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Planning commission approves site plans, forwards variance and special-exception recommendations and backs updated flood plan
Summary
At its Sept. 4 meeting the Kent County Planning Commission approved final site plans for a contractor storage yard expansion, a yacht club pier replacement and an airplane hangar, recommended a reduced pier variance to the Board of Appeals, sent an unfavorable recommendation on a large backyard-animal special exception, and voted to recommend the updated nuisance flood plan to county commissioners.
The Kent County Planning Commission took a series of formal actions Sept. 4 on site plans, variances and recommendations to the Board of Appeals and county commissioners.
Gillespie FreeCast LLC / Morgan Creek Landing Holdings LLC (Application 22-53): The commission granted final site plan approval for an expansion of a contractor storage yard from roughly 4.75 acres to 12.08 acres, and for a new storage building and access onto Maryland Route 291. Staff recommended conditions including approval of erosion-and-sediment control and stormwater management plans, 15% landscaping and mitigation details, submission of required sureties and signage provisions. The motion to grant final approval passed unanimously (motion moved by speaker 3; second recorded).
Chester River Yacht & Country Club (Application 72536): The commission approved a waiver reducing required parking from 151 to 135 spaces (amended during deliberation to a 16-space reduction, conditioned on all designated parking being used for automobile parking only) and granted combined preliminary and final site plan approval for an expanded floating dock that will increase slips from 19 to 30. The motion to reduce parking and the site plan approval passed with majority votes recorded by roll call.
Charles B. Shotland (Quaker Neck Road pier variance): The commission recommended a favorable recommendation to the Board of Appeals for a variance reduced from the requested 250-foot pier to a 235-foot pier (a 92-foot variance vs. county code limits). Commissioners cited the applicant's evidence on reduced water depth and proximity to adjacent structures in making the recommendation; the motion passed by recorded vote.
Massey Aero LLC (Application 25-26): The commission granted final site plan approval for a 60'x100' airplane hangar at 33541 Maryland Line Road after staff noted outstanding agency signoffs were in process and sediment/stormwater issues were addressed. The motion passed on voice vote.
Dylan Bacheultz (special exception for raising small animals at 6111 Anderson Avenue): Staff recommended an unfavorable recommendation to the Board of Appeals because the requested flock exceeded backyard flock allowances (county rules permit up to five hens in the residential district). The commission voted to send an unfavorable recommendation to the Board of Appeals (majority vote; one commissioner opposed), while noting the applicant could pursue the Board of Appeals directly.
Nuisance flood plan update: Staff presented the county's updated nuisance flood plan, including a recommendation to increase freeboard from two feet to three feet and a new social-vulnerability assessment. The commission voted to send a favorable recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners for adoption by resolution.
Next steps: Items recommending actions to the Board of Appeals will be forwarded; applicants for projects that did not receive final county approval were told to return with required agency permits, draft maintenance and decommissioning agreements and additional documentation.
Votes at a glance: Galespie/Morgan Creek final site plan — approved; Chester River Yacht parking waiver (reduced by 16) and combined site plan — approved; Shotland pier variance recommendation (235-foot pier) — favorable recommendation to Board of Appeals; Massey Aero hangar final approval — approved; Bacheultz special-exception — unfavorable recommendation to Board of Appeals; nuisance flood plan — favorable recommendation to commissioners.
