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Commission finds North Beach priority funding area certification consistent, clearing path for state septic funds
Summary
Planning staff presented a Priority Funding Area (PFA) certification request to address a failing septic system at 36 93rd Street; the commission voted that the proposed PFA is consistent with the Calvert County comprehensive plan, enabling the Department of Health to pursue Maryland Department of the Environment funds for sewer connection.
The Calvert County Planning Commission voted to find a proposed Priority Funding Area (PFA) certification for a North Beach area consistent with the county comprehensive plan, a step staff said is needed so the Maryland Department of the Environment can provide state funds to connect a property with a failing septic system to public sewer.
Kat Lockwood, Planner II for long‑range planning, said the Calvert County Department of Health had approached the Maryland Department of the Environment regarding a failing septic system "just outside of the North Beaches boundary at 36 93rd Street." Lockwood said the proposed PFA certification area (shown in staff maps) contains 506 units within approximately 135 acres and is designated a growth area on the 2017 growth‑tier map and is included in the 2010 and 2019 Calvert County comprehensive plans. She referenced Maryland Code, Finance and Procurement Article section 5‑7b‑03(d)(1) and Maryland Code, Land Use Article section 1‑304 as the statutory criteria governing PFA certification.
Commissioners pressed staff on why some small‑lot areas adjacent to the proposed PFA were excluded. Tay Harris, long‑range planner, said those cutouts are categorized as S3 and W3 in the county water and sewerage plan and therefore do not meet the S1/W1 categories required for PFA certification; only the areas shaded in purple on the map currently have access to water and sewer. Jason Brinkley, director of planning and zoning, noted that one of the excluded northern parcels appears marshy with no dwellings. Staff said changing the water and sewer category for the cutout areas would require the planning commission to initiate a 60‑day comment period, hold a public hearing and then forward any changes to the Board of County Commissioners, which would delay access to funds intended to address the immediate failing septic system.
Commissioner Freeland moved that the commission find the proposed PFA certification consistent with the Calvert County comprehensive plan; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. Staff said the finding would allow the Department of Health to pursue MDE funds to connect the affected property to public sewer; commissioners were not asked to approve construction funding at the meeting. Staff noted the process for category changes if other adjacent areas later seek inclusion.
