[00:03:32]
>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO OUR JANUARY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING.
WE'LL GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED.
SINCE THIS IS A 100% AUDIO MEETING, I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE EVERYBODY THAT'S IN ATTENDANCE.
WE HAVE PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS TRAVIS BREEDING, JEFF JACKSON, AND ROGER MCKNIGHT, AND MYSELF, HANNAH COLEY, CHAIRPERSON.
FROM THE COUNTY, STUART BARREL, CRYSTAL DADS, LESLIE GRUNDON, AND KATHLEEN COLLEEN RIGHT.
[LAUGHTER] WE'LL GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED WITH THE ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
[1. Election of Officers]
IT IS THE TIME OF YEAR TO CHOOSE THE CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON.AS CHAIRPERSON, I WOULD LIKE TO STEP DOWN.
HAPPY TO DO VICE CHAIR, BUT I'LL OPEN THAT UP FOR DISCUSSION.
>> BECAUSE THERE IS A DISCUSSION, SOMEBODY HAS TO MAKE A NOMINATION.
>> YEAH. SOMEBODY'S GOT TO NOMINATE SOMEBODY.
>> WELL, AS THE LONGEST SERVING COMMISSION MEMBER, I'LL NOMINATE JEFF JACKSON.
>> UNLESS SOMEBODY ELSE WANTS TO DO IT.
>> I GUESS TECHNICALLY I CAN SECOND, RIGHT?
[00:05:03]
>> OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND TO DECLARE JEFF JACKSON AS CHAIRPERSON.
ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND SAY AYE.
>> ALL OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIED.
>> VICE CHAIR, BECAUSE YOU SAID YOU WOULD STILL BE PART, I WOULD NOMINATE YOU, HANNAH COLEY.
>> OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION IN SECOND TO NOMINATE MYSELF AS VICE CHAIR.
ALL IN FAVOR RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND SAY AYE.
>> MOTION IS CARRIED. ON TO OUR NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS THE 2024 ROLE LEGACY AREA OF PRIORITIZATION.
[2. 2024 Rural Legacy Area Prioritization]
WE HAVE BETH FIELDS TO PRESENT.>> YOU GOT TO GO THROUGH TEAMS. YOU GOT TEAMS ON THAT COMPUTER?
>> OH, I GOT IT. I'M WORKING ON IT.
>> SHE HAD TO SEND ME ANOTHER LINK.
>> WHEN YOU CLICK ON, THERE'S TWO PEOPLE OVER HERE?
MINIMIZE THIS WINDOW AND GO DOWN HERE, AND TEAMS.
>> I DON'T HAVE TOUCH SCREEN. I'M ONLY A COMMISSIONER.
[LAUGHTER] EVERYBODY GOT TOUCHSCREEN EXCEPT FOR ME.
IF YOU CAN MOVE THAT DOWN, I'M NOT GOOD WITH THOSE.
>> MICROSOFT TEAMS. I LIKE THAT.
>> AND THEN THE LEAD TO THE LEFT, YOU'LL HAVE PLANNING COMMISSION GENERAL, CLICK ON "FILES".
AND THEN JANUARY PACKAGE WILL BE NEAR THERE.
>> BECAUSE I'M READING THE LINCOLN EMAILS NETWORK.
>> RIVETING INTERNET RECORDING HERE.
>> SO EASTERN SHORE LAND MANAGES THE STATE'S RURAL LEGACY AREAS IN CAROLINE COUNTY.
THE PROGRAM HAS RECEIVED OVER 7.1 MILLION FUNDING FOR THIS YEAR AND FOR CONSERVATION EASEMENTS.
OVER THE PAST YEAR, RURAL LEGACY HAS COMPLETED MULTIPLE PROJECTS IN CAROLINE COUNTY.
THEY ALSO HAVE A COUPLE OF ONGOING PROJECTS FROM THE PAST FUNDING.
THE EASTERN SHORE HARTLAND PLACE AREA HAS BEEN DOING VERY WELL WITH INTERESTED LANDOWNERS.
THERE'S ABOUT 20 PEOPLE ON THAT LIST.
[INAUDIBLE] AREA ONLY HAS FIVE INTERESTED LANDOWNERS.
THE PROGRAM REQUIRES THAT THE COUNTY ANNUALLY SUBMITS A LETTER DESIGNATION OF PRIORITY FOR RLA FUNDING.
THE STAFF IS RECOMMENDING DESIGNATING LEGACY AS A PRIORITY TO SUPPORT AND ENHANCE THE SUBSTANTIAL EXISTING AG PRESERVATION EFFORTS IN THE AREA.
I'M JUST ASKING YOU DISCUSSION AND A LETTER OF APPROVAL FOR PRIORITY OF THE LEGACY AREA.
>> DO THEY RECEIVE MONEY EVERY CYCLE OR EVERY YEAR?
>> IT'S NOT LIKE EVERY OTHER YEAR?
>> AND DO THEY USUALLY USE IT ALL?
>> HOW MANY APPLICANTS OR INTERESTED PEOPLE DID YOU SAY WE HAD IN THE HEARTLAND RURAL LEGACY AREA?
>> WE HAVE ABOUT 20 ON THAT LIST, OR DAVISVILLE HAS ABOUT 20.
WHEN THE APPLICANTS COME AND PLOT FROM OUT, I SEE IF THEY'RE IN ONE OF THOSE AREAS AND I CALL THEIR NAMES ON TO DAVID AS WELL, ESPECIALLY IN THE HEARTLAND BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE A LOT, THEY ONLY HAVE FIVE.
[00:10:01]
>> DO YOU THINK THESE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT, THEY JUST THINK IT'S LAND PRESERVATION, THAT'S IT?
>> YEAH, I KNOW THAT GETS A LOT OF?
I LOOK AND SEE IF THEY ARE ON THAT.
IS IT A DIFFERENT APPLICATION PROCESS.
>> AND THE EASTERN CHORE LAB CONSERVANCY IS PRETTY GOOD ABOUT PROMOTING THEIR PROGRAMS, AND THEY'VE BEEN PROMOTING THIS FOR YEARS AND YEARS.
I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S A LESS RECEPTIVE GROUP, BUT IT HAS LAGGED BEHIND THE HEARTLAND.
>> ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION? SO WE NEED A MOTION.
>> I GUESS I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE PRIORITIZATION LETTER THAT HAS TUCKAHOE RURAL LEGACY AREA NUMBER 1 AND HEARTLAND RURAL LEGACY AREA NUMBER 2, AND APPROVAL TO SEND THE DRAFT LETTER.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND, TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A LETTER OF SUPPORT.
ALL IN FAVOR RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND SAY AYE.
>> ALL OPPOSE. MOTION CARRIES.
[NOISE] ON TO THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA, WHICH IS THE CLEARINGHOUSE REVIEW FOR THE FEDERALSBURG PUMPING STATION REPLACEMENT.
[3. Clearinghouse Project Review:]
>> PUMP STATION REPLACEMENT UPGRADE, BUT IT'S REALLY REPLACEMENT.
THIS IS A CLEARINGHOUSE REVIEW PROJECT, AND THE COUNTY IS ONE OF THE AGENCIES BEING ASKED TO PROVIDE INPUT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S CONSISTENT WITH OUR PROGRAMS AND PLANS AND POLICIES.
THE TOWN HAS BEEN AWARDED $700,000 FROM THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM THROUGH MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOR ENGINEERING AND DESIGN FOR THE UPGRADES OF TWO OF THEIR PUMPING STATIONS, WASTE WATER PUMPING STATIONS.
