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Commission hears BOCC‑directed plan amendments to cap town‑center density and end architecture review committees
Summary
Long‑range planner Tay Harris told the commission the Board of County Commissioners directed staff to eliminate architecture review committees for town centers and to limit density to no more than four units per acre; commissioners pressed staff on how the change affects Lusby and the timing of a zoning update.
The Planning Commission received a work session briefing Sept. 18 on proposed amendments to the Calvert County Comprehensive Plan and several town‑center master plans that would implement Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) directives.
"The BOCC directed PNC staff to allow a maximum of no more than 4 units per acre in town centers unless the current allowable density is less than 4 units per acre," long‑range planner Tay Harris told commissioners. Harris also said the BOCC directed the department to eliminate architecture review committees for the county's seven town centers and allow staff to handle architectural review administratively to streamline development review.
Commissioners asked how the change would affect Lusby, where the current allowable density is higher. Deputy director Jason Brinkley and director Mary Beth Cook clarified that current zoning allowances remain in effect until the zoning ordinance update is adopted — staff said the ordinance update is targeted for adoption potentially in December, and that parcels sold and subdivided before adoption may retain prior entitlement levels. "Today, that is correct ... It isn't until we adopt the updated zoning ordinance potentially in December," Cook said in response to questions about existing advertisements that reference nine units per acre.
Commissioners raised concerns about the practical effect of reducing density in some town centers and the role of public infrastructure (water, sewer) in enabling higher densities; staff said the proposed changes were intended to align comprehensive plans, town‑center master plans and the zoning ordinance.
