Under the Department are three offices: Economic Development; Permits and Inspections; and Planning and Land Management (County Code, Chapters 150-161). In addition, three boards assist the Department: the Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board, the Planning Commission, and the Board of Zoning Appeals.
The five members of the Advisory Board are appointed to five-year terms by the Board of County Commissioners (Code, Agriculture Article, sec. 2-504.1).
PLANNING COMMISSION
Appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, the Board of Zoning Appeals consists of five members who serve three-year terms (Code Land Use Article, secs. 4-101 through 4-406; County Code, secs. 157.001 through 157.193).
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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.
The Planning Commission consists of seven members and two alternates appointed to five-year terms by the Board of County Commissioners (Code Land Use Article, secs. 2-101 through 3-304; County Code, sec. 32.15).
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
The Board of Zoning Appeals hears and decides appeals where it is alleged there is any error in any zoning order, requirement, decision, or determination. It also interprets district boundaries on official zoning maps. Upon appeal, in specific cases, the Board may authorize such variances as will not be contrary to the public interest where, owing to special conditions, a literal enforcement would result in unnecessary hardship or practical difficulty.
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