La Plata, MD – The Charles County Planning Commission forwarded the much-maligned Watershed Conservation District (WCD) to the Charles County Commissioners Monday, April 24, but the contentious issue did not go quietly into that cold dark rainy night.
Before final debate on the plan could begin, Commission Member Wayne Magoon made a motion to forward the entire WCD proposal to the county to be brought before the citizens of Charles County in a referendum vote. The motion was quickly seconded by former planning commission chairman Gilbert “Buddy” Bowling Jr., and brought thunderous applause from opponents of the proposed plan.
“Is this something that can be taken to referendum?” Planning Commission Chair Angela Sherod asked.
Attorney Elizabeth Theobolds responded, “This is something our office is involved in discussions about, if it is to include a referendum. If you wanted to forward it, so our commissioners can address it squarely, I think you can do that,” she said.
“The commissioners do have final authority even though this may or may not pass,” Sherod said.
“If we do recommend this, what I would add is this one suggestion that we would prefer a referendum,” offered member Vicki Merckel.
“I think that’s a good idea,” agreed Charles County Planning Director Steve Ball.
“I think the planning commission can make any recommendation you see fit,” Planning and Growth Management Director Steven Kaii Ziegler said. “I don’t think it makes sense to make a multi-tiered recommendation.”
“One of my concerns, I think it would be silly to not go forward even if the idea for a referendum were to come forward,” Planning Commission Member Nancy Shertler suggested. “There already is a moratorium in the WCD and even if this motion were to pass I think we would still have to go forward with everything on our agenda tonight.”
With only Merckel, Bowling and Magoon supporting the motion, however, any notion of a referendum on the WCD withered, but it showed the contentious nature of the WCD. Opponents to the plan held a demonstration in front of the County Governmental Building before the meeting took place.
They were admonished by Sharod after chatter in the audience disrupted the meeting.
When the planning commission elected to include the Maryland Airport in the WCD as part of the zoning map amendment—a decision that did not sit well with Bowling or Magoon—the audience let loose.
“Shame on you,” shouted one citizen. “You’re environmental maniacs,” he added.
The commission approved five changes ranging from allowing special exemptions for churches and schools but not for surface mining. Other issues included allowing families to add a home for a child with provisions, allowing breweries within the designated area, development projects with bonding be included as part of the grandfathering process, and debated technologically advanced septic systems which limit nitrogen discharge but are more expensive to install and maintain.
The proposed measure will now go forward to the county commissioners for tweaks and another public hearing.
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com