. Department of Energy and the American Wind Energy Association for background on system sizing and net metering; staff also noted Maryland net-metering rules and FAA lighting requirements where applicable. Staff recommended accessory standards be added to chapters 50, 51 and 98 of the zoning ordinance and asked the commission to accept the draft language as a starting point.

Commissioners and members of the public raised questions about likely wind speeds in St. Mary's County (staff and public attendees noted coastal shoreline areas offer the best potential), noise standards, the potential conflict with the Atlantic Flyway for migratory birds, how \"site\" is defined (staff indicated the intent was a single residential site), and whether homeowners association covenants could override the new rules.

Public speakers included property owners and an engineer who said historical marine uses and local conditions require careful review. Several commissioners asked staff to obtain additional technical information (including localized wind data, examples from other Maryland counties and critical-area commission guidance on structures in the 200-foot no-touch buffer) before proceeding.

The commission voted to continue the hearing and requested staff return with additional information at the next scheduled meeting; the hearing was continued to October 23.","The commission opened a public hearing on proposed zoning text amendments to allow small wind energy systems as an accessory use, heard technical background from staff, and voted to continue the hearing for more public input and technical information.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6345696,"Planning commission backs shortening Board of Appeals decision deadline for critical-area cases",1219,483000,1702000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2248695-f8d1918d92f8f30f393b3e02813e9888&start=483&end=1702","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2248695-f8d1918d92f8f30f393b3e02813e9888/thumbnail_483000.jpg","/articles/6345696/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Planning-commission-backs-shortening-Board-of-Appeals-decision-deadline-for-critical-area-cases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6345696-d97c4118e13e33ae442aa75342144c25/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177232&Signature=Fmi4iik6SS5mmG5MIo80qBvmDydNafmf5DjUIr~RuSrtXyGzlDX6jXB3I1~yAr~CSsojGTunA~lLsZnmZMiBoWOZ8pjKP2Lgk9v~6XEPuiuXfxliaCcDaNxYdfK9s3fCCJGjhrp5rRYEsxrtMGFDXzRH5dRR1387lgzLU23qygMXJrGxKA73kD2Quj42VVai-wr1uAAcZ0nrRyyChal5JwdzxjWmzQXsYeKFVS1pnmwmyAgAYFXm9XCrFiL0JND7G-sWeLGX1aYM7Wz~y4VxZvkPDW0FRtJ2emm5ZPzXyr1~uucuKRXy8FOOsJpB1dLBdPHX7SBvKf2EQdPd0rxQ5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Mary's County Planning Commission voted to recommend an amendment to the county zoning ordinance that would require the Board of Appeals to issue written decisions on matters within the jurisdiction of the Critical Area Commission within 30 days of the close of the public hearing, down from the current 60 days, with a limited extension provision.

The change was prompted by recent state critical-area legislation (House Bill 1253) and county concern that the length of time between an appeals decision and issuance of a building permit can leave applicants in limbo. Yvonne Shelley, a staff member in the Department of Land Use and Growth Management, told the commission that state law now prohibits issuing a building permit for a critical-area variance during the 30-day appeal period that follows the Board of Appeals' written order.

Shelley and Director Dennis Canavan said most Board of Appeals decisions are prepared within 30 days in routine cases, but staff and the Board sometimes face scheduling conflicts, cancelled hearings or complex cases that require additional attorney review. To address those situations, the proposed change allows the Board chairman to extend the 30-day deadline up to a maximum of 60 days, based on findings of complexity or scheduling problems.

Commission members debated whether a time limit should be mandatory or merely encouraged. Several commissioners said they supported the staff's recommended compromise: require the 30-day standard to speed outcomes for applicants while still permitting the chairman to grant extensions when a case genuinely warrants more time.

Planning Commission member Mary McNeil moved approval of the text amendment and Joel Thompson seconded. The commission voted to recommend the amendment to the Board of County Commissioners; the motion carried and the measure will now go forward for the Commissioners' consideration.

The ordinance language the commission reviewed would add a new subsection limiting written decisions on cases within the Critical Area Commission's jurisdiction to 30 days and explicitly allow the Board of Appeals to extend that period to 60 days for good cause.","The St. Mary's County Planning Commission voted to recommend changing the zoning ordinance to require the Board of Appeals to issue written decisions on cases within the Critical Area Commission\romain in 30 days (with an extension option), down from 60 days.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning commission grants continuance for St. Mary's Marketplace concept site plan

Planning commission recommends correcting zoning map to restore Harborview Marina's commercial-marine designation

Planning commission opens hearing on small wind turbines; staff continues review after questions

Planning commission backs shortening Board of Appeals decision deadline for critical-area cases