IN YOUR INFORMATION, THERE'S A MAP THAT SHOWS THE LOCATIONS OF THEM,
[4. Marina Park and East Central Avenue Pumping Station Replacement and Coastal Sustainability Upgrade, Town of Federalsburg]
AN AERIAL PHOTO THAT SHOWS THE LOCATIONS OF THEM, AND THEN A PHOTOGRAPH OF EACH OF THE PUMP STATIONS.AND THEN ALSO THE FLOODPLAIN MAP TO SHOW WHERE THEY ARE LOCATED WITHIN THE 100 YEAR FLOODPLAIN.
YOU CAN JUST TAKE ONE LOOK AT THEM AND SEE HOW URGENTLY THEY NEED TO BE UPGRADED AND PROTECTED FROM HIGH WATER.
THIS HAS BEEN A PRIORITY FOR THEM, BUT LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, THE FUNDING HASN'T REALLY BEEN AVAILABLE UNTIL THE LATEST INFRASTRUCTURE PUSH.
THEY APPLIED THROUGH MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTS ANNUAL CLEAN WATER STATE REVOLVING LOAN FUND FOR LOANS AND LOAN FORGIVENESS AND WERE AWARDED CONSTRUCTION FUNDING [NOISE] EXCUSE ME.
THEN THEY APPLIED TO CDBG FOR THEIR ENGINEERING AND DESIGN FUNDING.
IT'S A PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD PROJECT THEY NEED TO UPGRADE THE EQUIPMENT WITHIN IT, AND THEN ELEVATE BOTH PUMP STATIONS TO GET THEM ABOVE THE FLOOD PLAIN.
THEN THEY ALSO HAVE TO MEET THE STATE'S NEW CLIMATE READY ACTION BOUNDARY, WHICH IS 100 YEAR FLOODPLAIN PLUS THREE FEET TO ACCOUNT FOR ANY CHANGES IN SEA LEVEL RISE THERE AT THE MARSHYHOPE.
THEY'VE GOT TO MEET THOSE STANDARDS AND SOME ADDITIONAL STANDARDS THAT ARE FAIRLY RECENT.
THE ENGINEERING IS, I'M SURE, AN EXTENSIVE UNDERTAKING.
THE THIRD PUMP STATION IS LOCATED CLOSER TO THE PLANT AND NOT IN THE FLOODPLAIN.
IT'S THESE TWO. I THINK THEY'VE HAD REPEATED OVERFLOWS.
THE MOST RECENT ONE WAS A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO.
THERE'S NOT A WHOLE LOT OF ABSORBING OF NUTRIENTS GOING ON WHEN THAT HAPPENS, IT'S OBVIOUSLY NECESSARY BOTH IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUE AND ALSO IN ACCOUNTING FOR INCREASED RAINFALL AND HIGHER SEA LEVEL.
I'M INTERESTED IN [NOISE] HOW THEY DID IN THIS LAST STORM.
[00:15:05]
WE ARE ONE OF THE AGENCIES BEING ASKED TO REVIEW IT.I THINK MDE AND MDP AND DNR ARE ALSO REVIEWING IT AS WELL.
BUT MY RECOMMENDATION IS THAT BECAUSE IT'S CONSISTENT WITH OUR WATER AND SEWER PLAN GOALS, INFRASTRUCTURE PREPAREDNESS, IT HITS ALL OF THE GOALS THAT WE WOULD HAVE FOR OUR OWN INFRASTRUCTURE.
SO I'M RECOMMENDING A C1 APPROVAL CODE.
>> WE CAN'T GO ANY HIGHER THAN THAT?
>> REALLY PUT IT AT THE TOP OF THE LIST.
>> ANYBODY HAVING THAT? I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE CODE C1, CONSISTENT WITH THE COUNTY PLANS AND PROGRAMS, AND OBJECTIVES FOR THIS CLEARINGHOUSE RECOMMENDATION.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND TO APPROVE THE C1 FOR THE FEDERALSBURG PROJECT.
ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND SAY AYE.
>> ALL OPPOSE? MOTION CARRIES.
>> THANK YOU. ON TO THE NEXT ITEM, WHICH IS THE ANNEXATION IN FEDERALSBURG AGAIN.
[5. Federalsburg Annexation Request]
>> THIS WE RECEIVED LATE LAST WEEK.
THE TOWN IS PROPOSING TO ANNEX A PROPERTY LOCATED.
KATHERINE, WERE YOU ABLE TO UPLOAD THAT AERIAL MAP.
>>-TO THE NEW PACKAGE? I REALIZED THIS MORNING THAT I HADN'T INCLUDED IN THE AERIAL TO SAY THIS IS WHERE IT IS TO GIVE YOU THE PICTURE OF THE LOCATION.
YOU PROBABLY ALL KNOW. [OVERLAPPING].
>> THERE IT IS. IT IS BORDERED UP THE NORTH BY THE TOWN MUNICIPAL BOUNDARY AND TO THE SOUTH BY THE DORCHESTER, CAROLINE COUNTY BOUNDARY.
>> I ACTUALLY THOUGHT IT WAS ALREADY ANNEXED.
>>NO, FEDERALSBURG ALWAYS HAD THAT LITTLE PIECE OF ROAD THIS LOW CORNER THERE, WOODS AND ALL WAS OUT.
>> THAT IS THE PROPOSED PROPERTY.
IT'S ENTIRELY WOODED, HAS NOT BEEN DEVELOPED AS PART OF THE ANNEXATION PROCESS.
ONE THE COUNTY REVIEWS ANNEXATIONS, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE COUNTY HAS TO DECLARE IS WHETHER OR NOT THE TOWN CAN CHANGE THE ZONING, THE EXISTING ZONING ON THAT PROPERTY.
THE COUNTY HAS A RIGHT TO WAIVE THAT REQUIREMENT THAT THE ZONING NOT BE CHANGED.
THE STATE SAYS IT SHOULD REMAIN THE SAME ZONING FOR FIVE YEARS AFTER THE ANNEXATION, UNLESS THE COUNTY ELECTS TO WAIVE THAT REQUIREMENT AND LET THEM REZONE IT HOW THEY WANT TO REZONE IT WITHIN THE TOWN.
THAT'S WHY THIS COMES BEFORE THE PLANNING COMMISSION, AND THEN WE'LL GO TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
ESSENTIALLY, WHAT I'M ASKING IS A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO WAIVE THAT ZONING REQUIREMENT.
I TALKED TO THE TOWN MANAGER, TAMMY, AND COUNTY OR TOWN ATTORNEY LYNDSEY RYAN.
THEY'VE RECEIVED NO PUSHBACK ON THIS.
THERE'S A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR IT.
APPARENTLY, THE POTENTIAL BUYER IS PROPOSING TO PUT IN A SHELL BUILDING AND THEN DO A BUILD-TO-SUIT.
THEY WANT IT TO BE GENERAL COMMERCIAL, NOT INTENSE USE.
THEIR GOAL IS TO HAVE A STEP DOWN FROM THE INDUSTRIAL TOWARDS LESS DEVELOPED, MORE RESIDENTIAL, AND HAVE THAT COMMERCIAL AS IN BETWEEN TRANSITION FROM THE INDUSTRIAL AREA TOWARDS WHERE THE RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS ARE.
THEY'RE LOOKING AT IT AS AN EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY, COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITY.
IT'S IN AN AREA THAT SUITS THAT.
THEY HAVE SUPPORT OR NO OPPOSITION FROM CITIZENS IN THE TOWN.
THEIR PUBLIC HEARING IS THE 20TH.
THAT'S WHY WE MOVED TO PUT IT ON THIS AGENDA BECAUSE NOW IT STILL NEEDS TO GO BEFORE THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
>> IN YOUR PACKAGE IS A DRAFT MEMO THAT WOULD ESSENTIALLY COME FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, RECOMMENDING THAT THE RESOLUTION TO WAIVE THAT ZONING RESTRICTION BE ADOPTED.
