St. Mary's County adopts comprehensive zoning and subdivision ordinances after debate; vote 4-1

The Board of County Commissioners for St. Mary's County on Aug. 31 adopted a new comprehensive zoning ordinance, a revised subdivision ordinance and updated zoning maps to implement the county's recently adopted comprehensive plan. The ordinances are scheduled to take effect Sept. 14, 2010.

The action implements a package of changes that county staff said aims to preserve rural character while directing growth to designated centers. County planning staff described the ordinances as expanding farm-related uses, creating a transitional RLT zone between growth areas and the Rural Preservation District (RPD), adding rural subdivision design standards and strengthening standards for recreation, parking and lighting in growth centers.

"It gives us great pleasure to present to you, on behalf of the community, the comprehensive zoning ordinance and comprehensive subdivision ordinance and zoning map provisions for adoption," said Derek Berlage, Department of Land Use and Growth Management staff, summarizing the package and the staff work that preceded it.

Supporters said the ordinances make the county's zoning consistent with the April comprehensive plan and create tools to protect agricultural lands. Among the items highlighted by staff were expanded agritourism and equestrian uses, newly designated scenic corridor areas, design standards intended to preserve farmland and a new RLT transition zone intended to shield sensitive areas from intense development.

The board's debate focused on a small number of outstanding issues raised during the public comment period. Berlage told commissioners the county had received a petition of about 300 signatures seeking a 1,000-foot buffer around slaughterhouse sites and separate requests to restrict adult entertainment enterprises in the revitalization district. "Our recommendation would be that we not adopt it as part of this comprehensive ordinance, but that we look closely at those issues and, if it makes sense, do a separate zoning text amendment," Berlage said.

Commissioners also discussed changes to open-space set‑aside rules in growth areas. Several commissioners said the change from a 50 percent to a 30 percent open-space requirement — intended to encourage development inside growth centers and relieve pressure on rural areas — was imperfect but part of a broader compromise addressing workforce and affordable housing objectives.

Commissioner Madly moved adoption of the ordinances (identified in the record as Z-10-02 and S-10-1; subdivision ordinance Z-02-2 was cited in the motion). Commissioner Railey seconded. After discussion, the board voted; the verdict was 4 in favor, 1 opposed. "Any opposed? No. 1 nay. Motion carries. 4 to 1," the clerk recorded following the roll call.

County staff said several items the board did not include could be addressed by stand-alone zoning text amendments or as part of forthcoming, area-specific work such as the revision of the Lexington Park master plan.

The ordinances and maps adopt zoning changes county staff and the board say will both steer growth into designated centers and apply targeted protections to the Rural Preservation District. The board directed staff to begin any follow-up text‑amendment work requested by commissioners and to continue public outreach on outstanding issues.

The ordinances take effect Sept. 14, 2010, unless otherwise modified through the text-amendment process.