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Planning Commission backs text change to match state forest conservation law
Summary
Planning staff told the commission TA 26‑01 updates Calvert County's zoning to reflect SB 526, replacing the prior variable reforestation ratios with a simpler one‑for‑one standard and adding local credits for monument trees; the commission voted to recommend adoption to the Board of County Commissioners.
The Calvert County Planning Commission voted June 17 to recommend that the Board of County Commissioners adopt TA 26‑01, a package of edits to bring county forest-conservation requirements in line with the state's SB 526 reforestation rules that take effect July 1, 2026. Planner Will Hager said the most significant change is a 1:1 reforestation ratio for most clearing, with narrower exceptions for some priority areas and large multifamily projects.
"The forest conservation requirements essentially are trees that are required to be planted, preserved, or some combination of both for development projects on lots or parcels 40,000 square feet or greater," Hager said, and staff told commissioners the new ratio will simplify the standard but increase the amount of reforestation required for many projects. Hager added the county is proposing local incentives such as crediting retained monument trees and allowing planted green infrastructure in town centers to satisfy some mitigation requirements.
The commission closed the public record on the item and approved a motion recommending adoption to the BOCC. No members of the public had signed up to speak during the TA 26‑01 presentation. The recommendation will be transmitted to the Board of County Commissioners for final action; staff said additional implementation details will follow as the county updates forms and checklists.
Speakers quoted or referenced in this article: Will Hager (Planner 3).
