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Come July 1, Calvert County residents might not be dealing with the Department of Planning and Zoning anymore. That’s because county government staff is proposing a name change for the department—to Department of Community Planning and Building (CPB).

In a memo to the Calvert County Commissioners, Department of Planning and Zoning Deputy Director Mary Beth Cook indicated the recent reorganization of the office warrants the name change. “The department now functions in four divisions—policy, development and review, appeals, variances and exceptions; and, Inspections and Permits,” Cook stated. “The Division of Inspections and Permits is an important function of the department consisting of 30 percent of the budget and staff, which is not reflected in the current name. A new name that describes both the planning and building review functions would enable the department to better reflect its mandate to provide planning and building services to our community.”

The name change and revisions to several recorded ordinances will be considered at a public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, May 1 at 10:30 a.m. The commissioners would wait the required 10 days and take action on the proposal at their May 15 meeting. If approved, the change would take effect July 1.

Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com