OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Calvert County Planning Commission Regular Meeting - August 19, 2026

County Commissioners & BoardsWednesday, August 19, 2026
BodyCalvert County, Maryland
SessionCounty Commissioners & Boards
DateWednesday, August 19, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:40:19

Transcript — Verbatim
3:20

I'm Hannah, and I'm Amy, and welcome back to Live at Linda's at Linda's.

3:42

I'm the division chief for the natural resources division, and I oversee all of the nature parks within the county, which includes the Nature Center.

3:51

In November of twenty twenty-two, there was a devastating fire that started in the basement of this building, and it resulted in having to gut the entire building.

4:10

And so after uh three years, we finally completed those renovations, and we're getting ready to open it up back up to the public.

4:19

Being closed, I've really missed being able to offer the education programs so that people can learn more about the cypress swamp and meet and greet our ambassador animals.

5:05

Review and action, we have none.

5:08

Item number seven, applications for site plan review and action.

5:13

We have none.

5:16

Number eight, major subdivision applications for preliminary review and action.

5:21

We have none.

5:22

Takes us to item number nine, long range planning.

5:26

Kate.

5:28

Yes, we have the Huntington Town Center Master Plan update on Chapter 5.

5:34

And we have Tay Harris and Kat Lockwood presenting.

5:43

After this one, they will be presenting on the Owens Town Center Master Plan Update, Chapter 4.

5:50

Good evening, Commissioners.

5:52

I'm Kat Lockwood, planner two of Long Range.

5:55

I'm Tay Harris, I'm the long-range planner for Department of Planning and Zoning.

6:00

Good evening.

6:01

I am here this evening to talk about the Huntingtown Town Center Master Plan Udate.

6:11

The master plan serves as an implementation tool for the comprehensive plan, which establishes the county's vision and is the guiding policy document for growth over the next 20 to 25 years.

6:25

It includes the town center's visions, goals and objectives, demographics, land use, as well as the other topics shown in the graphic.

6:36

Why update?

6:37

Why update the plan to ensure consistency with the Calvert County Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordance?

6:47

Confirm that each town center vision remains relevant.

6:51

Address emerging issues such as vacant storefronts, safe access to businesses, and traffic conditions.

7:00

Update information on relevant federal and state programs.

7:32

A major renovation and expansion of the Huntingtown Volunteer Fire Department in 1995 that added three new EMS apparatus bays on the north end of the station and included a complete interior renovation featuring updated living quarters, a training room, a radio room, and a banquet hall.

8:00

Zoning for the town center is shown on the map on the left in purple.

8:04

The town center contains 81 parcels totaling approximately 304 acres.

8:11

The town center is predominantly surrounded by the rural neighborhood district, which is in orange, which is intended to allow residential and agricultural uses as well as limited commercial uses to avoid drawing traffic on rural roads.

8:29

There is one adjacent property zoned rural community district in yellow, which is intended to maintain as farms, forests, and residential uses, retain historic and scenic areas, and protect watersheds, fish, and wildlife.

8:47

This district also allows limited commercial uses to avoid drawing traffic on rural roads.

8:55

The town center's subdistricts are shown on the right.

8:58

The mixed use subdistrict, which is in brown, the neighborhood subdistrict, which is in orange, and the residential subdistrict subdistrict, which is in gray, as well as proposed open space, which is green, a village green, which is in green and white stripes, and roads which are in red.

9:19

The mixed use subdistrict allows residential, commercial, agricultural, institutional uses, and limited light industrial uses.

9:32

Subdistricts are more restrictive, primarily allowing residential and some commercial uses.

9:39

State-owned roads include Old Town Road and Hunting Creek Roads.

9:45

The remaining roads are local.

9:48

Septic and well service the town center.

9:55

This slide includes the U.S.

10:00

Census Bureau's census designated place, which is CDP statistics.

10:04

A CDP is an unincorporated area designated by the Census Bureau and is treated like an incorporated area for data analysis.

10:16

The map in the upper right shows Huntingtown CDP boundary, which includes the town center.

10:23

This community has a population of 3,000 and is characterized by high educational attainment, strong homeownership, and high household incomes.

10:36

About 82% of residents have at least a high school diploma.

10:53

The population is primarily middle-age, with 37% of residents between 45 and 64 years old, followed by 28% under age 25.

11:13

The community also has a high commuter base with 62% of residents commuting in an average total time of 45 minutes.

11:29

The map on the left shows that the town center lies in Cocktown Creek, which is in red, Hunting Creek, which is in brown, and Tucker's Creek, which is in purple watersheds.

11:42

The map in the middle shows streams that drain to the east to Cocktown Creek and to the south to Hunting Creek.

11:51

Streams are indicated by blue lines.

