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Record of Proceedings

Charles County Planning Commission Meeting - May 18, 2026

County Commissioners & Boards — Monday, May 18, 2026
BodyCharles County, Maryland
SessionCounty Commissioners & Boards
DateMonday, May 18, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:02:01

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

3:09

Okay, welcome to the May eighteenth Charles County Planning Commission meeting, and we will call the meeting to order and let's get uh let's get started.

3:16

So what is the first item, Ashley?

Speaker 2

3:18

The first item on the agenda is called to order, roll call.

3:23

Chair Kevin Wettding.

Speaker 1

3:25

Present.

3:28

Present.

Speaker 2

3:29

Secretary DeWood of Dora Rahman.

Speaker 3

3:33

Present.

Speaker 2

3:34

Samaya Hackett.

Unassigned speaker

3:36

Present.

Speaker 4

3:38

Present.

Speaker 2

3:39

Ryan Sekretarsky.

Speaker 1

3:50

Great.

3:51

Okay, we'll get started.

3:52

So what is the next item?

Speaker 2

3:54

The next item is approval of the agenda.

Speaker 1

3:57

Okay, hopefully everyone is at an opportunity to look over the agenda, and I would entertain a motion to accept the agenda as written.

4:08

Okay, we have a motion.

4:09

Do we have a second?

4:10

We have a second.

4:20

Okay, motion carries the agenda is accepted, and now we're ready to move on to the next item.

Speaker 2

4:25

The next item is approval of the minutes.

4:28

We do not have any minutes for approval this evening.

Unassigned speaker

5:03

So

Speaker 1

5:04

Miss Morrison, you'll have to come down here and okay.

5:13

We're glad you're here.

Speaker 2

5:15

Okay, thank

Unassigned speaker

5:16

you.

Speaker 2

5:19

And the next person we have signed in for a personal appearance is Kaylee Stevenson.

Speaker 1

5:28

Okay.

Speaker 2

5:28

Thank you.

Speaker 1

5:29

We're glad you're here also.

Speaker 2

5:38

The next item on the agenda is public hearing, which is open for public comments.

5:43

And we have agenda item 6A, Hopewell Burial Ground, Historic Landmark Designation presented by Mr.

5:52

Cal Carpenter, Miss Esther Reed, and Mrs.

5:56

Beth Groff.

Unassigned speaker

6:11

Good

Speaker 5

6:11

evening, Planning Commission.

6:12

Good evening.

6:13

My name is Cal Carpenter.

6:14

I'm the historic preservation planner for Charles County Government.

6:17

And joined with me is

Speaker 6

6:20

I'm Esther.

Unassigned speaker

6:22

I'm

Speaker 6

6:22

Esther Doyle Reed.

6:24

I am the Charles County archaeologist.

Speaker 5

6:27

And this evening we're here to present to you the local landmark designation for the Hopewell Burial Ground.

Unassigned speaker

6:38

So

Speaker 5

6:38

a little bit of background information on our landmark designation program.

6:42

We have a local landmark designation program that ensures that any historic building, site, or structure in the county is preserved and protected through local development review.

6:51

This includes any demolition, uh building permits and site development plans.

7:17

The historic preservation commission will review and make a recommendation for designation.

7:22

If the historic preservation commission approves, then it is forwarded to the planning commission for their review.

7:27

And if the planning commission approves, it is then forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for their final approval.

7:33

And once they have their final approval, then the site will become a designated landmark in the county.

Speaker 6

7:41

Hope well burial ground.

7:46

Hopewell Burial Ground is located in the Parklands subdivision in St.

7:52

Charles.

7:53

And if you take a look at the map, it's outlined in red, and it is in an open space within the subdivision.

8:04

It was discovered on June 15th, 2021.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure██████████████████████████26%
Zoning█████████████████17%
Procedural██████████████14%
Historic Preservation█████████9%
Comprehensive Planning█████████9%
Affordable Housing██████6%
Legal Affairs██████6%
Public Engagement█████5%
Transportation Safety████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Charles County Planning Commission Meeting - May 18, 2026

The Charles County Planning Commission met on May 18, 2026, at 4:00 PM to consider several agenda items including a historic landmark designation, an intrafamily transfer restriction release, a request for a one-year extension of a preliminary subdivision plan, and briefings on two upcoming public hearings. The meeting began with roll call, approval of the agenda, and no minutes to approve. No work sessions or unfinished business were on the agenda.

Consent Calendar

  • Call to Order & Roll Call: All members present: Chair Kevin Wettding, Secretary Dawood Abdur Rahman, Samaya Hackett, Ryan Sekretarsky, and Jeffrey Bosser. (Note: Secretary Abdur Rahman recused himself from the Potomac Chase item due to a potential conflict of interest.)
  • Approval of Agenda: Approved unanimously by voice vote.
  • Approval of Minutes: None pending.

Public Hearing: Hopewell Burial Ground Historic Landmark Designation

  • Presentation: Cal Carpenter (Historic Preservation Planner), Esther Reed (County Archaeologist), and Beth Groff presented the request for local landmark designation for Hopewell Burial Ground, a small family cemetery discovered in 2021 within the Parklands subdivision. The burial ground contains six individuals in three rows of two graves. It will be preserved as open space with a historic marker. The designation meets criteria for historical and cultural significance under Charles County Zoning Ordinance Article 31.
  • No public comments registered.
  • Motion: Commissioner Bosser moved to close the public hearing and to forward a recommendation of approval to the Board of County Commissioners. Seconded and passed unanimously.

