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La Plata Planning Commission recommends APFO roads amendment to Town Council
Summary
After a public hearing, the Planning Commission voted to forward ZTA 02/20/26 — amendments to the town dequate public facilities ordinance for roads — to the Town Council, endorsing a requirement for an annual street‑map update and a companion implementation manual to guide traffic impact studies and intergovernmental coordination.
The La Plata Planning Commission voted to recommend that the Town Council approve Zoning Text Amendment 02/20/26, a draft amendment to the town dequate public facilities ordinance (APFO) addressing roads.
Director Dooley told the commission the draft adds a requirement that the town nnually update its official street map and clarifies references to proposed versus existing development. Staff also added provisions to facilitate coordination with Charles County and the State Highway Administration (SHA) and to require a traffic impact study (TIS) implementation manual setting procedural standards.
"The manual will provide clarification and establish a common understanding of what is expected out of the TIS submissions," Mr. Carr, the town—onsultant on the APFO draft, said, adding it will include review timeframes, who pays for studies, scoping templates and recommended software.
Commissioners pressed staff on whether the manual is strictly administrative or rises to the level of policy that should be reviewed by the Town Council. Director Dooley said the ordinance is the policy driver and the manual is a companion administrative document that staff expects to update on an as‑needed basis; significant items could be brought back to the Commission or Council if they appear to belong in code.
Staff reported three written comments on the draft: a supportive note from Kai (spelled "Kai" or "Kay" in the record) Win, a request from Renata Rhodes that level‑of‑service C standards be maintained, and technical suggestions from Griffin Benton, vice president of government affairs at the Maryland Building Industry Association. Dooley and Mr. Carr said many of the MBIA comments could be handled through the implementation manual, while some items might be unnecessary or better addressed administratively.
Commissioners also discussed technical standards: the draft references the Highway Capacity Manual rather than mandating proprietary simulation software, and the implementation manual will recommend acceptable tools and versions to avoid locking the town into a specific proprietary product.
A motion to adopt the Planning Commission resolution recommending Town Council approval of ZTA 02/20/26 passed; commissioners recorded in the discussion pledged to forward the Commission ction to Council for next steps.
The Planning Commission ction is advisory; the Town Council will receive the Commission—ndorsement and consider the ordinance language and any further adjustments at a future meeting.
