LA PLATA, Md. — Charles County is starting the process of updating its Comprehensive Plan, a roadmap that will guide how the county grows and develops over the next 20 to 25 years. County officials are encouraging all residents to get involved and help shape the future of their community.
The Comprehensive Plan sets housing, transportation, land use, natural resource protection and economic development policies. The current version was adopted in 2016 and is now being updated as part of the required 10-year review.
At a May 5, 2025, Planning Commission briefing, officials shared key focus areas for the 2026 update, including:
- Supporting more affordable and diverse housing
- Improving transportation options across the county
- Encouraging job growth and mixed-use development in areas like Waldorf and Bryans Road
- Protecting farmland and environmentally sensitive areas
- Ensuring all communities are included in the planning process
The county will soon launch a Comprehensive Plan Update page on the Stay Engaged, Charles County page where residents can follow the process, complete surveys, attend pop-up events and provide input on draft plans. Community involvement will be a significant part of the planning timeline, which runs through late 2026.
Tentative Timeline for the Comprehensive Plan Update:
- March–May 2025: Project kickoff and early planning
- June–December 2025: Community engagement and planning work
- January–August 2026: Draft plan preparation
- September–November 2026: Public hearings and final adoption process
Public input collected during this process will inform decisions on land use, housing, transportation, infrastructure and environmental policy in Charles County for the next two decades. Residents are encouraged to stay engaged.
To learn more, contact Planner III Amy Blessinger at blessinga@charlescountymd.gov or call (301) 645-0650. The engagement page will be linked from the county’s Planning and Growth Management site as soon as it goes live.
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