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Commission opens public hearing record on large‑format retail ZTA and keeps record open for 30 days
Summary
Planning staff presented ZTA 26‑190 to clarify that retail sales over 100,000 sq ft are permitted with conditions and to add the Acton Urban Center; public commenters urged withholding changes until the comprehensive‑plan update; the commission closed the hearing but voted to keep the record open for 30 days.
Charles County planners presented a zoning text amendment that would clarify county code for retail sales larger than 100,000 square feet and adjust parking requirements.
Tony Phelps, assistant chief of planning, said ZTA 26‑190 corrects an inconsistency between the zoning text and the use table by clarifying that retail sales over 100,000 square feet are permitted with conditions (rather than requiring a special exception). The amendment would also allow the use in the Acton Urban Center (AUC) zone and remove the requirement that such stores be in two‑story buildings. Phelps described a proposed 20 percent reduction in parking requirements for retail across zoning categories as consistent with a broader zoning-code rewrite and with sustainability and urban‑design goals.
Commissioners probed the amendment’s policy drivers, whether it was prompted by a specific development, and whether allowing big‑box formats in the AUC would undermine the district’s walkable, transit‑oriented redevelopment goals. Nancy Schurter, a former commissioner, argued the 2016 legislation intentionally required a two‑story option in MX and TOD zones and warned that adding the use to the AUC could be an “end run” around redevelopment objectives. Diontha Sweat told the commission the amendment would promote sprawl and large surface‑parking footprints that conflict with the Waldorf Urban Redevelopment District vision.
After receiving public testimony, the planning commission closed the hearing and then voted to leave the record open for 30 days to allow additional public input; staff set the extended comment deadline to June 4, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Commissioners indicated the item will return for a work session or recommendation later in the review process.
