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City staff briefs planning commission on master‑plan update, ADU ordinance and forest‑conservation changes
Summary
Economic and Community Development director Jay Mishi told the commission to expect the city’s 10‑year master plan returned from the state in August, an accessory‑dwelling‑unit (ADU) ordinance drafted in July for September commission review, and a required update to the city’s forest‑conservation code following a recent state legislative change.
At the May 12 meeting, Jay Mishi, director of the Department of Economic and Community Development, briefed the Laurel Planning Commission on three major planning items that will come before the commission between now and September.
Mishi said the city expects to receive the draft 10‑year comprehensive (master) plan and the state’s comments in August so the commission can review the plan and recommend adoption to the city council at the commission’s September meeting. “We anticipate getting that back from the state sometime in the beginning of August,” Mishi said.
He also described a state requirement from 2025 that jurisdictions adopt ordinances allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and said ECD staff will draft an ordinance this month for commission review in July and discussion in September. Mishi cautioned that if the city requires off‑street parking for ADUs, the city would likely have to perform a citywide parking‑needs study.
Finally, Mishi said the General Assembly enacted the most significant update to the Forest Conservation Act in decades, which requires the city to update its forest‑conservation provisions in the ULDC; staff are working with the Department of Natural Resources but do not anticipate many plans arriving before the ordinance is adopted.
Mishi asked commissioners to send questions to staff so ECD can provide answers before the September review. No formal action was taken on these items at the May 12 meeting.
