Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.
The Charles County Planning Commission held its regular meeting on April 20, 2026, addressing several major items including a zoning text amendment on encroachment enforcement, two subdivision/development approvals, the scheduling of two public hearings for future meetings, and a reconsideration request related to a previous decision. The meeting began with roll call (all six members present), approval of the agenda (with a disclosure by a commissioner regarding involvement in the Brian’s Row community), and approval of the March 23, 2026 meeting minutes.
Staff (Jason Groth, Sarah Guy, and Associate County Attorney Mark Potter) presented revisions based on prior commission concerns, including a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), a cap on fines (three times incurred cost), benchmarks, prioritization of health and safety, and an equitable approach. Discussion centered on the recourse for landowners, the role of the Sheriff’s Office, the number of current cases (70), and equity for low‑resource residents. A public hearing was held; the commission voted 4‑1 to keep the record open for 30 days (closing May 21, 2026 at 4:30 PM) and then proceed to a work session.
Staff recommended approval of 50 townhouse lots on 10 acres (RM zoning, using TDRs) with four conditions. The applicant (Tim Lesnar of Lorenzi Dodds and Gunnell) detailed the project, noting 62% open space, a right‑in/right‑out only access on MD Route 5, and a bus stop on the highway. No public speakers. After staff questions, the commission voted 4‑1 to approve the preliminary subdivision plan subject to the four conditions.
Staff (Heather Kelly) presented findings that the proposed expansion of a convenience store (from 3,200 to 4,814 sq ft, 18 to 20 fueling stations, plus car wash) would require mitigation at the intersection of Mattawoman Beantown Road and Leonardtown Road due to a failing level of service. Applicant Mark Mudd (on behalf of the Wills Group) and engineer Katie Wagner explained mitigation: a new right‑turn lane along the site frontage and removal of the channelized island, coordinated with SHA. Staff recommended approval with three conditions. The commission voted 4‑1 to adopt the adequate public facilities findings and approve the mitigation.
Staff (Devin Parker and Tony Feltz) proposed aligning the land use map with zoning after a partial rezoning in 2024 left 351 acres with a mismatch (old Employment & Industrial Park designation). The amendment would revert those acres to Watershed Conservation District. No immediate development impact. The commission voted unanimously (6‑0) to schedule a public hearing for May 4, 2026.
Staff (Tony Feltz) proposed clarifying inconsistencies in the code, allowing large‑scale retail in the Acton Urban Center zone (AUC) without a two‑story requirement, and reducing parking minimums by 20% for all retail uses. A public hearing was scheduled for May 4, 2026 (unanimous vote).
A request to reconsider the March 23, 2026 decision on a time extension was brought before the commission. After procedural debate, a motion to accept reconsideration required a supermajority (5 of 6 members). The vote was 4‑2 in favor (Kevin Wedding, Jeffrey Bosser, Dawood Abdur Rahman, Denard Earle in favor; Samaya Hackett, Ryan Sekretarsky opposed). The motion failed as it did not reach the five‑vote threshold, so the reconsideration request was denied.
Okay, welcome to the April 20th, 2026 Charles County Planning Commission meeting, and we will get started. So I will turn it over to Ashley. Ashley, what's first? Yep. The first item on the agenda is to take a roll call of the members present. When I state your name, please answer by stating present. Kevin Wedding. Present. Jeffrey Bosser. Present. Dawood Abdur Rahman. Oh, hold on. He was on and he helped out. Okay. Um Mr. Abdur Rahman, we're taking a roll call. Um, so can you state present when I um state your name? Dawood Abdur Rahman. Present. Samaya Hackett. Present. Denard Earle. Present. Ryan Sekretarsky. Present. Okay, that concludes the roll call. Looks like we're all here, so we'll go on to the next item. So Ashley, what is next? The next item on the agenda is approval of the agenda. Okay, so hopefully everyone has had an opportunity. Look over the agenda, and I would entertain a motion to accept the agenda as written. Ms. Chairman, I'll make a motion to accept the agenda as written. We have a motion. We have a second. Second. We have a second. Any discussion? Um I have one comment. I just want to disclose that um, as many people know, I'm very active in the Brian's Row community, and there's an agenda item. Uh it's not a for public hearing or comment, but it's a briefing uh about the Maryland Airport. Um, I did reach out to um the uh commission chair. It was last minute, but to the commission chair and counsel and and um offering that I want to disclose my involvement in the community, but because this is not an action item um like other projects. Um I'm just requesting that I can um stay in the discussion and not have to recuse myself if that's okay with the uh rest of the um commissioners. Absolutely. Everybody okay with that?