[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6531963,"mediaKeyId","3434219-641d48efaa0452beb97c9ced6be7f15b","parentId",3434219,"title","Planning commission sends Prince Frederick town center plan back for revisions on traffic language, keeps record open","audioSeconds",1162,"startMs",2898000,"endMs",4060000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3434219-641d48efaa0452beb97c9ced6be7f15b&start=2898&end=4060","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3434219-641d48efaa0452beb97c9ced6be7f15b/thumbnail_2898000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6531963/Calvert-County/Maryland/Planning-commission-sends-Prince-Frederick-town-center-plan-back-for-revisions-on-traffic-language-keeps-record-open","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6531963-2af406301e4cb295c398e6e4f681136c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775106789&Signature=ksD~NPyc-9aFB~k0dkYCh~mCMbYqC7G9U3OlMp8MrqkY~b~y-zLRqY3R9Pd1euzeJERY7S0giAyWyVJn6Rhse~l1osXKPtjDEhrtA1PQ7IbUkWuz~Kx6t62wPM-ClJxs~Stn9g2XaoULZ7M3w4A7-Yo4FpelwUGbVH7pmEHEPNVgoYEWjLueXyPAObnkg80~FCRIA~KEtAVl66-bgWZI4KfLUYqHtoieWEowQRoVjWcRXn7mVn-G8nu9sSzKRdr8LG96M5~cNlYRveKTpQl0IY2GgtN-BiyL-1dFhiIJYQavjM0SaL5Nu2V2iXt6N162XMU9LZv-q~XSzIswSmVNRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Calvert County, MD","date","2025-05-21T00:00:00Z","article","The Calvert County Planning Commission on May 21, 2025 voted to direct Planning and Zoning staff to add explicit language about traffic congestion to the draft Prince Frederick Town Center Master Plan and to keep the public record open for additional review. The motion also reiterated a prior April 16 commission direction that failing intersections and the consequences under the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) be described in the draft.

Tae Harris, long-range planner for the Department of Planning and Zoning, presented draft Chapters 1 (Town Centers) and 2 (Prince Frederick Town Center) of the county's Master Plan of Town Centers and summarized key elements: purpose and vision for town centers, recommended land uses and five focus areas, watershed-level natural-resource planning, heritage and archaeology considerations, housing forecasts (the plan notes roughly 1,700 existing housing units in the town center with anticipated redevelopment and infill), transportation needs including intersections nearing capacity, and water resources and stormwater management considerations.

During an extended discussion several commissioners said the draft did not reflect a unanimous April 16 commission directive to include text saying certain intersections are failing under APFO criteria and to explain the potential restrictions that failure would place on new commercial and residential development in affected areas. A planning commissioner noted that, under APFO rules, failure can trigger developer remediation, state or county-funded remediation, or a multi-year delay on development.

A member of the public, Bob Estes of Friends of Hunting Creek, spoke in favor of environmental protections and noted watershed impervious-surface thresholds and the value of preserving pervious surfaces. Commissioners and staff discussed options for keeping the plan accurate as conditions change; planning staff signaled concern about hard-coding intersection lists because traffic conditions evolve. Commissioners asked that planning staff include specific failing intersections as of the plan's publication date and add a reference — for example, a hyperlink — to a Department of Public Works-maintained, continuously updated list of intersections and APFO status so readers can find current data without triggering repeated plan text amendments.

A commissioner moved that Planning and Zoning be required to add text under the traffic-congestion section that identifies specific intersections failing under APFO criteria (including the intersections cited by commissioners during the hearing) and to keep the public record open for additional comment; the motion included language that remedies likely to restore adequacy should be listed in an appendix where practicable. After a friendly amendment to leave timing of record closure open, the motion passed on a voice vote. Commissioners also asked Planning and Zoning to schedule a work session with the Department of Public Works to review which failures might be remediable by signal timing or other lower-cost measures and which would require major construction.