[00:20:08]
AND THE DRAFT RESOLUTION IS IN THERE AS WELL.>> BASICALLY, DOING AWAY WITH THE FIVE-YEAR RULE?
>> YES, AND ALLOWING THEM TO RE-ZONE IT AS, I THINK THEY'RE LOOKING AT GENERAL COMMERCIAL.
>> IT'S CURRENTLY ZONED AS WHAT?
>> THE FEDERALSBURG COMP PLAN HAS THEIR PROPOSED GROWTH AND ANNEXATION AREAS AND I THINK THIS IS IN AREA 4, WHICH SHOWS THAT IT'S SUITABLE FOR MULTIPLE DIFFERENT USES, FROM RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL.
JUST GOING THROUGH THEIR COMP PLAN, THIS SUPPORTS WHAT THEY SAID IN THEIR GOALS FOR ANNEXATION AND GROWTH FOR THAT PARTICULAR PART OF THE OUTSIDE OF TOWN.
>> I THINK IT FITS. I DON'T HAVE ANY OPPOSITION TO IT.
>> THERE WOULD NEVER BE AN ISSUE OF BOXING IN THAT LITTLE BIT OF LAND THAT'S STILL GOING TO BE COUNTY VERSUS TOWN?
>> IF YOU LOOK AT MAP, ONCE YOU ANNEX THIS, AND YOU BOX THE GROUND IN BEHIND IT SOMEWHAT.
IS THAT EVER GOING TO BE AN ISSUE?
>> [OVERLAPPING] IT HASN'T BEEN AND I DON'T KNOW DOWN THE ROAD IF THAT WOULD BE AN EVENTUALITY. [OVERLAPPING]
>> IS THAT A TOWN ROAD THAT THOSE PARCELS COME OFF OF?
>> [OVERLAPPING] NORTHERN CREEK IS A PRIVATE ROAD. NORTHERN CREEK ROAD'S PRIVATE.
>> NORTHERN CREEK. JUST PART OF THAT'S A TOWN BOUNDARY.
>> SO THE RED IS THE TOWN, CORRECT?
>> THE ACCESS TO THAT, WHEN THEY COME UP, WHATEVER THEY DO TO IT WOULD COME OFF WHAT ROAD?
>> WOULD COME OFF THE STATE ROAD 313.
>> THAT'S RELIANCE ROAD, YEAH. THE OTHER ONE.
>> YOU SEE WHAT I'M SAYING? THERE WOULD NEVER BE AN ISSUE OF A ROAD GOING BACK TO THOSE PROPERTIES.
>> [OVERLAPPING] WELL, I GUESS IT MUST BE SOME TYPE OF RIGHT OF WAY OR EASEMENT THAT THOSE FOUR PARCELS ARE ACCESSED FROM.
>> WELL, THAT MOWBRAY CREEK GOES ALL THE WAY BACK.
>> YEAH, THAT'S THEIR ACCESS. [OVERLAPPING]
>> IT DEAD-ENDS BACK TO A BIG HOUSE BACK THERE.
>> THOSE ARE ALL HOUSES ON THE LEFT SIDE.
>> [OVERLAPPING] YOU WOULDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH THE RESIDENTIAL?
>> [OVERLAPPING] SAY, IF TRUCKS WERE COMING IN, THEY WOULDN'T HAVE ANY.
>> YEAH, THEY'RE NOT USING THAT, AND THAT'S WHY I CALLED [OVERLAPPING] TO FIND OUT IF ANY OF THOSE RESIDENTS WERE OPPOSED TO IT AND SHE SAID NO.
>> THAT ONE BUILDING, YOU CAN BARELY SAY.
THAT SHOULD BE THE CHURCH ON THAT FIRST PIECE OF PROPERTY.
>> THE BIG PARCEL ON THE CORNER.
>> JUST TO THE NORTH IN TOWN, YEAH.
SO I WAS LOOKING LIKE YOU AND I WAS LOOKING AT THAT AT FIRST AND IT'S LIKE, JUST ALL THE PROPERTY BECAUSE THE ONLY WAY TO GET TO THEM IS THROUGH THE RIVER OR THROUGH THE TOWN LIMITS, WHICH IS THE FIRST PART OF MOWBRAY CREEK ROAD.
>> IT'S NOT AFFECTING ACCESS TO THOSE [OVERLAPPING].
>> WHEN I CALLED THE TOWN, IT WAS TO ASK SPECIFICALLY IF THERE WAS ANY OPPOSITION FROM THE RESIDENTIAL PARCELS NEARBY, AND SHE SAID NONE.
>> BECAUSE THAT'S THE OTHER OUT ON RELIANCE ROAD, THERE'S THE HOUSES THAT ARE INDOORS, RESTOR COUNTY BECAUSE THEY BOUGHT UP AGAINST THAT PROPERTY.
>> WOULD THE TOWN HAVE NOTIFIED ANY?
>> [OVERLAPPING] THEY'VE ADVERTISED THEIR PUBLIC HEARING TOO, YEAH.
>> WELL, THEY'RE NOT GETTING NO PUSH-BACK.
I WANT TO STILL GET ACCESS OFF THAT STATE ROAD. [LAUGHTER]
>> I'D LIKE TO SEE SOMETHING THERE.
>> [OVERLAPPING] IT'S GOING TO BRING SOME REVENUE AND EMPLOYMENT.
>> THAT WHOLE PARCEL'S IN THE CRITICAL AREA AS WELL.
>> YOU SAID COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL BECAUSE IT'D BE ONE OF THOSE, YOU HAVE BUSINESSES ON THE FIRST FLOOR AND APARTMENTS ON THE SECOND FLOOR TYPE THING.
>> LIKE A MIXED USE? NO, I THINK IT'S COMMERCIAL, COMMERCIAL.
>>IS THAT IN THE CRITICAL AREA?
>> NO, I THOUGHT WE LOOKED AT THAT.
>> NO, IT IS NOT IN THE CRITICAL AREA.
I THINK IT'S JUST OUT. IT'S NOT.
>> IF THOSE OTHER PARCELS ARE IN THE CRITICAL AREA,
[00:25:01]
IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO DEVELOP THERE ANYWAY ANY FURTHER.>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE SUBMIT TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION AND DRAFT A RESOLUTION TO EXPRESSLY APPROVE THE TOWN OF FEDERALSBURG'S REZONING OF THE PROPERTY PROPOSED FOR ANNEXATION FROM COUNTY R2 RESIDENTIAL TO TOWN C2 GENERAL COMMERCIAL.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE FEDERALSBURG ANNEXATION.
ALL IN FAVOR RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND SAY AYE.
>> AYE. ALL OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES.
[6. BZA Update]
THE BCA UPDATE WAS IN REGARDS TO THE HEARTLAND HOLDINGS VARIANCE.
IF YOU RECALL, IN NOVEMBER, THEY RECEIVED A SPECIAL USE EXCEPTION FOR THEIR GRAIN BUSINESS.
HOWEVER, THE BOARD STOPPED SHORT OF APPROVING THE VARIANCE DUE TO WHAT THEY PERCEIVED AS BEING A SELF CREATED HARDSHIP.
>> SO WHAT'S THE NEXT STEP? DO THEY TRY TO [OVERLAPPING]
>> THEY CAN MOVE THEM TO MEET THE SETBACK OR THEY HAVE 30 DAYS FROM THE DATE THEY RECEIVED THEIR WRITTEN DECISION TO APPEAL IT TO CIRCUIT COURT.
>> IS THIS THE GREEN TANK [OVERLAPPING].
>> OPERATING ON A COMMERCIAL LEVEL, PRETTY MUCH.
