Planning commission urges County Commissioners to remove term limits for Board of Zoning Appeals

On March 12 the Caroline County Planning Commission voted to recommend that the County Commissioners eliminate term limits for the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA), after a discussion that commissioners said highlighted recruitment and training challenges for quasi‑judicial boards.

Staff explained that the county currently limits service on the BZA to three consecutive three‑year terms and limits Planning Commission membership to two five‑year terms. Commissioners and staff said those limits mean experienced members may "term out" just as they become comfortable in their roles, complicating continuity for long projects such as comprehensive-plan updates and major rezoning reviews.

Commissioners cited recent difficulty finding volunteers willing to serve on BZA and the time required to train members for the quasi‑judicial responsibilities of that board. A staff member noted that the state Land Use Article establishes term lengths and that the county must craft local ordinance language consistent with state law where applicable. Commissioners discussed administrative steps to stagger appointments to avoid multiple vacancies in the same year and suggested the County Commissioners could address staggering when filling seats.

The commission made a formal motion to recommend removing term limits for the BZA; the motion carried by voice vote with no opposition recorded. Commissioners said they would include in their recommendation suggestions about staggering appointments and asked staff to forward the recommendation to the County Commissioners. Some commissioners also suggested the County Commissioners consider similar changes for the Planning Commission.