Left to right, Calvert County Commissioners Jerry Clark, Susan Shaw, Pat Nutter, Steve Weems and Evan Slaughenhoupt.
Prince Frederick, MD – In a move that is viewed as business friendly, the Calvert County Commissioners, acting on a recommendation by the county Planning Commission, have adopted changes to the parking regulations contained in the county’s Zoning Ordinance.
The commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the modifications at their Tuesday, Dec. 2 meeting.
The county commissioners and planning commission held a joint public hearing on the proposals in late October, after which the public record was left open for two weeks.
The planning commission voted 5-to-0 at their Nov. 19 meeting to recommend the adoption.
In a staff report compiled by the Department of Community Planning and Building, it was noted a “comprehensive review” of the parking regulations was done, and “a reduction of the required number of spaces is proposed. The current regulations are set up to be both minimums and maximums precluding any flexibility. The parking charts are modified by reducing the requirements to an appropriate minimum while allowing property owners to provide additional parking without additional approvals. The proposed regulations also allow shared parking within or among multiple parcels for uses shown on a commercial site plan.”
The staff report stated the changes are intended to enhance economic viability for businesses by requiring fewer spaces, thus reducing land area requirements and construction costs. The modifications will also decrease the impervious surface areas, thus reducing stormwater runoff.
The revisions also affect new construction of residential developments, including additions to existing buildings and structures. The revised regulations reaffirm that the granting of occupancy permits will be contingent on the compliance with the Zoning Ordinance.
In making the motion to adopt the text amendments Commissioner Evan K. Slaughenhoupt Jr. [R] noted the changes are designed to have a positive economic and environmental impact.
Although he supported the revisions, Commissioner Gerald W. “Jerry” Clark [R] stated the town of Solomons still has a dearth of parking. “It will be interesting to see what happens going forward,” said Clark.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com