>> WELL THE TANKS WOULD'VE BEEN FINE IF IT WERE A SOLELY AGRICULTURAL USE FOR JUST HIS STORAGE.
THE 500 FOOT SETBACK CAME INTO EFFECT WHEN HE WANTED TO USE COMMERCIAL STORAGE, BUY AND SELL.
>> THAT BASICALLY CHANGED THE RULE.
>> DO THEY EVEN HAVE A LICENSE TO DO THAT? YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO HAVE A DEALER'S LICENSE.
>> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ONTO THE DEPARTMENT UPDATE.
[7. Department Update]
>> TONIGHT YOU HAVE THREE LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION TO GO TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR THE LEGISLATION THAT YOU REVIEWED AND APPROVED REGARDING THE STREAM BUFFER SETBACK, WHERE THAT IN OUR COUNTY CODE IS 25 FOOT FOR INTERMITTENT AND 100 FOOT FOR PERENNIAL, AND THAT WILL BE CHANGED TO 50 FOOT.
THE OTHER WAS THE CANNABIS DISCUSSION WE HAD WITH CREATING THE NEW REGULATIONS TO ADDRESS CANNABIS FACILITIES.
THEN THE OTHER RECOMMENDATION LETTER IS FOR THE SOLAR SETBACKS.
THAT WAS BROUGHT BACK TO YOU FROM THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND YOU REEVALUATED THAT AND MADE SOME CHANGES TO CLARIFY THAT SETBACK SO WE CAN GET THOSE SCHEDULED WITH THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
THE STREAM ONE WILL HAPPEN NEXT WEEK AND THEN WE'LL PROCEED WITH THE SOLAR AND THE CANNABIS.
AS FAR AS UPCOMING TASKS, WE DO HAVE TO WORK ON THE BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE BECAUSE WE HAVE THAT MORATORIUM IN PLACE AND WE'RE ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH THAT MORATORIUM.
THERE IS A WEBINAR LESLIE AND I ARE GOING TO PARTICIPATE IN NEXT WEEK TO GET SOME MORE INFORMATION ON BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE.
HOPEFULLY THAT'S GOING TO BE A GOOD WEBINAR AND WE CAN START WORKING ON THAT.
AS YOU'RE ALL AWARE, READ IN THE PAPER, THERE IS THE MORATORIUM ON THE STORAGE OF DAF.
WE'RE PRETTY HEAVY INTO WORKING ON THAT AND POSSIBLE REGULATIONS.
[00:30:02]
THEN WE'VE BEEN FOLLOWING ALONG WITH MAKO WITH THE MODEL ORDINANCE FOR SOLAR, AND THAT IS EVER EVOLVING ALMOST EVERY WEEK WITH CHANGES TO THAT.HOPEFULLY WE'RE SUCCESSFUL IN BEING ABLE TO GET IN THERE, WHAT THE COUNTIES NEED TO PRESERVE OUR AGRICULTURAL LAND.
THEN ONE OTHER THING THAT STUART AND I'VE BEEN WORKING ON, IS CREATING REGULATIONS OR POLICY TO ADDRESS REQUESTS FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR ADA, WHEN IT COMES TO ZONING REQUIREMENTS.
THAT MAY BE SOMETHING THAT WILL BE COMING BEFORE YOU HERE SOON.
OUR VACANCIES APPLICATIONS CLOSED ON FRIDAY.
WE ARE MOVING FORWARD AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AND HAVE STARTED SCHEDULING INTERVIEWS FOR THE 24TH.
THAT WOULD BE FOR THE PLAN OR VACANCY IN THE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COORDINATOR FOR THAT,.
>> YES. HOPEFULLY INTERVIEWS GO WELL AND THERE'S POSSIBLE CANDIDATES THERE.
>> THE WEBINAR THAT WE WERE GOING TO WATCH IS NEXT FRIDAY.
IT'S PLANNING AND ZONING FOR BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS. IT'S THE OHIO AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION CHAPTER.
I CAN FORWARD YOU GUYS THE INVITE IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN NOT DOING ANYTHING AT ONE O'CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON NEXT FRIDAY.
WE'LL BE WATCHING IT AND ABSORBING THE INFO.
BUT WE CAN FORWARD IT TO YOU IF YOU ALL WANTED TO WATCH IT.
>> YOU JUST HAVE TO CLICK ON THE INVITE TO REGISTER AND THEN YOU'LL GET THE LINK FOR THE WEBINAR.
>> REALLY THE ONLY CONTROVERSIAL ITEM OF
[8. Planning Commission Recommendation for Regulation Changes]
THESE THREE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON TO SEND TO THE COMMISSIONERS WAS THE SOLAR ORDINANCE.WE RECEIVED A LOT OF TESTIMONY REGARDING THE 200 FOOT SETBACK.
A LOT OF INTERESTED PARTIES IN SOLAR DEVELOPMENT WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SIZE OF THAT SETBACK.
I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE THE COMMISSIONERS HAD SHARED THAT CONCERN.
I THINK WE ARE TRYING TO PROTECT THE AESTHETICS OF THE COUNTY AND ITS RURAL FIELD TO PREVENT FENCING AND BUFFERS FROM BEING RIGHT ON RIGHT OF WAYS AND PROPERTY LINES.
THE REASON THAT WE RECOMMENDED IT TO COME BACK TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION WAS TO CLEAN UP THE LANGUAGE FOR THE 200 FOOT SETBACK TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT IT DID APPLY EVEN IF A PARCEL CROSSED A RIGHT OF WAY OR A ROAD.
WE WANTED THAT SETBACK TO BE 200 FEET.
I THINK IT WAS PROBABLY COVERED BEFORE, BUT I THINK WE CLEANED IT UP A LITTLE BIT AND MADE IT MORE CLEAR THAT WE DO EXPECT THE 200 FOOT SETBACK FROM ALL ROADS EVEN IF A PARCEL IN SOME SITUATION CROSSED A RIGHT OF WAY OR A ROAD.
WE DIDN'T WANT IT MISCONSTRUED THAT YOU COULD THEN CUT YOUR SETBACKS DOWN.
I SUSPECT THAT WHEN IT COMES FOR PUBLIC HEARING, WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO RECEIVE A LOT OF COMMENT ON IT AND A LOT OF THREATS OF PREEMPTION AND POSSIBLY LAWSUIT OVER IT.
BUT I THINK THE COMMISSIONERS FEEL LIKE IT'S NECESSARY AND REASONABLE.
I THINK WE'RE STILL ACCOMMODATING SOLAR BY DOING THIS AND WE'RE MEETING THAT BALANCE OF PROTECTING THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND THEN ALSO STILL ALLOWING SOLAR. THAT'S OUR POSITION.
>> I THINK THERE'S A THREAT OF PREEMPTING THE 200 FOOT PART OR [OVERLAPPING]
>> AS TOO ONEROUS OF A RESTRICTION, POTENTIALLY, I GUESS.
THE PENDULUM IS SWINGING BACK THE COUNTY'S DIRECTION WITH SOLAR TO PROTECT AGRICULTURE RURAL LAND ANYWAY.
THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION RECENTLY AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO GRANT THE COUNTIES OR NOT GRANT, I SHOULD SAY, PROTECT THE COUNTY'S ABILITY TO REGULATE SOLAR SIGN TO THE EXTENT OF ACTUALLY POTENTIALLY CAPPING THE AMOUNT OF SOLAR THAT CAN HAPPEN IN A COUNTY.
I THINK DISCUSSIONS ARE RIGHT NOW AROUND 2%, AND CRYSTAL, I THINK 2,000 ACRES WAS PRETTY CLOSE TO 2% FOR US, IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT MORE.
