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Citizens urge deferral of Community Benefit Agreements; concerns about late addition and regulatory override
Summary
Multiple public commenters and local advocacy groups told the planning commission on Nov. 20 that community benefit agreement language was added late to the draft ordinance, raised concerns it could allow overrides of county rules, and asked the commission to defer action until agencies and the public have time to review.
Several public commenters urged the planning commission to defer any inclusion of Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs) in the zoning ordinance until after formal coordination, agency review and public discussion. Susan Dezurek, speaking for Keep Calvert Country, said the CBA article was introduced to the public only on Oct. 8 and that CBAs "could be abused" to override county regulations; she asked the commission to postpone action until the public better understands implications.
David Bury and Myra Gallant similarly asked for deferral. Gallant, speaking for Calvert Citizens United, cautioned that CBAs are not legally equivalent to Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) and emphasized that a CBA process requires clarity about who would serve on any authority overseeing CBAs and how transparency would be ensured. Staff noted the BOCC directed the amendments; the commission kept the record open to allow further input.
