Planning commission forwards zoning map‑correction process and reestablishes R‑3 language, urges smaller side/rear setbacks

Caroline County long‑range planner Olivia Laudato presented a draft zoning text amendment Jan. 14 to create an administrative procedure allowing the planning director to correct minor technical or clerical errors in the county’s zoning maps when clear, objective evidence shows the map does not reflect lawfully adopted zoning.

Laudato said the procedure is narrow and intended only for corrections with notice given to owners of record; failure to receive notice would not itself invalidate a correction made in accordance with the process. The commission voted to forward the text amendment to the county commissioners with a positive recommendation.

At the same time commissioners considered reestablishing the R‑3 residential district and re‑inserting supplemental regulations for townhouses to correct a mapping error affecting a Dayspring development. Commissioners debated whether the R‑3 setbacks should be updated to match recent changes to R‑1 and R‑2; after discussion the commission voted to forward the text amendment package with an additional recommendation to reduce minimum side and rear yard setbacks in the R‑3 design table to 10 feet (to match R‑1/R‑2), while leaving townhouse supplemental regs in place.

Why it matters: The map‑correction procedure reduces administrative friction where digitized zoning maps do not match lawfully adopted records. Reestablishing R‑3 corrects a mapping error, restores the district language and permits certain attached housing types, while the setback recommendation asks county commissioners to consider alignment with other residential districts.

Next steps: The planning commission’s positive recommendation and recommended setback change will be transmitted to the county commissioners for legislative consideration.