[00:35:03]
THERE ARE SOME PROTECTIONS BEING PUT IN PLACE, SOME CONVERSATIONS.>> DO WE NEED A MOTION TO SEND THESE ALL ON TO THE COMMISSIONERS?
>> [OVERLAPPING] YOU'VE ALREADY DONE THAT IF YOU'RE GIVING THIS MEETING SO JUST THE OFFICIAL CAPPING UP.
>> I'M SURE THERE WILL BE SOME PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CANNABIS.
>> [OVERLAPPING] [LAUGHTER] LESLIE AND I'VE BEEN FOLLOWING THE HOUSING ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT REGULATIONS THAT THE STATE IS LOOKING AT, THE AFFORDABILITY.
IT'S THE STATE REGULATIONS THAT CREATE THE PROBLEM.
AT THE COUNTY LEVEL THEY KEEP PORTRAYING IT AS WE HAVE ALL OF THESE REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE HINDERING AND IT'S NOT, IT'S THE STATE.
WE'RE ON PRIVATE SEPTIC AND THERE'S SPRINKLER CODES THAT AFFECT THE AFFORDABILITY AND ENERGY CODES THAT AFFECT AFFORDABILITY.
IT'S NOT US. THERE WAS A RECENT LEGISLATION WE JUST HEARD THE OTHER DAY THAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT REQUIRING LOCAL JURISDICTIONS NOW TO PROVIDE REPORTS TO THE STATE ON THE NUMBER OF PERMIT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, HOW MANY WERE APPROVED, HOW MANY WERE DISAPPROVED, WHAT WAS THE AMOUNT OF TIME SPENT WITH THE APPLICATION? ALL OF THAT. BUT IT ONLY APPLIES, AS I READ IT, TO JURISDICTIONS WITH 250,000 AND ABOVE POPULATION.
[OVERLAPPING] THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
>> THANK YOU. THE ONLY OTHER THING AT THE END WAS THE CALENDAR OF ALL THE UPCOMING MEETINGS FOR THE YEAR, WHICH I THINK WE DISCUSSED THAT LAST MEETING AS FAR AS MOVING SOME TO THE COURTHOUSE.
>> YES. THERE ARE COURTHOUSE MEETINGS IN MAY AND NOVEMBER.
IT'S MARKED ON THAT CALENDAR, BUT IT'S ON THEIR MEDIA COURTHOUSE.
>> THAT'S A RECORD FAST MEETING.
SURE YOU DON'T WANT TO BE CHAIR AGAIN?
>> I JUST WANTED TO ASK A QUESTION.
[9. Planning Commissioners Open Discussion]
SOMETHING THAT YOU HAD JUST SAID ABOUT THE STATE AND ALL ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING.AND THERE FOR US TO SEEM LIKE THEY THEY TIE OUR HANDS TO A CERTAIN EXTENT WITH THEIR REGULATIONS AND WE HAVE TO ABIDE BY THEM.
>> YOU JUST HEAR SO MUCH ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATION ALL MOVING FOR ALL OF THIS JUST SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE NEEDS IF SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE POINTED OUT TO THEM THAT OUR HANDS ARE TIED WITH THEIR REGULATIONS.
HOW ARE WE DEFENDING? HOW ARE WE APPROACHING THAT SITUATION?
>> THE STATE FORMED A TASK FORCE, AND THE TASK FORCE HAS BEEN WORKING THIS YEAR AND ABOUT TO COME BACK BY THE END OF MAY, I BELIEVE IT IS, WITH THEIR FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WHAT THEY'VE DISCOVERED.
BUT ONE OF THE LAST MEETINGS I WAS AT, THE 3 HOURS, 4 HOURS LONG.
>> IT'S PAINFUL. WE HAVE NO ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE, EVEN THROUGH A CHAT OR ANYTHING BECAUSE WE'RE NOT PART OF THE GROUP SO WE CAN WATCH.
IT TOOK AN INTERIOR DESIGNER THAT WAS ON THE TASK FORCE TO POINT OUT THAT WHEN THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT SIZING AND REQUIREMENTS, THIS IS ALREADY ADDRESSED IN THE BUILDING CODE TO WHICH THE STATE HAS ADOPTED THAT REGULATES THE SIZE AND EVERYTHING.
YOU'RE SPENDING TIME AND ENERGY ON THINGS THAT ARE ALREADY HERE, THE STATE NEEDS TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS THERE.
IT'S NOT IN THESE REGULATIONS.
>> BUT IN OUR CASE, A LOT OF IT IS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH.
YOU KNOW, IT'S ON SITE DISPOSAL,
[00:40:01]
SEPTIC SYSTEM HANDLE IT IS THE SOIL, THE PROPER SOILS TO HANDLE THE ADDITIONAL FLOW, AND THEN THE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS THAT ARE REQUIRED JUST DRIVE THE COST UP.BECAUSE YOU'RE OUT IN A RURAL AREA, YOU DON'T HAVE MUNICIPAL WATER IN OUR CASE, SO YOU NEED A WELL WITH A HIGHER PRESSURE PUMP AND THEN THE ADDITIONAL COST OF INSTALLING THE SPRINKLER SYSTEM.
BUT THE MAIN RESTRICTIVE FACTOR HERE IS ON SITE DISPOSAL, THE SEPTICS, IT'S IN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS HANDS.
>> YEAH. BECAUSE I'M SEEING SOME NEW HOME BEING BUILT, ESPECIALLY ONE DOWN THE ROAD FOR ME SEEMS LIKE THE BEAUTIFUL HOME.
ALL OF A SUDDEN THE LAST THING IS THIS GUY'S GOT THIS BIG OLD HUMP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FRONT YARD MOUND SYSTEM. IN THE MOUNT SYSTEM.
I'M LOOKING AT THAT AND THING I SEE WHERE I GUESS THE LOTS ARE SO SMALL THAT MAYBE BASICALLY FOR THAT.
>> A LOT OF MOUNT SYSTEMS ARE DUE TO HIGH GROUNDWATER TABLE.
WHAT HAPPENS? A MOUND SYSTEM DOUBLES THE COST OF A SEPTIC.
THERE'S ANOTHER ASPECT THAT ADDS COST, A TRADITIONAL SEPTIC.
NOW YOU'RE PROBABLY LOOKING AT 15-20,000 AMOUNT.
IT DOESN'T ACTUALLY DOUBLE, BUT THEY'RE CONSIDERABLY MORE EXPENSIVE.
THAT'S EVEN IF YOU CAN GET A PERMIT FOR A SITE DISPOSAL.
SOME CASES THE WATER TABLE IS TOO HIGH OR THE SOIL CONDITIONS JUST AREN'T CONDUCIVE TO ALLOW SEPTIC AT ALL, SO A LOT BECOMES UNBUILDABLE AT THAT POINT.
THOSE ARE THE FACTORS THAT ARE REALLY RESTRICTING ANY AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE COUNTY.
>> THEN LOT SIZES. A LOT OF THESE SMALL MUNICIPALITY OR SMALL RURAL VILLAGES LIKE HARMONY OR THAT THOM, YOU KNOW, I'M TRYING TO THINK OF ONE AT THE NORTH END OF THE COUNTY.
>> YEAH. BUT THOSE LITTLE VILLAGES WERE SMALL LOTS YOU CAN NO LONGER BUILD BECAUSE YOUR SEWAGE RESERVE AREA HAS TO BE LARGER THAN THE LOT IN MANY CASES.
THE LOT SIZE IS ANYMORE FOR ON SITE DISPOSAL BECOMES SO LARGE THAT DRIVES THE COST STUFF BECAUSE YOU GOT TO BUY MORE PROPERTY.
>> THOSE ARE ALL, AND IT'S PRETTY MUCH ALL DRIVEN FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH COST SIDE OF THINGS.