11:54

Outside of the town center, riverine wetlands are shown in light blue along stream channels.

12:02

The map on the right indicates that slopes range from 2 to 12 percent in the upland areas and are greater than 12 percent along stream channels.

12:12

The closer together the contour lines, the steeper the slopes.

12:17

Steep sloped areas appear to be dark brown that are along stream channels.

12:27

The town center's impervious surface is shown on the map on the left.

12:32

Impervious surface consists of 14%.

12:36

The town center's tree canopy is shown on the map on the right.

12:40

Tree canopy consists of 64%.

12:44

Impervious surface and tree canopy in the town center, together with data from Cocktown, Hunting Creek, and Tucker's Creek watersheds will be used as indicators for each watershed ecosystem health.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure████████████████████████████28%
Procedural███████████████████████23%
Community Engagement█████████████13%
Youth Programs████████8%
Zoning And Land Use███████7%
Environmental Protection██████6%
Public Safety██████6%
Parks and Recreation█████5%
Transportation Safety██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Calvert County Planning Commission Regular Meeting - August 19, 2026

The Calvert County Planning Commission met on August 19, 2026, to consider long-range planning updates for Huntingtown and Owings town centers, a change of address appeal, a shore erosion control district project, a work session on zoning text amendments, and a proposal for a youth planning commissioner. The meeting included public comment and several unanimous or split votes.

Huntingtown Town Center Master Plan Update

  • Tay Harris and Kat Lockwood presented Chapter 5 of the Huntingtown Town Center Master Plan update. The town center contains 81 parcels on 304 acres. An online survey (July 23–August 25, 2025) drew 398 participants (93% in the Huntingtown zip code). 61% supported rezoning and 39% preferred to remain a town center, but this slide was corrected to indicate the numbers were flipped; corrected data to be posted.
  • Survey respondents valued rural character, basic services, and shopping/dining; top concerns were traffic, overdevelopment, and vacant storefronts. The commission directed staff to initiate the master plan update and hold a kickoff meeting on September 15, 2026, at the Huntingtown Volunteer Firehouse. Vote: Unanimous.

Owings Town Center Master Plan Update

  • Tay Harris presented Chapter 4 for Owings. The town center has 45 parcels on 75 acres; a proposed expansion area of 88 acres (11 parcels) is zoned Employment Center District, which is temporary per the comprehensive plan. An online survey (214 participants, 34% in Owings zip code) found 69% wanted rezoning away from town center designation.
  • Commissioners expressed concerns about expansion allowing up to 4 dwelling units/acre. Staff planned a kickoff meeting September 24, 2026, at Grace Brethren Church, plus a grassroots outreach (flyers, social media). The commission directed staff to initiate the update, with the understanding that if public sentiment confirms rezoning, the process will become a rezoning effort. Vote: Unanimous.

Change of Address Appeal – 2695 German Chapel Road, Prince Frederick

  • Public Safety staff (Stanley Harris, Sierra Newsom) requested to change the address due to non-sequential numbering that could cause 911 routing errors under future geospatial systems. The appellant (Mr. Mister) submitted a written appeal but did not appear. His letter argued the change would cause significant inconvenience.
  • The commission discussed precedent and potential public safety impacts. A motion was made to deny the address change until property transfer. Vote: 4-2 (Ayes: Gadway, Kernan, McQueen, Weems; Nays: Bury, Toohey). Motion carried.

Shore Erosion Control District – Neeld Estate Citizens’ Association Capital Improvement Project

  • Jason Leavitt (Soil Conservation District) presented a proposal for a third headland breakwater and beach restoration at Plum Point. Total cost $791,000, funded via a 20-year 0% DNR loan repaid by a special assessment on 118 residential dwellings ($335.47/year per residence). The project has all permits and was approved by the Board of Public Works on the same day.
  • The commission found the project consistent with the comprehensive plan. Vote: Unanimous.

Zoning Ordinance Work Session – Text Amendments TA #26-25 through #26-30

  • Rachel O'Shea and Will Hager reviewed six proposed amendments: reader board signs (TA #26-25), extension of exception lot sunset date to March 1, 2028 (TA #26-26), relaxed replanting requirements in Limited Development Area (TA #26-27), clarification of home occupation conditions (TA #26-28), removal of outdated agricultural preservation provisions (TA #26-29), and restoration of Dunkirk Town Center setback policy (TA #26-30). No action was taken; discussion was informational. Staff noted a future text amendment to ban data centers may be added.

Items of Interest

  • A letter from Calvert High School student Michael Bowles (class president) expressed concerns about construction noise and safety from a project next to the school, requesting a stop to high-density building. The letter was shared with the commission.
  • Commissioner Weems proposed creating a non-voting Youth Planning Commissioner position for a six-month pilot program starting November/December 2026. The student would review projects and gain experience. No action requested; further legal and logistical details to be presented at a future meeting. The idea was well received.

