CHESAPEAKE BEACH, Md. — The Town of Chesapeake Beach is moving forward with plans to expand the coastal buffer zone as part of a coastal resilience zone project and town zoning update, with plans to talk with the Critical Area Commission at a future meeting. Expanding the buffer zone would improve the resilience of these coastal areas, leading to less flooding and damage during storm surges. It would also require more stringent block coverage and planting restrictions.
At the Nov. 5 meeting, Town Planner Sarah Franklin advised members of the Planning Commission that simply expanding the buffer out 200 feet, for example, in all areas would encompass some existing houses and structures on the coast. Previously, the commission also discussed expanding the buffer by 100 feet but hoped to revisit the map with the Critical Area Commission.
Franklin said that adding an “overlay” matching or aligning with the Maryland Flood Explorer Tool could be a helpful way to create the new map, and advised Planning Commission members to utilize the map before the next conversation. The tool allows users to compare different types of flooding, adjust for major events or learn about patterns throughout the years.
But Franklin emphasized that the overlay was not the only part of the plan — the Planning Commission will meet with multiple agencies to understand impacts and needs of certain departments.
The Planning Commission is also planning to meet with the Maryland Flood Insurance Agency as part of this process and will keep everyone updated on the timeline.
The current coastal resiliency plan was adopted in 2023. No vote has yet been called on updating the plan.
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