Council introduces zoning text amendment to ease release of reserved-land agreements for agricultural easements

Madam Secretary read into the record a proposed amendment to Chapter 190 (zoning, subdivision and land development) that would permit the County Council to partially or completely release a reserved lands agreement or reservation-of-development-rights agreement when the parcel is subject to an option contract with the State of Maryland agricultural land preservation foundation (as described in the introduction).

Attorney Zach Smith, speaking for local landowners Robert and Althea Doolan, explained the Doolans created a two‑acre lot for their daughter in 2017 and entered a reserved lands agreement as part of subdivision approvals. They later negotiated an option contract with the state’s agricultural preservation program and were told county and state staff that the state payment would be based on the property’s full acreage, including lands subject to the reserved‑lands agreement. After their offer was accepted the state informed them of a policy change that excluded reserved‑land acreage from payment; the proposed zoning text amendment is intended to allow the county to release the reserved‑lands agreement so landowners can be paid for the full acreage.

The amendment received unanimous support from the County Ag Preservation Board and the Planning Commission; Eastern Shore Land Conservancy spoke in favor at those hearings, according to the attorney. Councilors introduced the bill at the meeting and scheduled a public hearing for Tuesday, June 30 at 5:30 p.m. The bill was introduced by Council members Steph Callahan and Milky (as noted in the record) and will be docketed as Bill 1627.

Council members asked no substantive questions after the attorney’s presentation and agreed to move the item to public hearing.