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Commissioners begin prioritizing action items from Envision Havre de Grace comprehensive plan
Summary
During a workshop the Planning Commission discussed near-term action items from the 2025 Envision Havre de Grace comprehensive plan and commissioners each named priority items including subdivision thresholds, stream-buffer protections, a zoning-code review, downtown business retention and waterfront initiatives.
At a workshop following the April 16 regular meeting, Havre de Grace Planning Commissioners reviewed and began prioritizing action items from the Envision Havre de Grace comprehensive plan (adopted May 2025).
Planner Diane Clare summarized the plan’s purpose, the graphic/online presentation format and supporting appendices. Commissioners then each identified one near-term priority. Suggestions included modifying the minor-subdivision definition (chair suggested raising the minor-subdivision threshold from two lots to five in contexts where infrastructure already exists), strengthening protections for sensitive areas and stream buffers (Janice Chan), commissioning a comprehensive zoning-code review (Harry Miller and others), and focusing on business retention/downtown economic activity and waterfront/marina stewardship (other commissioners).
During the public-comment period prior to the workshop, Carol Zimmerman of the Coalition for Sensible Development urged earlier, broader public involvement in major developments and cited the downtown revitalization and Hartford Memorial Hospital property engagement as successful models. She urged the city to engage residents early on gateway-area projects such as Route 155/Bulle Rock and the Evonik property.
Commissioners also discussed practical next steps: staff agreed to provide printed copies of the annual report and comprehensive-plan materials for commissioners, and the commission tabled the annual report action until the May meeting so members can review materials before voting. The workshop covered other items including waterfront strategies and long-term concepts for marina protection and access; commissioners raised the idea of an overlay district for waterfront areas to coordinate development, recreation and environmental stewardship.
