Silver Spring committee forwards woodland buffer proposal to planning commission

The Silver Spring Township Conservation and Preservation Committee on Aug. 5 approved forwarding a revised Woodland Buffer proposal to the township planning commission and asked township and county staff to determine the next steps for an associated archaeological survey.

The motion to send the Woodland Buffer proposal to the planning commission — including comments from Stephanie — was approved by the committee after Clarence Bouchat presented the draft with minor changes and after committee members reviewed county feedback that “conditions should not be ordinance in form.” Committee members said they wanted the planning commission to review the proposal before it is incorporated into any land-development presentation.

Committee members also agreed to route the archaeological-survey materials to township Community Development staff and to Ray Palmer to determine whether staff should refer the matter to the county or to bring it back to this committee and then to the planning commission. The committee discussed the desire for inclusion of archaeological findings before presentation of land-development plans to the planning commission.

Clifford Jarrett, a committee member, noted that he had sent requested charter changes to the Board of Supervisors and said those changes were now under review by Solicitor Sean. Jarrett also reiterated that recording of the meeting by any attendee is permissible.

The committee set follow-up steps rather than approving ordinance language; members framed the action as a referral and review step to the planning commission and to relevant staff. The committee will reconvene and may take further action after staff and the planning commission provide feedback.

The committee adjourned at 7:09 p.m.