[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6530652,"mediaKeyId","3645256-134527091a903455b42b3452cd1b7d42","parentId",3645256,"title","Resident urges historic-preservation ordinance and forestry protections in 2040 plan","audioSeconds",80,"startMs",1607000,"endMs",1687000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3645256-134527091a903455b42b3452cd1b7d42&start=1607&end=1687","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3645256-134527091a903455b42b3452cd1b7d42/thumbnail_1607000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6530652/Washington-County/Maryland/Resident-urges-historic-preservation-ordinance-and-forestry-protections-in-2040-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530652-3953831d88fa967152805ed26d599d5f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200683&Signature=Nt9c1YGeWvZvs50SMilf23YOezRAfN5TFwpXsBs035npRzJIPQlD4qIE8uP1jzGxLfZRIoBV0g9MVbyrThxWTkTqSQVWMzuv3WYI5KQgIm~103MoBOvF-iKEiurPIzDLTi3eJRAzO~NSK6jioOcyKxv3AvMNLhSZfau59dGvhibaT48W5Kpn4tQOHyf4aejFGGYM1~A60dbAj7~tSlOIFoSWhEEdvN6sp3Nf3lG8WBAu-bbhs-Zxv5v4LIU1MZHTT7VYyvo5HIpewtpag9jcpu8LaOdDL~H28qw0UrKKr7kIqwO5M7dASGrbOdesHBMJpuI4NKr7oSJ6sdmd6zcmaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Washington County, MD","date","2025-06-04T10:41:27Z","article","Anne Aldridge thanked planning staff for the draft 2040 comprehensive plan and urged stronger protections for historic resources and forestry. \"Historic tourism travel is a key part of our economy. And so I was really pleased to see the emphasis in chapter 5,\" she said.

Aldridge recommended the county start development of an historic-preservation ordinance, update the historic-resources inventory to document 20th-century structures, and clarify demolition and neglected-property ordinances to prevent loss of historic fabric. She said many historic crossroads resources are at risk and that reuse incentives should be considered to avoid demolition.

On forestry, Aldridge and her husband, who manage a small woodland, said they are restoring forest resources to ecological health and noted the plan discusses discouraging animal grazing in certain contexts. She said she would provide written comments to planning staff.

Why it matters: Historic resources and forestry practices affect cultural tourism, heritage conservation and land stewardship. The speaker linked preservation to the county's sense of place and economic activity in tourism.

Ending: Aldridge's comments were submitted during the public-comment period and she said she would follow up with written comments to planning staff.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Public Hearing for Comprehensive Plan 2040","oneSentenceSummary","A resident speaker praised planning staff and asked the county to adopt an historic-preservation ordinance, update inventories to include 20th-century resources, and clarify demolition and neglected-property rules; she also commented on forestry and discouraging animal grazing on restored lands.","taxTitle","Washington County, Maryland","taxId",4677,"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},6530657,"Resident alleges county misrepresented sewer and water compliance; commissioners note health department is state-managed",208,1121000,1329000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3645256-134527091a903455b42b3452cd1b7d42&start=1121&end=1329","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3645256-134527091a903455b42b3452cd1b7d42/thumbnail_1121000.jpg","/articles/6530657/Washington-County/Maryland/Resident-alleges-county-misrepresented-sewer-and-water-compliance-commissioners-note-health-department-is-state-managed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530657-52eae02697b05a82e76a7f26c2f41ee7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200683&Signature=YmrAzf~Rzfuy15omw9b6pMIsCtFZdmldvDrU29TG6Krrx4WBOkEit6sRDyY3ZFA3kJS25Mt5hFzb2MbXUXpODjBFIKQFw~B-~yxg14dRCN519MR3lcr~gIQYFbAv8qIddHd7xZEodQasq1lyONS8cKVVx6oBnrwV8~NcBM1vauv5HNBXY0nEofvTyNZ-YBJLhMUMBGy9tmPl3AaKZ3iLpSP~e5LiIQbeIdOAXesZDmcc-H89RWh0WFlv0OX8oMK9eGbMQCye43sgVWP~tkeATmJYW8p0wiL0E40TmTgBt98X0wF6F-V31wUsgtysG97lN07QrCASGTp8vtKc8xS8ZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Justin Holden used his public-comment time to accuse county officials of misrepresenting water and sewer service and alleged pollution tied to the county's MPDES permit. \"The whole plan's a fraud,\" Holden said, asserting that properties represented as hooked up to water and sewer were discharging into creeks and wells and that the county had not corrected records despite years of correspondence.

Holden said he had pursued records under the Public Information Act and claimed contamination concerns, including fecal coliform in local wells and leaks from ponds. \"We have to come clean. We have to represent to the federal government with our MPDS permit,\" he said.

