Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Administration And Procedure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board discusses text amendment to shorten order turnaround and critical‑area permit release timing
Summary
County staff told the Board of Appeals that an upcoming text amendment would reduce the ordinance allowance for preparing written orders from 60 to 30 days and align critical‑area permit release timing with the state commission's requirements, with a staff‑extendable exception for complex cases.
At the Nov. 6 meeting, county staff briefed the St. Mary's County Board of Appeals on a proposed text amendment affecting the timing for preparing and releasing written orders following board decisions.
Under current county practice the board has up to 60 days after a hearing to sign a written order; once signed a 30‑day appeal period runs during which applicants proceed “at their own risk” if they begin work. Staff said the new text amendment — prompted by changes from the Critical Area Commission — would reduce the 60‑day period to 30 days so that the combined administrative timeline is shorter. The staff presentation explained the amendment also would add a caveat allowing the board to extend that 30‑day period in complicated cases (for example, inclement weather, absence of the chairman, or other complicating circumstances).
Staff said the Critical Area Commission’s new rule requires the county to delay issuance of building permits tied to critical‑area variances until the 30‑day appeal period has elapsed. Previously the county often released building permits after the board signed the order but before the 30‑day appeal period ended. The proposed change in the county ordinance therefore shortens the time between hearing and permit availability while ensuring the county does not issue critical‑area permits during the state commission’s appeal window.
Board members asked whether they would have to change internal procedures; staff replied that board procedures need not change but that staff will track deadlines more closely. The board did not take a formal vote on the text amendment at the hearing; staff described the amendment and asked for the board’s awareness of the change in process.
If adopted, the amendment will generally shorten the administrative timeline for applicants while ensuring compliance with the Critical Area Commission’s direction not to release permits during the 30‑day appeal period; the ordinance language would retain a limited ability for the board to extend the writing period in specified circumstances.
