Public hearing held on zoning amendment to allow release of reserve‑land agreements for parcels under state agricultural option

The council opened a public hearing on bill 1627, a zoning text amendment intended to allow partial or complete release of a reserve land agreement or reservation of development rights where a parcel is under an option contract with the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation, subject to conditions.

Zach Smith, attorney for Robert and Althia Dulan, described the applicants’ situation: a 2017 family subdivision created a small lot gifted to a daughter, and the remainder of the farm later became the subject of a preservation option. Smith said a state policy change made reserve‑land parcels ineligible for payment under the preservation program, and that the Du­lans prepared their application relying on prior county and state advisories. "...they prepared their application and submitted their bid based on their entire acreage, which the county staff at the time... indicated that was correct and appropriate," Smith told the council. He said the amendment would allow the county to consider releasing a reserve‑land agreement in limited circumstances so landowners are not penalized by a change in state policy.

County staff said the change clarifies evaluation criteria and applies only to a narrow set of situations; the planning commission and preservation board previously reviewed and supported the amendment. The public hearing remained open and the council set the item eligible for vote on July 14.

No final action was taken at the meeting; staff will return with the ordinance on the stated schedule.