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Kent County approves three agricultural preservation districts; parcels to apply for MALPF easements
Summary
After a public hearing with no public testimony, the county commissioners approved three agricultural preservation district designations and will move the parcels forward for Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation easement applications.
The Kent County commissioners voted on May 19 to approve three proposed agricultural preservation districts following a staff presentation and a public hearing that produced no in‑person testimony.
Planning staff announced the parcels and owners to be considered: Duck Puddle Farming Enterprises LLC (Carol Clark/Massey Road), a parcel formerly known as the Margaret Herlock Smith Estate now owned by Robert and Amy Crow (Duck Puddle Road, Kennedyville), and a parcel owned by Jennifer Wright and Charles Keeley (Augustine Herman Highway). Associate Planner Holly Baldwin told the board the Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board recommended all three, that two parcels will adjoin already‑preserved easements, and that each owner has applied for the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) easement program at the staff level.
The hearing record included a notice published in the Kent County News on May 7. With no registered public speakers the board closed the hearing and, on motion, approved the designations for submittal to MALPF.
The action advances the parcels to the state easement process; the county staff reports in the agenda packet include parcel sizes and maps but the transcript does not record the acreage or application numbers for each parcel. Commissioners and staff emphasized adjacency to existing preserved lands as a factor in the recommendation.
Next steps: Staff will follow the normal MALPF application process and return to the board as required by county procedures.
