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Carroll County amends Employment Campus zoning to allow phased site plans, limit heights near residences; ordinance adopted 3-1
Summary
The Board of Carroll County Commissioners voted 3-1 on Sept. 4 to adopt amendments to the Employment Campus zoning rules that replace a large, single development-plan requirement with site-plan review, add a 35-foot height limit where campuses border residential districts and make light manufacturing a permitted use.
The Carroll County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 4 adopted amendments to the county’s Employment Campus zoning rules, changing review procedures and some use and bulk standards. The measure passed 3 to 1 after discussion of public-notice concerns.
The amendments replace the previous requirement that developers submit a single development plan showing building location and shape for an entire campus with a process centered on site-plan review. County staff and the planning commission said site-plan review provides the same details but allows buildings to be proposed and reviewed in phases rather than requiring a single master plan at the outset.
The planning staff presentation, led by Chris Hine of the county’s planning staff, said the revision removes duplicate language on parking, landscaping and solar facilities that are covered elsewhere in the zoning code and adds a requirement that a developer submit a written or graphic explanation showing how the project meets the purpose and intent of the Employment Campus District.
The change also adds bulk requirements for employment campus properties that adjoin residential districts: while the district’s standard maximum height remains 60 feet, the new language caps maximum building height at 35 feet where an employment campus borders a residential zoning district. The planning commission also recommended making light manufacturing a permitted use rather than a conditional use.
Commissioner concerns focused on public notice and community understanding. Commissioner Gering said residents frequently learn of development only after stakes go in the ground and urged keeping opportunities for comment prominent; Commissioner Kyler and Commissioner Gordon argued the county had advertised amendments and that delaying approval could prolong uncertainty for potential projects. The board voted 3–1 to adopt the amendments.
The amendments affect property already zoned Employment Campus (the transcript identified two county-owned areas, including one off Clear Spring/Cleas Mill Road and another near the northern landfill) and would apply to any future areas zoned Employment Campus.
Ending: The county clerk will publish the adopted ordinance language and staff said they will receive inquiries as permitting requests arrive; commissioners signaled they may continue outreach to improve resident awareness of future development proposals.
