Havre de Grace planning commissioners debate new rules for hearings, public comment and evidence submission

Havre de Grace planning commissioners spent their Sept. 18 workshop reviewing and revising a proposed Rules of Procedure intended to govern commission meetings, public participation and evidentiary practice. Chair Ed Garono led the session and said the draft (dated Sept. 10, 2025) was prepared by the commission chair and reviewed by the city attorney before the meeting.

Commissioners focused on how the commission will handle public comment, submission of written materials, site visits, and the order of presentation at case application hearings. The group agreed to several procedural clarifications at the meeting but did not adopt the final draft; the chair said he would circulate a revised version and bring it back for a formal vote at a future meeting.

Why it matters: The rules set the commission’s operating procedures for quasi‑judicial land‑use hearings — shaping how evidence gets to the record, how applicants and staff present cases, and how neighbors and other citizens may participate. Commissioners framed most of the changes as internal housekeeping intended to ensure compliance with city code, Maryland law and fair‑process principles.

Most substantive outcomes and clarifications

- Public comment: Commissioners approved a 3‑minute speaking limit for members of the public at hearings, with the chair authorized to extend time if the content warrants. The chair told the commission the timer will be used to keep hearings efficient; extensions would be made ‘‘if the content warrants’’ and could also be requested by other commissioners.

- Presence required to speak; proxy limited to one other person: The draft would require citizens to be present at hearings to address the commission, with an exception allowing a citizen to appear on behalf of one other…