CAROLINE COUNTY, MARYLAND

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

PLANNING

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & CODES

Health & Public Services Building, 403 South Seventh St., Denton, Maryland, August 2016. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD
The Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board advises the Board of County Commissioners on the establishment of agricultural districts and the approval of purchases of easements within the County by the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation.

Composed of five members, the Advisory Board is appointed to five-year terms by the Board of County Commissioners (Code Agriculture Article, sec, 2-504.1; County Code, secs. 74-1 through 74-8).

AGRICULTURAL RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE
The Agricultural Reconciliation Committee arbitrates and mediates disputes involving agricultural operations conducted on agricultural lands. The Committee issues opinions on whether such operations conform with generally accepted agricultural management practices.

The Committee consists of five members who are appointed to four-year terms by the Board of County Commissioners (County Code, sec. 149-4).

BURIAL SITES PRESERVATION BOARD
Authorized in 2007, the Burial Sites Preservation Board was made part of the Department of Planning and Codes Administration, which became the Department of Planning, Codes, and Engineering in 2008 (County Code, secs. 89-1 through 89-8).

The Board's members are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to four-year terms. Annually, the Board selects its chair and vice-chair.

PLANNING COMMISSION
In Caroline County, the Planning Commission reviews, evaluates, and approves or disapproves of plans for subdivisions, mobile home developments, transfer of development rights (TDR) receiving areas, and major or minor site plans. Further, it hears appeals concerning the approval or disapproval of site plans. To the Board of County Commissioners, the Planning Commission also reviews and recommends proposals to: acquire and develop land for County open space or recreation; change land use or development due to federal, State or local programs or policies; and change or amend the County Coprehensive Plan or Subdivision regulations. Moreover, it reviews and recommends proposals to: rezone; amend the Zoning Ordinance; and change or amend the County Comprehensive Water and Sewerage Plan.

The Commission consists of five members appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. Four serve five-year terms, and one County Commissioner member serves ex officio concurrent with his or her official term (Code Land Use Article, secs. 2-101 through 3-304).

BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
Appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, members of the Board of Zoning Appeals serve three-year terms (Code Land Use Article, secs. 4-101 through 4-406).

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