Planning staff authorized to initiate zoning amendments to add civil penalties for code violations

The Caroline County Planning Commission on Jan. 23 authorized planning staff and the zoning administrator to initiate amendments to the county’s zoning ordinance (Chapter 124) and property maintenance code (Chapter 77) to add civil penalties as an additional enforcement tool.

Brad Robinson of the Planning Department told the commission that the county’s zoning ordinance currently contains criminal penalties and that staff has been discussing adding civil penalties since last summer. "The purpose of civil penalties is to deter violations by threat of monetary fine, while imposing an immediate penalty for violators that do not correct violations within a prescribed time," Robinson said. He said proposed changes would address property maintenance issues such as inoperable vehicles, junk and vegetation.

Robinson told commissioners a draft of the zoning ordinance amendments was not yet prepared and would be brought to a future meeting; the property-maintenance amendments (Chapter 77) are farther along because Chapter 77 changes require only Board of Supervisors approval. Commissioners emphasized the need for allowances for residents with disabilities or limited means and noted local volunteer groups and churches could help with compliance. The Planning Commission approved a motion authorizing staff to proceed; the motion was moved by Mr. Young, seconded by Mr. Williams, and passed by voice vote.