No final consistency finding or formal adoption was made at the May 21 hearing; the record will remain open while staff prepares revised text and supporting materials for further review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Commission - Public Hearing - May 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Planning Commission on May 21, 2025 directed Planning and Zoning staff to add explicit language about failing intersections and APFO implications to the draft Prince Frederick Town Center Master Plan and to keep the public record open for further comment.","taxTitle","Calvert County, Maryland","taxId",61673,"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},6531968,"Planning commission defers text amendment requiring county facilities to tie into water/sewer within 300 feet, asks staff to exempt irrigation",655,2214000,2869000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3434219-641d48efaa0452beb97c9ced6be7f15b&start=2214&end=2869","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3434219-641d48efaa0452beb97c9ced6be7f15b/thumbnail_2214000.jpg","/articles/6531968/Calvert-County/Maryland/Planning-commission-defers-text-amendment-requiring-county-facilities-to-tie-into-watersewer-within-300-feet-asks-staff-to-exempt-irrigation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6531968-8e8a1e96e43ff08e9004bbfc267d44d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775106789&Signature=nPoJ-83T39itetcU4vaYkYst-C-5BOnZRldntUmqYcAEQ6bvAkT78Ixxh~dMwuXRfXUzfqKyym4~VMERJBXn3cy5BGbEQplDwA4-1XjYiUsJiaj-0-oYrDjQXJnqszm-fcIy5yV-WyUDsu4a-kt1suulQKJb7Pgo7UegTMohROmDRnnXWfQN5GwV8YpfdrijpCodrRleewbqCu6v8guBYH9LNjALDw-5NSRJ-C2agszNQ2qATs7eYMRBrDEmURkwuYVGhlTC5HodVmcftjz5Xb2vHXhnoMXDlQBfrfoEi0XLPgYdUOnJFB2ryQr-msLlntqstKK33TP93YXJJtEaag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Calvert County Planning Commission on May 21, 2025 voted to defer action on Text Amendment Case 25-01 to allow county staff to rework proposed language and to keep the public record open for additional review.

James Rehrer, deputy director for Public Works, said the proposed amendment would require \"all county owned facilities located within 300 feet of a public water or sewer line to connect to the system.\" Rehrer told commissioners the change is intended to promote efficiency, environmental protection and cost-effective service delivery by using existing infrastructure.

During discussion, commissioners raised concerns that, as drafted, the amendment could force abandonment of functioning private on-site systems that were recently installed at county-owned properties and could require the county to pay to abandon those systems. Commissioners also pressed staff to exempt irrigation wells from mandatory connection because irrigation wells are typically nonpotable and may have MDE (Maryland Department of the Environment) exemptions.

Rehrer confirmed that, under the draft text, connections would be required within a year if service becomes available in the applicable water/sewer category and that staff did not identify any properties currently required to connect. Commissioners pointed out that parts of Halloween Point Park are within 300 feet of public service lines and questioned whether the initial \"none affected\" statement needed clarification.

After discussion a commissioner moved that the Planning Commission defer the item, leave the record open, and direct Department of Public Works staff to revise the proposed amendment to address two points: (1) not require abandonment of otherwise functional on-site well/septic systems where tying in would be unnecessary or wasteful; and (2) explicitly exempt irrigation systems from the mandatory tie-in requirement. The motion was seconded and passed on an affirmative voice vote.