Discussion Items: Damar Acres Intrafamily Change in Circumstance

  • Staff Presentation: Amy Brackett (Planner) explained that Lot 1 of Damar Acres, zoned General Industrial (IG), originally approved for intrafamily transfer, has a restriction preventing sale to a non-family member. The applicants, Jennifer and Jonathan Kahn, requested release of the restriction due to changed circumstances (retirement, desire to sell). Staff recommended approval.
  • Applicant Testimony: The Kahns stated they are ready to retire and that the restriction had been applied uniquely to their lot. They noted no opposition from other family members.
  • No public comments registered.
  • Motion: Commissioner Bosser moved to approve the request as presented by staff. Seconded and passed unanimously by voice vote.

Discussion Items: Potomac Chase Preliminary Subdivision Plan Extension (Modification from Section 278-25I)

  • Staff Presentation: Hunter Zinn (Planner 1) presented the request for a one-year extension (to August 17, 2027) for the Potomac Chase preliminary subdivision plan, originally approved in 2014. The applicant has not yet recorded 25% of lots; a phase one plat for 46 of 177 lots is under review. Staff found undue hardship due to: 2025 federal government shutdown, additional SHA requirements (Vision Zero), and discovery of a two-acre parcel owned by Prince George's County.
  • Applicant Testimony: Steve Scott (attorney), Matthew Herson (developer), and Matthew Polehouse (civil engineer) detailed delays including the contractor Mulford Construction filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a Prince George's County-owned right-of-way requiring conveyance back to Charles County, and SHA's new Vision Zero initiative requiring intersection changes. They expressed confidence they could meet the extension deadline and would not request another extension.
  • Public Comment: Nancy Schertler (14725 Bank City Road, Newburgh) argued that Mod 104 was intended for property-specific hardships, not processing delays, and that granting this extension would undermine the 12-year plan expiration deadline. She cited the recent denial of a similar request for Piney Branch Estates.
  • Applicant Rebuttal: Steve Scott countered that the ordinance allows relief for extraordinary situations, not just topographical conditions, and that this project differs from Piney Branch because it was acquired after the prior developer’s financial collapse.
  • Motion: Commissioner Bosser moved to approve the extension to August 17, 2027, with a condition that the applicant provide status updates to the Planning Commission in August 2026 and February 2027. Seconded.
  • Vote: Chair Kevin Wettding did not vote. Roll call: Jeffrey Bosser - aye; Dawood Abdur Rahman - recused; Samaya Hackett - aye; Ryan Sekretarsky - aye. (Commissioner Jennard Earl did not state a vote; the motion carried with at least 4 ayes and no opposed.)

Briefings (No Action Taken)

  • Waldorf Station Development Agreement Amendment: Tony Feltz (Assistant Chief of Planning) briefed the Commission on a request to increase the Stage 1 residential cap from 545 to 615 units, allowing up to 70 additional stacked townhouses. The total 798-unit cap remains unchanged. A public hearing is scheduled for June 15, 2026.
  • Zoning Text Amendment ZTA 26-191 – Mixed Use Residential Community in Medium Density Zones: Sue Greer presented a proposal to allow mixed residential types (single-family, duplexes, townhomes, multiplexes, cottages) under common ownership in RM and RH zones within the Development District and Priority Funding Area. The amendment includes affordable housing bonuses. A public hearing is anticipated in July 2026.

Key Outcomes

  • Hopewell Burial Ground: Recommendation for landmark designation approved and forwarded to County Commissioners.
  • Damar Acres: Intrafamily transfer restriction release approved.
  • Potomac Chase: One-year extension granted (to August 17, 2027) with mandatory status updates in August 2026 and February 2027. No further extensions will be considered.
  • Upcoming Meetings: June 1, 2026 – Data center public hearing (starting in auditorium). June 15, 2026 – Public hearing on Waldorf Station amendment. July 20, 2026 – Briefing by Naval Surface Warfare Center. July – Public hearing on ZTA 26-191.
  • New Appointment: Brit Toku appointed to the Planning Commission, expected to join by June 1.
  • Adjournment: Meeting adjourned by unanimous voice vote at approximately 7:30 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, welcome to the May eighteenth Charles County Planning Commission meeting, and we will call the meeting to order and let's get uh let's get started. So what is the first item, Ashley? The first item on the agenda is called to order, roll call. Chair Kevin Wettding. Present. Present. Secretary DeWood of Dora Rahman. Present. Samaya Hackett. Present. Present. Ryan Sekretarsky. Great. Okay, we'll get started. So what is the next item? The next item is approval of the agenda. Okay, hopefully everyone is at an opportunity to look over the agenda, and I would entertain a motion to accept the agenda as written. Okay, we have a motion. Do we have a second? We have a second. Okay, motion carries the agenda is accepted, and now we're ready to move on to the next item. The next item is approval of the minutes. We do not have any minutes for approval this evening. So Miss Morrison, you'll have to come down here and okay. We're glad you're here. Okay, thank you. And the next person we have signed in for a personal appearance is Kaylee Stevenson. Okay. Thank you. We're glad you're here also. The next item on the agenda is public hearing, which is open for public comments. And we have agenda item 6A, Hopewell Burial Ground, Historic Landmark Designation presented by Mr. Cal Carpenter, Miss Esther Reed, and Mrs. Beth Groff. Good evening, Planning Commission. Good evening. My name is Cal Carpenter. I'm the historic preservation planner for Charles County Government. And joined with me is I'm Esther. I'm Esther Doyle Reed. I am the Charles County archaeologist. And this evening we're here to present to you the local landmark designation for the Hopewell Burial Ground. So a little bit of background information on our landmark designation program. We have a local landmark designation program that ensures that any historic building, site, or structure in the county is preserved and protected through local development review.

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