Zoning board dismisses appeals on Mill Cove Manor and Mill Cove Harbor water‑sewer amendments, directs cases back to Planning Commission

The St. Mary's County Zoning Board of Appeals voted on Aug. 27 to dismiss appeals filed by the applicants seeking review of Planning Commission action on proposed amendments to the county Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan (CWSP) for two properties, Mill Cove Manor (Zoning application 200003) and Mill Cove Harbor (Zoning application 200004), and asked staff to return both matters to the Planning Commission for further processing.

The board’s dismissal followed oral argument from the county’s deputy attorney and counsel for the applicants on whether the Board of Appeals had jurisdiction to hear appeals that challenge the Planning Commission’s recommendation on CWSP amendments. “The motion to deny did not pass, and no other motion was made,” Deputy County Attorney David Weyskopf told the board, arguing there was no final decision from the Planning Commission for the Board of Appeals to review.

The applicants’ attorney, John Norris, countered that the Planning Commission’s action was a final, appealable determination. Norris said the projects had been mapped for future service in…