A commissioner sought clarification and said the county commissioners do not control the county health department and that the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) is the relevant agency for such regulatory oversight. \"I believe that the county commissioners do not have any control or management responsibility or funding for the county health department. That is an MDE state of Maryland issue,\" the commissioner said, and another voice agreed.

Why it matters: Allegations about sewer discharges and permit compliance implicate environmental and public-health concerns. Speakers made allegations during public comment; no staff report or formal evidence was presented during the hearing.

Ending: The exchange occurred during public comment; commissioners did not announce any immediate follow-up action during the hearing.","A resident accused Washington County of misrepresenting water/sewer service and violating MPDES permit conditions; commissioners responded that the county does not control the county health department, which falls under the Maryland Department of the Environment.",{"_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},6530662,"Greater Hagerstown urges early workforce housing study and 'missing middle' focus in 2040 plan",1111,723000,1834000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3645256-134527091a903455b42b3452cd1b7d42&start=723&end=1834","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3645256-134527091a903455b42b3452cd1b7d42/thumbnail_723000.jpg","/articles/6530662/Washington-County/Maryland/Greater-Hagerstown-urges-early-workforce-housing-study-and-missing-middle-focus-in-2040-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530662-0973c393487124efb4dbed970512fe4c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200683&Signature=UU12wuFfLa9cP49TIx5RAjnNJuNkpPKFftYZaDR-XEnk9Z3ecGzre6wZ5GKE~ZJFs2BDk55ITyLrJnjEl9-N-4rTbIT6WT3HE~uWPNeHWdYvvqVQADvBqX7kznM2pazyN-PO1vM-LMmZPiM2YPf01jxB8YYHv9lJ2NTZrTiFpzEdP3B31Hg3fVC~Pzer4L4Tq1B87dWyzi8JOChz1AEqC5bpxDDKLu0PAFycSqaO2UeoawqI0fdClAAuzKAtebBNgR7XP-v~hNil2s4bzklUdUo8EbrC3QKdKOEdWrdELdisEQLmMPQMuB2I34P5FDhfLS95xkvPRtme6qtfbfIxug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jim Kirschfeld, executive director of the Greater Hagerstown Committee, thanked planning staff and the planning commission and urged the county to begin a workforce housing study as a short-term implementation action in Chapter 15. \"We strongly support this concept and would like and believe that should be something that started as quickly as possible,\" Kirschfeld said.

Kirschfeld asked that the study include attention to \"missing middle\" housing — building types between single-family homes and large apartment complexes, such as duplexes, townhouses and small courtyard apartments — that can provide more affordable options for the local workforce. He said the county's median household income supports affordability for homes around $260,000 using a 30 percent-of-income benchmark, but recent sales and prices have widened the gap and made home ownership challenging for workers.

Paul Frey, president of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, told commissioners the chamber's board supports the Greater Hagerstown recommendations. \"We have a very diverse board ... and, again, reinforcing what Jim turned in with Greater Hagerstown. We'd like to support that as well,\" Frey said.

Why it matters: Workforce housing and \"missing middle\" strategies can help align housing supply with local incomes and preserve rural areas by encouraging denser development in urbanized places.

Ending: These comments were part of the public-comment period on the draft 2040 comprehensive plan and did not prompt immediate action during the hearing.","The Greater Hagerstown Committee and the Washington County Chamber of Commerce recommended the county begin a workforce housing study immediately and include \"missing middle\" housing options in implementation of the 2040 comprehensive plan.",{"_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},6530668,"Several property owners ask commissioners to keep parcels inside growth boundary or adjust future land-use labels",415,521000,936000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3645256-134527091a903455b42b3452cd1b7d42&start=521&end=936","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3645256-134527091a903455b42b3452cd1b7d42/thumbnail_521000.jpg","/articles/6530668/Washington-County/Maryland/Several-property-owners-ask-commissioners-to-keep-parcels-inside-growth-boundary-or-adjust-future-land-use-labels","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530668-dbfbb23e4d75fdf636441e7cb191a831/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200683&Signature=XgHFLVR9yLoIRVgTrw6A90PjeVOauMb1LnsXeIH7ax9KnmzXtEHshhzQI4~01Rb8GRN~3plfGIqpvQ4spiEaq0mv-~ZGTtACo92Ha4iXH108~Q6lvDoB0Jo5sTgCsgFf1t2DBH7yVV8e4OLB5NdUVLf7RYyZwxun-xrDPcqsuDLgl3LLBAxLN4XzRYrBEhKp87lnsjb6z4s3rva9WloP3~UfnIRCDrrKk2OmD67SFsQgo8KvwX0ms3AUxwC~bSc7PkJZRnw~VFDwbTElAZUpLIA6-m~b0zHSaMDm9PvOkI8RHhhkye7jZ8q0cwnIyYWZ8Zpt7ltfLYWq8UhDCgOp8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Attorney Jason Diablebus spoke for three property owners and asked the county to make map changes affecting individual parcels, including a 5-acre parcel added to an existing AC&T store, a 36-acre portion of a larger Hershey-family property, and other parcels his clients own. \"The property would request that recommendation change so that the 5 acres that was added in 2021 have the same rural village designation as the corner parcel,\" Diablebus told commissioners.

