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Board schedules new public hearing on Appleland comprehensive plan change after members say initial presentation was unclear
Summary
At its Feb. 26 meeting the Frederick County Board of Supervisors voted to add the Appleland comprehensive plan amendment back to the agenda and hold a public hearing at the board's second March meeting after several supervisors said they lacked information during the prior vote.
The Frederick County Board of Supervisors voted Feb. 26 to place the Appleland comprehensive plan amendment back on the agenda and to hold a public hearing at the board's second March meeting so residents can comment before the board votes again.
The motion, made by Supervisor Dunn and seconded from the dais, followed several supervisors saying they did not have sufficient information when the board previously considered the amendment. Supervisor Dunn said the prior presentation was “confusing and unclear” and asked that the board hear from the applicant, staff and neighbors before taking another vote.
Board staff and the county parliamentarian explained procedural options. The parliamentarian noted that while Robert's Rules of Order allow a member to bring an item back for another vote, a formal public hearing requires the board to vote to schedule it and that advertising timelines make a hearing unlikely at the next meeting. County staff said routine public-notice advertising typically runs over a two‑week schedule.
Supervisor Dunn urged the board to hold the hearing in order to collect public input from residents of the Bartonsville area and nearby Back Creek and Opequin magisterial districts, citing historic homes near the proposed change and earlier public concerns about commercial traffic. Supervisor Pearson, county staff, and other supervisors discussed prior Planning Commission activity and earlier postponements by applicants.
The board approved the motion to schedule a public hearing at the second March meeting (the board’s later meeting in March) by recorded vote. Supervisors Jewell, Dunn, Wells, Lockridge, Leerro and the chair voted aye; the motion passed.
The board clarified this action concerns a comprehensive plan amendment only, not a rezoning. County staff said the prior public hearing had been held but that further hearings are permissible and that members of the public may speak at the opening of the meeting on an agenda item if a separate hearing is not scheduled.
The board’s action places the Appleland item back on a future agenda and will provide another formal opportunity for public comment before any final board decision.