THEN OTHER THINGS WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT'S EVEN GOING TO AFFECT THE MUNICIPALITIES IS THE NEW BUILDING CODE, RIGHT, CRYSTAL?
>> THEY'RE BECOMING MORE EXPENSIVE TO BUILD BECAUSE THEY'VE GOT TO BE INSULATED BETTER.
IN SOME CASES, YOU MAY NEED THICKER WALL FRAMING TO HANDLE MORE INSULATION.
MORE INSULATION COSTS MORE MONEY.
TIGHTER TOLERANCES ON WINDOWS AND DOORS.
ALL OF THOSE ENERGY EFFICIENCY ISSUES ARE DRIVING THE COST OF HOUSING UP.
SO IT'S IRONIC THAT THE STATE IS TALKING ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WHILE THE ONLY THING THEY'VE DONE FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS IS DRIVE THE COST OF HOUSING UP.
NOW THEY LOOK AROUND LIKE, WHY DID THIS HAPPEN? WHY CAN NOBODY AFFORD A HOUSE?
>> SOMETIMES WHEN I DRIVE DOWN THROUGH BRIDGEVILLE, DELAWARE, YOU'RE GOING DOWN TO BRIDGEVILLE AND YOU'RE STARTING TO SEE ALL THIS CONSTRUCTION.
>> YEAH, IT'S LIKE DELAWARE SEEMS TO BE ALL THESE LITTLE SMALL PLACES LIKE BRIDGEVILLE NOW THEY'RE BLOWING UP AND IT JUST QUESTIONS CERTAIN THINGS TO ME WITH THE STATE, I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT LEVEL, BUT AT THE STATE LEVEL THAT THEY REALLY GOT TO TAKE A LITTLE HARDER LOOK HERE IN RURAL AMERICA.
WHAT WE HAVE, WHAT ARE YOU DOING THAT'S HOLDING US BACK?
>> EVERY YEAR THAT ENERGY CODE BECOMES HARDER AND HARDER TO COMPLY WITH WHEN THEY FIRST, A FEW YEARS BACK WHEN THEY FIRST CHANGED THE INSULATION REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR WALLS.
WE ALL KNOW THE FIBERGLASS INSULATION IS THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE WAY YOU SPRAY FILM.
A LOT OF PEOPLE DO THAT, BUT IT IS MORE EXPENSIVE.
BUT WHEN YOU TAKE A TWO BY FOUR CONSTRUCTION HOME, AND NOW THEY'VE MADE THE INSULATING FACTORS, IT'S GOT TO BE AN R20.
WELL, YOU CAN'T PUT R20 IN A TWO BY FOUR WALL, SO IF YOU WANT TO USE TWO BY FOUR FRAMING, YOU'RE FORCED TO DO SPRAY FOAM TO MEET THAT R VALUE OR CHANGE IT TO A TWO BY SIX CONSTRUCTION, SO EITHER YOU'RE GOING TO SPEND MORE IN YOUR FRAMING MATERIAL OR YOU'RE GOING TO SPEND MORE ON YOUR INSULATION, SO YOU CAN'T WIN.
>> IT'S ALL OF THOSE THINGS REALLY.
THE ANSWER THAT I SEE IS INCENTIVIZING EXPANSION OF
[00:45:03]
MUNICIPAL UTILITIES TO ALLOW FOR DENSER DEVELOPMENT SO YOU CAN BUILD ON SMALLER LOTS AND YEAH, THAT'S PART OF MY HEARTBURN WITH THE MESCANTASCRASS MONEY.LIKE TO ME, THAT KIND OF MONEY SHOULD BE GOING TO THESE PUMP STATIONS IN FEDERALSBURG.
THEY SHOULD BE PRIORITY FUNDED IF WE'VE GOT MONEY SITTING IN A POT.
IT SHOULD BE PROJECTS LIKE THOSE.
OR IT SHOULD BE EXPANSION OF MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEMS TO ALLOW FOR CHEAPER DEVELOPMENT, FOR MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION IS.
>> YEAH, I AGREE WITH THAT 100%.
>> BUT THEY'LL NEVER DO IT BECAUSE IT MAKES TOO MUCH SENSE.
>> BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT MYSELF AND COMMISSIONER PORTER, WHO IS OUR MAKO, REPRESENTED MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES REPRESENTATIVE, AND COMMISSIONER PORTER OF HANDLES THE, YOU KNOW THAT COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE STATE LEGISLATURES AND STUFF.
ANYTIME WE GET ASKED THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DRIVING HOME IS YOU GOT TO MAKE IT MORE AFFORDABLE TO BUILD.
>> BUT YEAH, BECAUSE, THAT EVENTUALLY WILL AFFECT EVENTUALLY IT'LL AFFECT OUR ECONOMY HERE.
>> IT'S GOING TO PRICE'S GOING TO PRICE EVERYBODY OUT OF HOME.
WELL, WE CAN'T FIND, WE WON'T HAVE ANYBODY WHO COULD ACTUALLY LIVE IN CAROLINE COUNTY AND WORK HERE AT THE SAME TIME.
IT'S HAPPENING NOW, SO YOU KNOW THAT IS KIND OF A PET FOR ME.
[OVERLAPPING] I THINK FOR YOU TOO.
>> I'M GLAD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR EXPLAINING A LOT MORE OF THAT.
DETAILS ON HOW OUR LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES OF THIS GOVERNMENT OF OURS HASN'T PRIORITIZED THINGS THAT WE HEAR LIVE HERE.
>> WE WERE LOOKING AT THINGS, YOU KNOW, IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO WITHIN OUR LOCAL REGULATIONS IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING? THIS WAS ALSO DISCUSSED IN THE LAST MEETING WITH THE LEGISLATION THEY'RE PROPOSING IS MANUFACTURED DWELLINGS, WHICH ARE YOUR MOBILE HOMES.
OUR REGULATIONS WERE CREATED BACK IN THE '60S, EARLY '70S, TO ADDRESS MOBILE HOMES, AND IF YOU LOOK AT HOW MOBILE HOMES WERE CONSTRUCTED AND WHAT THEY LOOKED LIKE BACK THEN, PART OF THE REASONING BEHIND WHY WE ALLOWED THEM ONLY IN CERTAIN AREAS UNDER CERTAIN CRITERIA WAS PARTLY THE AESTHETICS OF IT.
BUT AS TIME HAS PROGRESSED, MOBILE HOMES LOOK WAY DIFFERENT THAN THEY DID BACK IN THE '70S.
THEY'RE CONSTRUCTED WAY BETTER, THEY'RE UNDERHOOD STANDARDS.
WE'VE NEVER IN THE COUNTY TAKEN A LOOK AT OUR MOBILE HOME REGULATIONS TO SAY RIGHT NOW THEY'RE LIMITED TO ONLY BEING IN OUR R DISTRICTS AND YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH A 30 DAY OBJECTION PROCEDURE WITH EVERY PROPERTY OWNER WITHIN 1,000 FEET FOR SINGLE WIDES.
NOW WE DO THE DOUBLE WIDES, WE TREAT THEM THE SAME AS ANY STICK BUILT HOME.
YOU CAN PUT THEM IN THE SAME ZONING DISTRICTS.
IT'S THE SINGLE WIDES THAT WE RESTRICT ONLY TO OUR ROLE ZONING AND ONLY IF NO NEIGHBOR WITHIN 1,000 FEET OBJECTS TO IT, CAN YOU GET APPROVAL TO PUT IT THERE? THERE'S SOME THOUGHT IN MAYBE LOOKING AT THOSE REGULATIONS AND AND DO WE WANT TO REMOVE THE OBJECTION PROCESS? DO WE WANT TO OPEN IT UP TO THE R1 ZONING DISTRICTS POTENTIALLY BASICALLY ALLOW THEM IN SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL THE SAME WAY WE DO DOUBLE WIDE AND THAT WOULD HELP WITH SOME OF THE AFFORDABILITY BECAUSE THEY ARE MORE REASONABLY PRICED FROM A STICK BUILT.