The deferral instructs staff to draft revised language for the commission's review at a future meeting; no final determination on consistency with the comprehensive plan was made at the May 21 hearing.","The Planning Commission deferred action on Text Amendment Case 25-01, which would require county-owned facilities within 300 feet of public water or sewer to connect, and directed staff to revise the draft to exempt irrigation systems and reconsider mandatory tie-in where functioning on-site systems exist.",{"_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},6531973,"Planning commission recommends Halloween Point Park master plan update to BOCC",1736,444000,2180000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3434219-641d48efaa0452beb97c9ced6be7f15b&start=444&end=2180","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3434219-641d48efaa0452beb97c9ced6be7f15b/thumbnail_444000.jpg","/articles/6531973/Calvert-County/Maryland/Planning-commission-recommends-Halloween-Point-Park-master-plan-update-to-BOCC","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6531973-e205c3f524b90a87fcbecd1eab0cf6f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775106790&Signature=PeDC9SJaYqiLpZ1psRHvIML6q8V6PPnmm8kTpaoOCinkGCS3t7tQB7Fal4FWNJkXlDj0-LWOZxsbZb-5Wu9-gje~kzVf7SFVz7auxX~t9LoeIvgSr6X4qNsN0p32qwHghIoIsNw7xPVtkUIULazmu4LriAlWHvDa6CgdZM5fQy833XDqnTpQm2ZkEvqCsoBv1PH3-OV9Rnv-02wT-bJYcDNxhqWvthylBc81Csp8WmY7M8G-o6W-5riFQITy-YAs8hZ-E9-d2n841LvMwPrZsFBbzOrbz7KAdZyrALt8JjMnvuDjZI1cvf0eDfXGr5CnCMMjZcdwhfiX2iu4kMblEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Calvert County Planning Commission on May 21, 2025 voted to close the public record on and find the Halloween Point Park Master Plan update consistent with the Calvert County Comprehensive Plan and to recommend adoption by the Board of County Commissioners.

The vote followed a staff presentation by Stephanie Sperling, park planner for Calvert County Department of Parks and Recreation, who said Halloween Point Park, at 4755 Halloween Point Road in Prince Frederick, \"is an 81-acre park in Calvert County featuring athletic fields, walking paths, a playground, a basketball court, tennis courts, and pickleball courts.\" Sperling told commissioners the department contracted Murphy and Dittenhofer in 2023, collected more than 2,000 community survey responses, and completed a draft plan in September 2024 identifying needs for paved walking paths, natural surface trails, field upgrades and other amenities.

The draft plan includes a range of suggested improvements: new and improved paved and natural trails, upgrades to multiuse and baseball/softball fields (including proposals to convert one or more outfields to synthetic turf), an additional pavilion and playground, and an in-ground skate park. Sperling said cost estimates for proposed upgrades are included in the draft document and funds to update the master plan were previously procured.

State and county review agencies returned comments during a 60-day review. Sperling summarized responses from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Maryland Department of Planning, the Maryland Department of the Environment and the Maryland Historical Trust and noted comments from the Calvert County Historic District Commission and the Calvert County Environmental Commission. She said DNR was \"very positive\" about recreational aspects of the plan, the Department of Planning urged improved bicycle and pedestrian access to the park, and the Department of the Environment raised standard construction-related points including soil contamination screening, lighting, electric vehicle charging, petroleum storage and solid-waste management during construction.

Historic-preservation reviewers raised questions about three historic farm structures previously present on or near the site and asked the county to document and include a treatment plan. Sperling said two historic barns remain on county property and that one barn near the playground dates to roughly the mid-19th century; the Maryland Historical Trust and the county Historic District Commission recommended adding descriptions of the barns and considering archaeological potential where trails are proposed. Sperling said staff will amend the draft to incorporate the preservation and archaeology comments, and that park signage and improved interpretive displays are one likely approach.

Park access and traffic were also raised. Bob Prandham, director of Parks and Recreation, said county staff are pursuing coordination with State Highway Administration on a near-term fix and have scheduled additional meetings to consider signage, bollards and other measures. Prandham said staff are \"looking for a much more expedited answer to control that, because we do recognize it's a dangerous situation.\"

After the presentation and questions, a commissioner moved to close the record, find the master plan update consistent with the county comprehensive plan and recommend adoption by the Board of County Commissioners; another commissioner seconded. The motion passed on an affirmative voice vote from commissioners present.

The planning commission's action was a consistency finding and recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners; final adoption remains with the BOCC.","Calvert County planning commissioners found the Halloween Point Park master plan update consistent with the county comprehensive plan and recommended the Board of County Commissioners adopt it, after staff presented proposed park improvements, agency comments and concerns about two historic barns and park access.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning commission sends Prince Frederick town center plan back for revisions on traffic language, keeps record open

Planning commission defers text amendment requiring county facilities to tie into water/sewer within 300 feet, asks staff to exempt irrigation

Planning commission recommends Halloween Point Park master plan update to BOCC