PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Calvert County’s Department of Planning and Zoning cited interest from outside sources in expanding Rural Legacy Areas (RLAs) in the county. Rural Legacy Areas are large tracts of land that are designated as rich in natural resources, agriculture or forestry. Planning and Zoning presented four possibilities for the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to consider at their Oct. 28 meeting, ranging from 467 parcels (3,520 acres) to 1,814 parcels (13,948 acres).
Since 2019, the Department of Planning and Zoning has partnered with the Southern Maryland Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) on land preservation within Calvert County. This partnership involves RC&D’s management of the county’s RLAs, which may include the creation of new or expanded RLAs. The last expansion of the RLAs was approved by the Board of Public Works and was formally adopted on April 19, 2023. Landowners’ participation in the program is voluntary.
The options allowed different “tiers” to be included (ranging from Tier 1 to Tier 4). When more tiers were permitted, the amount of eligible land increased.
Planning and Zoning members added that the option they could adopt would also be subject to updates to state designations on the different tiers. Local regulations would also affect what gets adopted. For example, if the RLA area expanded to include areas within the borders of the Town of Chesapeake Beach, the town would also have to have its own 45-day public comment period in addition to the county’s public comment period.
“We don’t have a definitive answer to tell people at this point, which makes it more difficult,” said Amalia Pleake-Tamm, a county environmental planner.
“It is a tight turnaround,” Pleake-Tamm added. In order to get this project moving in 2026, Calvert County would have to submit their guidance by mid-December at the latest in order for RC&D to meet their Feb. 2 deadline. Environmental Planning Regulator Ron Marney said the project might be pushed to 2027 based on the timeline presented.
Todd Ireland recommended having a joint public hearing or town hall with the BOCC and Planning and Zoning to help the public understand the changes, all possible options and who would be affected. This would be a part of Planning and Zoning’s public outreach about the project.
“This is a decision that should be made by our fellow countians, not by us,” County Commissioner Catherine Grasso said. “We need to get their opinion and get their feedback, and then we can proceed.”
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