Public Comments

  • Craig May (Maraj Farms, speaking as an individual) expressed concerns about shifting agricultural preservation regulations to the zoning ordinance, stating that increasing regulations make it difficult for local food and fiber businesses to operate innovatively. He urged the commission to support local production.

Key Outcomes

  • Huntingtown Master Plan update: Initiated unanimously. Kickoff meeting September 15, 2026.
  • Owings Master Plan update: Initiated unanimously. Kickoff meeting September 24, 2026; outreach to property owners to be explored.
  • Address change for 2695 German Chapel Road: Denied until property transfer (4-2 vote).
  • Neeld Estate shore erosion project: Found consistent with comprehensive plan (unanimous).
  • Zoning text amendments: Discussed; public hearings to be scheduled.
  • Youth Planning Commissioner: Proposal under consideration; staff to return with details.
  • Meeting adjourned after public comment.

Meeting Transcript

I'm Hannah, and I'm Amy, and welcome back to Live at Linda's at Linda's. I'm the division chief for the natural resources division, and I oversee all of the nature parks within the county, which includes the Nature Center. In November of twenty twenty-two, there was a devastating fire that started in the basement of this building, and it resulted in having to gut the entire building. And so after uh three years, we finally completed those renovations, and we're getting ready to open it up back up to the public. Being closed, I've really missed being able to offer the education programs so that people can learn more about the cypress swamp and meet and greet our ambassador animals. Review and action, we have none. Item number seven, applications for site plan review and action. We have none. Number eight, major subdivision applications for preliminary review and action. We have none. Takes us to item number nine, long range planning. Kate. Yes, we have the Huntington Town Center Master Plan update on Chapter 5. And we have Tay Harris and Kat Lockwood presenting. After this one, they will be presenting on the Owens Town Center Master Plan Update, Chapter 4. Good evening, Commissioners. I'm Kat Lockwood, planner two of Long Range. I'm Tay Harris, I'm the long-range planner for Department of Planning and Zoning. Good evening. I am here this evening to talk about the Huntingtown Town Center Master Plan Udate. The master plan serves as an implementation tool for the comprehensive plan, which establishes the county's vision and is the guiding policy document for growth over the next 20 to 25 years. It includes the town center's visions, goals and objectives, demographics, land use, as well as the other topics shown in the graphic. Why update? Why update the plan to ensure consistency with the Calvert County Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordance? Confirm that each town center vision remains relevant. Address emerging issues such as vacant storefronts, safe access to businesses, and traffic conditions. Update information on relevant federal and state programs. A major renovation and expansion of the Huntingtown Volunteer Fire Department in 1995 that added three new EMS apparatus bays on the north end of the station and included a complete interior renovation featuring updated living quarters, a training room, a radio room, and a banquet hall. Zoning for the town center is shown on the map on the left in purple. The town center contains 81 parcels totaling approximately 304 acres. The town center is predominantly surrounded by the rural neighborhood district, which is in orange, which is intended to allow residential and agricultural uses as well as limited commercial uses to avoid drawing traffic on rural roads. There is one adjacent property zoned rural community district in yellow, which is intended to maintain as farms, forests, and residential uses, retain historic and scenic areas, and protect watersheds, fish, and wildlife. This district also allows limited commercial uses to avoid drawing traffic on rural roads. The town center's subdistricts are shown on the right. The mixed use subdistrict, which is in brown, the neighborhood subdistrict, which is in orange, and the residential subdistrict subdistrict, which is in gray, as well as proposed open space, which is green, a village green, which is in green and white stripes, and roads which are in red. The mixed use subdistrict allows residential, commercial, agricultural, institutional uses, and limited light industrial uses. Subdistricts are more restrictive, primarily allowing residential and some commercial uses. State-owned roads include Old Town Road and Hunting Creek Roads. The remaining roads are local. Septic and well service the town center. This slide includes the U.S. Census Bureau's census designated place, which is CDP statistics. A CDP is an unincorporated area designated by the Census Bureau and is treated like an incorporated area for data analysis. The map in the upper right shows Huntingtown CDP boundary, which includes the town center. This community has a population of 3,000 and is characterized by high educational attainment, strong homeownership, and high household incomes. About 82% of residents have at least a high school diploma. The population is primarily middle-age, with 37% of residents between 45 and 64 years old, followed by 28% under age 25. The community also has a high commuter base with 62% of residents commuting in an average total time of 45 minutes. The map on the left shows that the town center lies in Cocktown Creek, which is in red, Hunting Creek, which is in brown, and Tucker's Creek, which is in purple watersheds. The map in the middle shows streams that drain to the east to Cocktown Creek and to the south to Hunting Creek.

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