Carroll commissioners pause residential above planned commercial centers, send changes to Planning Commission

The Board of Carroll County Commissioners voted Feb. 5 to ask the Planning Commission to consider removing language that permits residential units above planned commercial centers until the county defines what it wants from mixed‑use development.

Planning staff told the board that the county’s current code — written into subdivision regulations in 2007 and carried forward in later updates — allows second‑story residential units of roughly 600 to 1,000 square feet on planned commercial centers, and permits modest additional parking. Staff said the code contains few building‑design or site‑layout standards for mixed use, and that two early projects approved under the existing rules have not met community expectations.

Commissioners split over the tradeoffs. Some members argued that mixed‑use projects with residential over retail can provide affordable, walkable housing for younger residents and are seen positively in other jurisdictions. Others said the current lack of design guidance and site standards has produced projects that do not fit neighborhood character and that it is prudent to pause new approvals until the master‑plan review can offer clearer direction.

The board approved a motion directing staff to send a request to the Planning Commission to consider removing residential as an accessory use in planned commercial centers and to return with recommendations. Staff said the change would allow the county time to develop clear design guidelines and to have the contract consultant examine mixed‑use options as part of the zoning‑code review already underway.

Next steps: the Planning Commission will review the requested change and bring back a recommendation; if it recommends code amendments, the county would schedule public hearings before any final legislative action by the board.