County planning staff briefed the Sykesville Planning Commission on a range of county-level planning actions that could affect local land use.

Staff said the Board of County Commissioners approved proposals to send a series of zoning deferrals to public hearing to allow time for code review. Deferral lengths discussed were: retirement villages and retirement homes — up to 6 months; cluster subdivisions — 6 months; planned commercial centers — 8 months; and self-storage — 3 months. The board voted Nov. 13 to send the deferrals to a public hearing; a hearing date had not been scheduled in the county calendar at the time of the commission meeting.

Staff also said the board forwarded a zoning-text amendment on off-premises signs to the Planning and Zoning Commission; it was introduced Oct. 1 and tentatively continued to Dec. 18 for further public discussion.

On energy policy, staff reported that changes reflecting state requirements now permit energy-storage systems of 5 megawatts or less as a permitted use in AG, Industrial 1 and Industrial 2 zoning districts.

Regarding the county master plan and the water resources element, staff said master-plan work group reports on housing, economy and agriculture were circulated to the Planning & Zoning Commission and that public feedback will be solicited through 2026. The county sent its water resources element to the state for review Nov. 12; the public review opened Nov. 15, a tentative public information meeting is scheduled for Jan. 14, and the 60-day review closes Jan. 15. Planning commissions tentatively scheduled a joint public hearing for Feb. 4; Sykesville may hold its own local hearing in Jan. or Feb. if preferred.

County staff said all livestreamed work sessions and materials are posted on the county’s YouTube channel and meeting portal for public review.