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Taneytown committee plans targeted outreach to property owners over growth‑area status
Summary
Committee members agreed staff should begin targeted outreach to landowners within Taneytown's mapped growth area to confirm whether owners want properties retained for future development or removed for agricultural preservation, and to update future‑land‑use maps accordingly.
The Taneytown Comprehensive Plan Committee directed staff to begin targeted outreach to property owners in the town's mapped growth area to confirm whether owners want to remain in the growth area or pursue agricultural preservation.
Committee members discussed several properties whose owners have signaled interest in ag‑preservation and noted at least one parcel the city previously agreed to remove from the growth area. Committee members asked staff to reach out by mail or social media and to post information on the town website so owners understand options and deadlines.
The committee debated the long‑term effect of removing land from the growth area. Several members cautioned that agricultural preservation easements are typically permanent and that removing acreage from the growth area reduces the town's future development potential and may affect county planning targets. Staff responded that outreach is meant to document owner intent; the committee can change boundaries later and will make any removals explicit in the draft plan.
Staff also said the draft municipal growth element will be updated to reflect any confirmed owner requests and to show related overlays (ag‑preservation and rural legacy easements) on updated maps.
The committee did not adopt any ordinance at the meeting; members agreed to proceed with outreach and to return map updates at the next meeting.
Ending: Staff will prepare outreach materials and an updated growth‑area map for review at the committee's next meeting.