THEY GET SOME EXCEPTIONS BECAUSE THEY'RE REGULATED THROUGH HUD, BUT THEY ARE MUCH DIFFERENT THAN THEY WERE WHEN WE ORIGINALLY ADOPTED THOSE REGULATIONS.
WE COULD DO AT THIS LEVEL LEGISLATIVELY TO TRY AND PROVIDE SOME MORE OPTIONS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, THINGS LIKE THAT.
THAT'S ONE OF THE SPECIFIC TOPICS THAT THE GOVERNORS THAT THE STATE IS LOOKING AT TOO, AND THEY'RE THROWING OUT. HERE'S ANOTHER IDEA.
THEY SAID WHAT ABOUT ALLOWING MANUFACTURED HOMES IN SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL? WE ALREADY DO THE DOUBLE WIDE, BUT WE REALIZE WE REALLY DON'T THE SINGLE WIDE.
>> THERE'S DEFINITELY THINGS YOU CAN DO AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS ADDRESS THIS IS YOU HAVE TO HAVE A CERTAIN PITCH ROOF ON THE SINGLE WIDE.
IT CAN'T BE A FLAT ROOF OR YOU CAN'T HAVE VINYL SKIRTING YOU'VE GOT TO PUT AROUND IT OR, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO MAKE IT LOOK MORE LIKE A COMPATIBLE.
SO DEFINITELY SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT DOING COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT.
>> HEY, CAN WE TOUCH ON THAT IN THE COMPREHENSIVE REZONING?
>> WELL, THAT WOULD ACTUALLY BE IN THE COMPREHENSIVE REZONING.
YES, THAT WOULD BE A GOAL IN THE HOUSING ELEMENT THAT WE LOOK AT OUR REGS TO SEE
[00:50:02]
ABOUT ALLOWING THE SINGLE WIDES IN SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL.THEN THE ACTION PART WOULD BE DURING THE COMPREHENSIVE REZONING, YOU MAKE THAT CHANGE IN THE REGS.
>> I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING TO TAKE A LOOK AT.
>> YEAH, IT'S CHIPPING AWAY AT THE MOUNTAIN, BUT I MEAN, THAT'S HOW YOU DO IT WHERE YOU CAN.
>> THE INTERESTING THING IS, IS WHEN WE HAVE RECEIVED APPLICATIONS FOR SINGLE WIDES IN THE R DISTRICT, AND THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT 30-DAY OBJECTION PROCEDURE, WE DON'T GET OBJECTIONS.
>> THAT TELLS YOU THERE THAT NO ONE'S HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THEM IN THE R DISTRICT.
>> WELL, I'M QUITE SURE BECAUSE A LOT OF FAMILIES WOULD LOVE THAT BECAUSE THEY GOT A LOT OF THEIR CHILDREN LIVING BACK AT HOME.
[LAUGHTER] I MEAN, I HEAR THIS ALL THE TIME, I'M TRYING TO FIND A PLACE FOR MY SON AND DAUGHTER AND THEY'RE STILL LIVING AT HOME WITH ME.
>> THE AFFORDABILITY COMES IN BECAUSE THEY ARE EXEMPTED FROM THE SPRINKLER REQUIREMENTS?
>> BECAUSE THEY ARE REGULATED FEDERALLY BY HUD, THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS. NOW, THERE ARE SOME COUNTIES [OVERLAPPING].
>> WELL, I WOULD LIKE TO EXEMPT EVERYTHING IN THE [OVERLAPPING].
>> THERE ARE SOME COUNTIES IN MARYLAND THAT STILL REQUIRE IT. ABOVE OR BEYOND.
>> STILL LOOKS LIKE, NO, DON'T BRING THAT TO ME.
>> MAYBE EVENTUALLY, STUART, WHEN ALL THE OTHER FIRES HAVE BEEN PUT OUT, WE MIGHT GET TO THAT [OVERLAPPING]. WHICH WILL NEVER HAPPEN.
>> [LAUGHTER] GOOD LUCK ON THAT.
>> [OVERLAPPING] SYSTEMS WOULD THEY BE ABLE TO TAP INTO SOMETHING SURROUNDING THE MUNICIPALITY?
>> IT'S IN THAT INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE THAT THEY ADOPTED.
>> I THINK THEY ALREADY ALLOWED THEM. I DON'T KNOW [OVERLAPPING].
>> CRYSTAL, WHERE DID THE SPRINKLER REQUIREMENT COME FROM? IT CAME FROM THE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE THAT THE STATE ADOPTED, RIGHT?
>> YES. WHEN THEY FIRST STARTED WITH IT AND THEY ADOPTED IT, THEY SAID, OKAY, THE COUNTIES, YOU HAVE TO OFFER IT, YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY PERSON THAT'S BUILDING A HOUSE IS TOLD YOU HAVE THE OPTION TO PUT A SPRINKLER SYSTEM IN THEM AND THEY HAD TO SIGN A FORM, THE CONTRACTOR HAD TO MAKE SURE THEY NOTIFIED THEM.
SO WE HAD TO COLLECT THESE FORMS WITH EVERY PERMIT TO SAY YOU'VE WAIVED YOUR OPTION TO PUT A SPRINKLER SYSTEM IN, AND THEN MORE AND MORE PUSHBACK CAME AND THEY MANDATED IT.
>> ALL RIGHT. WHICH I THINK IS LUDICROUS.
IF YOU'RE OUT ON A 50-ACRE FIELD SOMEWHERE AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HURT ANYBODY, YOU WANT TO BUILD A HOUSE, IT SHOULD BE YOUR CHOICE WHETHER TO PUT SPRINKLERS IN IT OR NOT.
>> YES, BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE PERSON ATTACKED THE OTHER SIDE OF YOU.
>> BUT I THINK OUT IN THE COUNTY, IT'S INSANE THAT YOU CANNOT MAKE THAT CHOICE YOURSELF IF YOU'RE BUILDING A HOUSE.
NOW, IF YOU'RE BUILDER, YOU CAN MAKE THE ARGUMENT IF YOU'RE A BUILDER WITH INTENTION TO RESELL THE HOUSE, THAT IT COULD BE MANDATED.
I DON'T THINK I WOULD ARGUE WITH THAT.
BUT IF YOU OWN THE PROPERTY AND YOU HIRE SOMEBODY TO BUILD A HOUSE ON IT, IT SHOULD BE YOUR CHOICE IF IT'S YOUR RISK.
>> IT'S NOT JUST AN INCREASED COST WITH THE SPRINKLER SYSTEM ITSELF, THAT'S GOT TO WORK OFF OF YOUR WELL.
>> IF YOU HAVE THE ABILITY, FIRST OFF, YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO PUMP AT THE RATE THAT YOU NEED TO ACCOMMODATE THAT SPRINKLER, WHICH REQUIRES A LARGER WELLHEAD TO ACCOMMODATE THE PUMP.
WE WENT FROM THE STANDARD TO A LITTLE BIT BIGGER WELLHEAD TO ACCOMMODATE THE PUMP.
BUT IF YOU CAN'T, YOUR ONLY OPTION IS TO PUT STORAGE TANKS IN, AND THEY ARE MASSIVE AND THEY'VE GOT TO HAVE FREEZE PROTECTION.
SO NOW YOU'RE HAVING TO PUT THEM IN THE CRAWL, YOU'RE HAVING TO CONDITION YOUR CRAWL.
