Residents urge action on assisted-living shortage; commissioners point to zoning and market constraints

During the public question-and-answer portion of the meeting a resident described challenges placing older residents in affordable assisted-living or memory-care facilities within Carroll County, saying many families must send relatives to Baltimore City for cost reasons.

The resident said middle-income people who want to stay in Carroll County "end up having to go to Baltimore City," which separates them from local family and support networks. She urged commissioners to consider ways to attract smaller assisted-living operations or increase local capacity.

Commissioner Mike Caron responded that county zoning — particularly in agricultural areas — already offers flexibility for approved and conditional uses that could accommodate assisted-living facilities. "The means is actually there in terms of a lot of the assisted living opportunities," he said, and pledged to examine the local industry and explore facilitation steps.

Other commissioners acknowledged the demand and described the county as an attractive location for providers but cautioned that market economics and existing provider capacity limit rapid expansion. Commissioners committed to keeping the issue "on our radar" and to staff follow-up to identify targeted options to encourage more local assisted-living capacity.

Ending

Officials said zoning provides pathways for new assisted-living facilities but emphasized the need for further staff review and potential targeted incentives; they asked residents and interested parties to raise ideas with the county.