Planning director files 2024 annual report; county issues, PFA and sewer planning highlighted

Tracy Taylor, Wicomico County planning director, presented the county’s 2024 annual report to the council during the Aug. 5 session, outlining development activity, priority funding area (PFA) status and next steps on the county’s comprehensive plan and water/sewer planning.

Taylor told the council the county issued 92 residential building permits in calendar year 2024 — more than double the prior year — which required filing the longer form of the state annual report. She said the department is updating the comprehensive water and sewer plan and is working with Public Works and outside consultants to identify neighborhoods with failing septic systems for potential future service. Taylor noted the county has a “comment area” designation from the Maryland Department of Planning on some PFA designations; the comment requires additional steps to qualify for state growth-related funding.

Taylor also reported that the planning department has nearly filled its vacant planner positions and is preparing text amendments related to accessory dwelling units and other housing measures in response to state legislative changes. She said the department will issue a request for proposals for a development capacity analysis as part of the comprehensive-plan update and will pursue recertification for the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) as part of broader zoning and preservation work.

Nut graf: The report shows a rise in residential permit activity, an active agenda on water/sewer planning and PFA adjustments, and work to update zoning and planning documents that the director said are intended to improve the county’s eligibility for state funding.

Ending: Taylor said the department expects to return with draft comprehensive-plan materials and zoning text amendments in coming months as part of ongoing planning work.