Calvert County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting - February 10, 2026

The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners held their regular meeting on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the Commissioners' Meeting Room at 150 Main Street, Prince Frederick. The meeting included a citation for the Huntingtown High School football team, three proclamations, new business items on the Board of Appeals rules, volunteer fire apparatus grants, and water infrastructure financing, as well as work sessions on the strategic roadway safety plan and multiple zoning text amendments. The board also conducted public comment (none delivered), commissioners' reports, and recessed into executive session. All votes were unanimous unless noted.

Proclamations

• Black History Month: February 2026 was proclaimed as Black History Month, marking the 100th anniversary of Black History recognition. The proclamation was presented to members of the Calvert County NAACP and community leaders.
• National Engineers Week: February 22–28, 2026 was proclaimed as National Engineers Week. The College of Southern Maryland engineering program and students were recognized, noting that CSM's engineering partnership has doubled the number of engineers from the previous year and that the UAS robotics team recently defeated UMBC, Randolph Macon, and University of Delaware.
• National Entrepreneurship Week: February 14–21, 2026 was proclaimed as National Entrepreneurship Week. Huntingtown High School FBLA students spoke about their leadership and competition successes.

New Business

• Proposed Amendments to Board of Appeals Rules of Procedure: Director Jason Brinkley and Deputy Director Tamara Blake Wallace presented updates to the Board of Appeals rules of procedure. Key changes included removing the "clerk" position due to decreased caseload, updating the coordinator's duties, and aligning rules with the new zoning ordinance. A discussion arose about the Board of Appeals' practice of selecting its own attorney, unlike other county boards. Commissioner Grasso expressed concern about procurement procedures and potential savings. The board voted to change the attorney selection process to align with other boards (motion by Commissioner Grasso, seconded, passed unanimously). The remaining rules (except the occupation question) were adopted with a motion to finalize the attorney language later.
• Volunteer Fire, Rescue and EMS Apparatus Grant Agreements: Director Dave McDowell and Division Chief Richardson presented updated master and apparatus grant agreements, the first updates in over 20 years. Key revisions address procurement standards, bonding, service timelines, and electronic signatures. All volunteer department presidents signed the documents. The board unanimously approved the agreements.
• Maryland Water Infrastructure Financing Administration Applications: Deputy Director James Ritter and engineers presented five applications for low-interest loans/grant funding: Windy Hills pump station replacement, Shores of Calvert water distribution replacement ($2.064M), AMI Prince Frederick ($2M), Highlands Low Pressure Sewer ($16.4M), and Chesapeake Heights/Dare's Beach water distribution replacement ($1.5M). The board approved submission. Commissioner Hart noted the Highlands project still requires community input; residents will be informed of final costs before a special tax district vote.

Work Sessions

• Calvert County Strategic Roadway Safety Plan Update: Jessica Catano presented data from the Traffic Safety Council. Over five years (2021–2025), there were 5,010 reported crashes, including 46 fatal and 213 serious injury crashes. The county now uses real-time crash data (updated bi-weekly) to proactively address safety. Emphasis areas include speeding, distracted driving, impairment, occupant protection, and vulnerable road users. The board voted to support staff in updating the plan.

• Proposed Text Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance: Planner Will Hager presented 23 proposed amendments (TA 2601–2624, with TA 2607 withdrawn). Major amendments include:

  • TA 2601 (Forest Conservation): Updates to meet state law (SB 526), requiring 1 acre reforestation per acre removed (0.5 in priority funding areas, 0.25 for multifamily housing with 25+ units). County-proposed flexibilities allow credit for monument trees and individual trees in town centers.
  • TA 2602: Exempts county and Board of Education properties from zoning unless state/federal law requires compliance.
  • TA 2603: Removes "tenant house" as a separate use, folding it into accessory dwelling conditions.
  • TA 2604: Adds waiver for ADU parking if sufficient on-street space exists.
  • TA 2605: Adds "retail accessory" use in I-1 district (up to 25% of net space) to replace lost flex space use.
  • TA 2606: Removes harbor line provisions (county has no authority).
  • TA 2608: Allows home occupation signs (4 sq ft, 6 ft high) without permit; revises electronic message center setback to 200 ft from a dwelling, not property line.
  • TA 2609: Allows sidewalk exemption in industrial districts with written justification.
  • TA 2610: Limits bike rack installation requirements to town centers.
  • TA 2611: Restores zero-foot setback reduction policy for properties under common ownership in certain districts.
  • TA 2612: Removes excessive setbacks for filling stations/auto repair (currently 80–150 ft).
  • TA 2613: Limits 40-ft buffer requirement to solar, data centers, and similar uses.
  • TA 2614: Uses "enclosed space" instead of "gross floor area" to prevent garage conversion circumvention.
  • TA 2615: Removes requirement for manufactured home walls to appear as wood/masonry.
  • TA 2616: Clarifies food trucks cannot be in public right-of-way (exempts events).
  • TA 2617: Replaces "health club" with "personal training services" in personal services definition.
  • TA 2618: Restores 5,000 sq ft limit for office/medical in St. Leonard Village District.
  • TA 2619: Clarifies plat signature requirements.
  • TA 2620: Clarifies Board of Appeals authority for special exceptions and appeals.
  • TA 2621: Exempts agritourism structures under 5,000 sq ft from site plan, requiring only plot plan.
  • TA 2622: Adds 100-ft setback for dispensaries from residential districts.
  • TA 2623: Data center conditions (per BOCC directive): closed-loop cooling, no groundwater for cooling, collect rooftop stormwater for cooling, applicant pays for all public infrastructure, stationary generators must meet EPA Tier 4 final standards. Staff noted the technology is evolving and requested a follow-up work session in two weeks to refine conditions.
  • TA 2624: Allows up to two family conveyance lots per eligible parcel until March 1, 2028 sunset (then one lot). Commissioners requested public outreach about the deadline; a two-year post-adoption timeline was suggested.

  No vote was taken; the board gave direction to staff to return in two weeks for further discussion on data center conditions and any other items.

Public Comments & Testimony

• One individual joined via telephone but did not speak.

Commissioners Reports

• Commissioner Grasso thanked Public Works, Public Safety, and Emergency Management for snow removal efforts and noted Calvert County's roads were far better than neighboring counties. She also memorialized Dr. Raja Howit, the county's first pediatrician.
• Commissioner Hance reported on attending the Taste of Maryland Agriculture, a youth waterfowl hunt (Hunting for Jacob), and a correctional officer retirement.
• Commissioner Hart praised Public Works Director J.R. Cosgrove for snow operations and attended retirements for Lieutenant Bradford and Tim Evans at the detention center. He reminded of the Therapeutic Recreation Duck Race on Feb 28.
• Commissioner Cox requested prayers for the Smack and Suffined families, attended a sportsman's dinner and youth hunt, and reported on a ribbon cutting for Heat Lab wellness center. He noted the recent passing of local icons. He also alerted the public to a state housing bill (Senate Bill 36) that would threaten local control over density.
• Commissioner Ireland reported traveling 3,500 miles across the U.S. and commended CTE students who won medals in skills competitions.

Key Outcomes

• Board of Appeals Attorney Selection: Approved (motion to change selection process to align with other county boards).
• Volunteer Fire/Rescue Apparatus Grant Agreements: Approved.
• Maryland Water Infrastructure Financing Applications: Approved.
• Strategic Roadway Safety Plan Update: Board supported staff in moving forward.
• Zoning Text Amendments: No vote; staff directed to return in two weeks for further discussion on data center conditions and other items as needed.
• Executive Session: The board voted to recess into closed session (5–0) to discuss personnel and business relocation matters.