Bill Erskine, an attorney with Offutt Kerman, and David Tracy, a family representative, asked that portions of Bosteter family properties not be removed from the urban growth area and that split land-use and zoning designations be unified. Erskine said the parcels total about 250 acres and that unified designations would allow \"very creative planning.\" Tracy said the family has owned the land for about 130 years and would like retained growth-area status so they can develop at some point.

Connor McManus, a civil engineer, requested that a 32-acre site at the southwest corner of National Pike and Beaver Creek Road be considered to retain at least the current multifamily (RM) density or keep more of the property with a commercial future land-use designation because of access concerns from National Pike.

Why it matters: Map classifications in the comprehensive plan guide future rezoning, development expectations and infrastructure planning. Landowners seeking consistent land-use labels and inclusion in the primary growth area could preserve options to develop or sell land under existing zoning entitlements.

Ending: These remarks were made during the public-comment period and did not result in immediate action by the county commission at the hearing.","Property representatives asked Washington County to retain or reclassify specific parcels in the draft 2040 comprehensive plan so owners can pursue development or unify split zoning.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":42,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6530673,"Developers urge Washington County to keep UGA acreage, favor 'industrial flex' over strict industrial zoning",322000,402000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3645256-134527091a903455b42b3452cd1b7d42&start=322&end=402","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3645256-134527091a903455b42b3452cd1b7d42/thumbnail_322000.jpg","/articles/6530673/Washington-County/Maryland/Developers-urge-Washington-County-to-keep-UGA-acreage-favor-industrial-flex-over-strict-industrial-zoning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530673-d9678736589308e8d0931dc435661171/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200683&Signature=SdPQw-yuwDTTmpyiPnNB9LpUSSm5a0LAFNaXVRU6~mBEPE6hFodrPFHRP0Ri-9eqDJD3wLD3zlsafZO5e5tW~QyefZQLfAPalBI944xJXu3M~Np~NPY4xBWUA61rzHOXsp~W2wVTXrfoBJWIbIz8PaogKOTjyT41mvFeWXQL67ogPwTH~Z0cpD8SD8Mk~kZRloR6I28I8ysbs5uorRFOZbN4jVnRwbG1WzNBqcH7TIpf8eQiBVQyehdlIOsLoe3mUd7DE4zw7cRJnajXSLXTGPFh0SECJb8xzJEjHIcf~MRt~B-kyomKMQGbfLgLVIyyWyKnh0juQNs3Gr1AWnYG9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rob Faree, representing Bowman Development, urged Washington County not to reduce the urban growth area in the 2040 comprehensive plan and to preserve flexible industrial land-use categories that accommodate a range of businesses. \"Right now, the chapter shows a reduction of about 3,500 acres in the UGA. Why limit growth in a 20 plus year plan?\" Faree said.

The main concern from Faree and other business representatives was a change in Chapter 14's land-use map that appears to replace the existing flexible \"HI\" (heavy industrial) designation with a narrower \"industrial\" use focused on manufacturing, processing and transportation. Faree said that would restrict the mix of uses now located in local business parks. \"A strict interpretation of industrial would not allow this type of use,\" he said of mixed-business parks that include manufacturers, contractors, small warehouses and some commercial offices.

The developers recommended restoring an \"industrial flex\" category like the one in the county's 2002 comprehensive plan. Faree also praised staff work on the plan and asked that action items addressing housing and water be accelerated.

Why it matters: The urban growth area (UGA) and the county's future industrial land classifications shape where development can occur and what types of businesses can locate there. Changing the UGA size or narrowing allowable uses could affect existing business parks and developers' plans for new projects.

Supporting details: Faree pointed to land west of Hitachi and other business parks as examples where flexible zoning supports diverse employers. Other speakers at the hearing also asked that land with existing HI zoning retain commercial classification and stay inside the growth boundary.

Ending: Commissioners did not take a vote at the hearing; the comments were made during the public-comment portion of the 2040 comprehensive plan hearing.","Developers and property representatives told Washington County commissioners the draft 2040 comprehensive plan should not shrink the urban growth area and should retain an 'industrial flex' land-use category rather than a narrow industrial designation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident urges historic-preservation ordinance and forestry protections in 2040 plan

Resident alleges county misrepresented sewer and water compliance; commissioners note health department is state-managed

Greater Hagerstown urges early workforce housing study and 'missing middle' focus in 2040 plan

Several property owners ask commissioners to keep parcels inside growth boundary or adjust future land-use labels

Developers urge Washington County to keep UGA acreage, favor 'industrial flex' over strict industrial zoning