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Planning commission moves forward on critical-area amendments tied to state conditions
Summary
The commission recommended adoption of TA 25-13, which incorporates Critical Area Commission-required language including a 10-year review interval, conditional allowances for pervious pavement, updated habitat maps, and clarifications on density and ADUs — passing the package 6–1.
TA 25-13 packages a set of critical-area revisions requested by the Maryland Critical Area Commission. Staff said the changes were a condition of the state approving Calvert County’s local critical-area program and included shifting the map-review interval from six years to ten, specifying that approved permeable pavers can allow up to 500 additional square feet of lot coverage under defined conditions, incorporating DNR Wildlife & Heritage mapping for habitat protection areas, and clarifying that accessory dwelling units do not generally count toward permitted parcel density.
County environmental planner Ron Marney and staff answered commissioners’ questions about the new "equitable distribution of burdens and benefits" language required by state legislation and acknowledged limited state guidance so far. Commissioners asked whether the ten-year review is adequate in the face of sea-level rise; staff said the ten-year interval is the minimum required by the state and that the county can act more frequently if conditions demand.
After discussion the commission voted (6–1) to find TA 25-13 consistent with the comprehensive plan and to recommend adoption to the Board of County Commissioners. One commissioner recorded a dissenting vote.
