The Department implements the goals and objectives of the County's Comprehensive Plan through the administration of the Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Regulations, Critical Area Ordinance, and Forest Conservation Regulations.
Appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, the five members of the Board serve five-year terms (Code Agriculture Article, sec. 2-504.1).
AGRICULTURAL RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE
Appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, the Committee consists of six members (County Code, Art. V, secs. 19-8 through 19-11.1).
PLANNING COMMISSION
The Commission consists of seven members appointed to five-year terms by the Board of County Commissioners (Code Land Use Article, secs. 2-101 through 3-304).
BOARD OF [ZONING] APPEALS
Appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, the Board of Appeals consists of three members and one alternate who serve three-year terms (Code Land Use Article, secs. 4-101 through 4-406).
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AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD
The Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board formed in 1990. It 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 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.
Established in January 1961, the Planning Commission makes and approves plans they recommend to the Board of County Commissioners for adoption.
The Board of [Zoning] Appeals was established in 1961 to hold public hearings to hear requests for variances, conditional uses, and appeals relating to the County Code. The Board 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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