I'M STILL WONDERING AT WHAT POINT WHEN ONE OF THESE FAIL UNDERNEATH THE HOUSE, HOW THEY'RE GOING TO GET THEM OUT AND GET ANOTHER ONE IN THERE BECAUSE MOST OF THEM, THEY'RE PUT IN BEFORE THE HOUSE IS BUILT.
SO EVER REPLACING THEM SHOULD BE QUITE INTERESTING IF THEY SHOULD EVER FAIL.
>> THERE'S MORE WATER DAMAGE THAT HAPPENS FROM THE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS.
>> I JUST RENOVATED HOUSE, I HAD TO HAVE A WELL BIG ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT A SPRINKLER SYSTEM, AND THE RENOVATION ALSO INCLUDES A SPRINKLER SYSTEM IN AN OLD HOUSE, AND I WAS KIND OF LIKE, WOW, MAN, I MEAN, YOU KNOW.
OF COURSE, I'M SIMILAR TO YOU. I WAS OUT THERE.
NOBODY GOING, IT'S A HOUSE THAT ISN'T EVEN ATTACHED TO NOBODY, AND I MEAN, I DIDN'T GET AN OPPORTUNITY ON AN OPTION.
>> YEAH. NO ONE REALIZES IT'S NOT JUST THAT THE SPRINKLER COMPANY CAN TELL YOU IT'S $5,000 TO PUT IN A SPRINKLER.
WELL, IT'S NOT JUST 5,000, YOU'VE GOT THE WELL, THE PUMP.
>> THE TANKS IF YOU NEED THEM, WHATEVER IT IS TO [OVERLAPPING] FREEZE PROTECTION FOR THE TANKS.
>> I HAD A WHOLE NEW WELL IN THAT.
>> THEN YOUR HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE IS MORE BECAUSE THERE'S MORE RISK OF DAMAGE.
>> YES, WE DID LOTS OF RESEARCH WHEN THIS WAS FIRST BEING PUSHED BY THE STATE,
[00:55:05]
WE TALKED TO INSURANCE COMPANIES AND THEY WERE LIKE THEY END UP CAUSING MORE DAMAGE.WE'RE NOT GIVING YOU A DISCOUNT.
>> NO, THEY'RE NOT. I'M A PERSON, THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I ASKED THESE QUESTIONS, I'M ONE OF THE RECIPIENTS OF THAT REGULATION.
OF COURSE, I'M IN A POSITION A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T MAKE AS MUCH MONEY IN THIS COUNTY, WHICH IS THE AVERAGE PERSON, THE AVERAGE [INAUDIBLE] WORKERS WHO WORK IN WALMARTS AND DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT, WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT. IT'S A STRUCTURE.
>> THAT SPRINKLER SYSTEM MIGHT BE THE DIFFERENCE FROM SOMEBODY WITH A JOB LIKE THAT, RENOVATING OR STAYING THE WAY IT IS, OR BUILDING A HOUSE, OR NOT BUILDING A HOUSE.
THAT MIGHT BE THE BACKBREAKER PUSHES HIM OVER THE FINANCE LINE.
>> NOBODY DECIDE TO RENT THAT PROPERTY, I GOT TO COVER MY COST.
WHERE SOMEBODY SAID, WELL, MY GOD, MY BUDGET IS ONLY $1,200 A MONTH.
WELL, YOU GOT TO COME UP BETTER THAN THAT BECAUSE I GOT TO PAY FOR THIS WELL I JUST GOT DUG.
YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. NOW, HERE WE'RE BACK TO SQUARE ONE AGAIN WITH A HOUSE THAT ISN'T AFFORDABLE.
>> THAT'S JUST MY QUESTION I WANT TO KEEP IN MIND.
I'M JUST I'M ALL FOR EVERYTHING ELSE THAT WE WERE HEADING TO A DIRECTION FOR.
BUT I THINK WHEN IT COMES TO THAT, THAT'S.
>> THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH MAKING A HOUSE ENERGY EFFICIENT.
>> WE'VE OFTEN WONDERED AND TALKED, THESE HOUSES ARE SO AIRTIGHT BECAUSE WE'RE MAKING THEM BE LESS THAN THREE AIR CHANGES PER HOUR.
AT WHAT POINT ARE YOU GOING TO START SEEING MOLD DOWN THE ROAD?
>> IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. THAT'S GOING TO BE THE RESULT OF ALL OF THIS, THAT YES, YOU MIGHT HAVE SAVED ENERGY, BUT NOW EVERYBODY'S SICK AND GOT A HOUSE FULL OF MOLD THAT THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO RENOVATE.
>> WELL, YOU MIGHT BE SAVING ENERGY, BUT NOW THERE IS FAMILIES AND FAMILIES AND FAMILIES WHO ARE HOMELESS.
>> BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO [OVERLAPPING].
>> THAT'S ABOUT TO COLLIDE AT THE STATE LEVEL.
>> I ALMOST FEEL BAD FOR THEM BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO NOW CHOOSE THEIR SACRED BABY.
>> HOPEFULLY, IT'S THE PEOPLE.
BUT THAT'S WHAT'S ABOUT TO HAPPEN IS AT WHAT COST? THE COST IS, WHICH THEY KNOW HOMELESSNESS, NO DECENT HOUSING IN AMERICA.
>> WELL, I MEAN, I'M OUT ON THE ROAD EVERY DAY IN THIS COMMUNITY DEALING WITH MOSTLY LOW-INCOME PEOPLE AND HOMELESSNESS IS RIGHT ON THE EDGE.
>> OH, YEAH. [OVERLAPPING] LET ALONE BEING ABLE TO AFFORD YOUR FIRST HOUSE.
>> THEY COME TO ME, AND THEY GO, WELL, WHAT DO WE DO? WE DON'T HAVE NOWHERE TO LIVE.
WE'VE ACTUALLY PURCHASED TENTS [OVERLAPPING].
>> IT'S HOMELESSNESS DEFINITELY, BUT ALSO YOUR HOME IS THAT IS GENERATIONAL WEALTH, THAT'S AN ASSET.
>> SO ALL THOSE PEOPLE WHO AREN'T ABLE TO GET TO THAT, THAT IS LIKE THE FOUNDATION OF GENERATIONS BEYOND YOU, AND THAT'S GONE.
THAT IMPACT ISN'T JUST RIGHT NOW, THAT IS DOWN THE ROAD ETERNALLY.
>> THAT'S WHAT I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO COME TO GRIPS WITH.
IT'S LIKE THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM.
>> WELL, HOPEFULLY, SOMEBODY GETS THEM SWAYED TO MAKE SOME CHANGES, BUT I'M NOT HOLDING MY BREATH.
>> WELL, RIGHT NOW THEY'RE SAYING, GOSH, WHY DON'T WE HAVE ENOUGH HOUSING? IT'S UP TO US TO ANSWER THEM.
>> RIGHT. IT'S BECAUSE YOU'VE REGULATED HOUSING OUT OF AFFORDABILITY.
>> THEY'D LIKE TO HAVE A TOWN HALL MEETING WITH THAT AND SEE WHO SHOWS UP.
[LAUGHTER] HALF OF THE COUNTY WOULD SHOW UP TO THE TOWN HALL MEETING.
>> IT'S HARD NOT TO SHOUT IT WHEN THEY'RE LIKE, GOSH, WE REALLY NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE THIS MORE FEASIBLE.
IT'S LIKE, WELL, WE CAN TELL YOU, WE'VE ALREADY TOLD YOU.
>> BUT THEY'RE GONNA REALIZE IT.
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
>> MOTION AND SECOND TO ADJOURN.
ALL IN FAVOR RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND SAY AYE.
MOTION CARRIES. MEETING ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.