The Kent County Planning Commission adopted its 2024 annual report at a July 10 meeting and heard staff updates on the new land-use ordinance, upcoming applications, and a planned hire to fill an associate-planner position.

Carla Gerber (planning staff) told the commission the annual report, which the department files with the Maryland Department of Planning, shows 40 new house permits issued in 2024; 12 were in the county's priority funding area, 28 were outside that area, 11 fell in the priority preservation area, and three were replacement dwellings. "As you can see, there were, 40, new house permits issued in 2024," Gerber said. The planning department submitted the annual report for the July 1 deadline and asked the commission to adopt the report so staff can file a copy with the county commissioners.

A commissioner moved to adopt the Kent County Department of Planning, Housing, and Zoning annual report for calendar year 2024; the motion was seconded and the commission voted in favor.

In a staff report, planning staff said the county commissioners will consider adoption of a new land-use ordinance and zoning map on July 15; the ordinance will become effective 10 days after adoption. Staff also said the county has secured penultimate approval from the Critical Area Commission and that the department will distribute copies of the new ordinance to the commission when it is final.

Staff previewed likely September agenda items, including a community solar application on industrially zoned land (a permitted use), and a special-exception application from a resident seeking to keep more than five chickens along with ducks and geese (an application that requires additional information). The department said another solar application has been under review and that future panels and decommissioning plans are subject to re-analysis every five years with rebonding if necessary.

Staff also announced it has made an offer to a new associate planner and expects the hire to join the department by the commission's next meeting in September.

Commissioners discussed the procedure for listing concept/preliminary/final site-plan items and staff noted the county code gives the planning director authority to list combined reviews but that the department typically defers that ability to the commission when applicants indicate they are seeking combined preliminary-and-final action. Legal counsel advised that commission members may review materials individually (one-on-one exchanges with staff) but must avoid group communications that could violate the Open Meetings Act.

The commission approved the annual report and asked staff to file it with the county commissioners.