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Board of Appeals to livestream hearings; staff posts packets online
Summary
Queen Anne's County Planning & Zoning announced new public-access procedures: meeting packets will be posted online a week before hearings and Board of Appeals hearings will be livestreamed on multiple platforms. Staff emphasized differences in public participation rules for this quasi‑judicial board.
Amy Mordock, director of planning and zoning for Queen Anne's County, told the Board of Appeals that staff has reorganized how hearing materials and notices are shared with the public and that hearings will now be broadcast live. "Your clerk, Cathy Maxwell, has been working with Vivian Swenson, the zoning administrator, with me and with all of staff to make sure that we get all of the meeting packet materials available to the public on the county's website," Mordock said. She said staff reports, area images and any site plans tied to public‑hearing items will be available on the county’s boards and commissions page and on the Agenda Center one week before hearings.
Mordock also announced that the Board of Appeals will be livestreamed for the first time, and that residents can watch on QAC TV’s website, the county Facebook page, YouTube and Breezeline cable. She asked staff to publish an announcement explaining how Board of Appeals hearings differ from other public meetings, noting that as a quasi‑judicial board the rules for public comment and testimony are different and that applicants are expected to appear in person to give testimony where the procedures require it. "We'll do our due diligence in making sure that we are providing this access to the public with your project materials and with viewing the hearings, but also making sure that the public can participate in the way that is outlined in your procedures," she said.
Clerk Cathy Maxwell and the county's QAC TV staff were noted as supporting the rollout; Mordock said staff will put out a public announcement and work to minimize technical problems.
The board did not take a formal vote on the announcement; staff indicated the changes are operational and intended to improve transparency and public access to record materials and live hearings.
