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County accepts $8,000 DNR critical‑area grant to reimburse staff time reviewing critical‑area permits
Summary
The Department of Land Use and Growth Management asked the board to accept an $8,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to reimburse county staff time spent on critical‑area reviews; commissioners discussed delays at the state Critical Area Commission.
The Department of Land Use and Growth Management requested that the commissioners accept an $8,000 fiscal‑year 2017 grant from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to offset staff time spent handling local critical‑area activities.
Zoning administrator Yvonne Chalet and director Phil Shire told the board the funds reimburse staff for plan review, building permit reviews and related public outreach tied to the county's critical area program. The motion to accept Project MD 1727 for $8,000 was moved and approved by voice vote.
During discussion, commissioners raised concerns about the Critical Area Commission in Annapolis, which takes final action on variances and certain permit reviews. Staff said that the commission sometimes takes months to respond on forwarded matters and that the county continues to follow up; a commissioner who serves on the Critical Area Commission said responsiveness is an issue being worked on.
Ending: The board authorized the commissioner president to execute the grant documents; DLU&G staff said the grant will be used to defray personnel costs tied to local critical‑area administration.
