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Planning commission recommends BOCC reduce 100-foot buffer to 35 feet for Marley Run parking and drainage work
Summary
Parks staff described severe slopes, rutting and failing drainage at Marley Run Recreation Area and asked to remove roughly 10,000 sq ft from a 100-foot environmental buffer to allow parking paving, stormwater work and ADA improvements; the commission voted to recommend the BOCC amend the buffer to 35 feet.
Amanda Stilwagen, Park & Safety Division Chief for Calvert County Parks and Recreation, led a work session on proposed amendments to the Marley Run Recreation Area resolution and a schematic site plan to improve parking, drainage and accessibility. Stilwagen told commissioners the park has three ball fields, a gravel parking lot, a restroom/concession building and maintenance sheds; she warned the site is "completely bound by topography. There isn't room to grow or add anything additional to Marley Run."
Stilwagen described severe erosion on a berm between the gravel lot and Cox Road, the location of maintenance sheds inside the existing 100-foot buffer, and a plan that would encroach about 10,000 square feet into that buffer to allow paving, curb and gutter, stormwater controls and improved ADA access. She told the commission schematic design and construction documents are on hold pending direction about whether the buffer amendment can proceed; staff reported "a little over $1,000,000" in existing project funding and said they are requesting "2.5 more in FY27" (transcript phrasing; units not specified in the record).
Legal/land-use counsel advised the commission that a recommendation to amend the buffer would go to the BOCC and that the BOCC must hold the required public hearing for an amendment. Commissioner (speaker 10) moved that the Planning Commission recommend eliminating the 100-foot buffer while maintaining the 35-foot setback; the motion was seconded and passed on a voice vote. If the BOCC approves the amendment, staff said engineering and site-plan work will resume and construction documentation will proceed.
