CENTREVILLE -- A proposed zoning ordinance that determines how much growth goes where in Queen Anne's County shouldn't be approved just yet, several residents said at a public hearing this week. 

Instead, they said the county should better inform the public about what the zoning ordinance would do or even table the issue until the new Board of County Commissioners takes over in December. 

"There has been no attempt by the county to hold public information meetings to explain how the proposed draft differs from existing ordinance," said Gene Ransom, a democratic candidate for the District 3 board seat. 

Planning officials, however, noted during the hearing Tuesday night that the document has been available to the public in county offices and libraries since July 5 and that several other public meetings have been held on the ordinance. 

It would require developers to devote part of their new communities to affordable housing, provide landscaping buffers around developments in farming areas and be allowed to develop a higher density of homes in Queenstown. 

The ordinance, if approved, will follow the recommendations of the recently updated Comprehensive Plan, which set guidelines for directing growth in the county. 

The county's planning staff and Planning Commission over the past six months have held eight public work sessions in which it they came up with the proposed changes to the ordinance. The commission also held a public meeting on the proposed changes Aug. 8, then incorporated public comments into a recommendation and presented it to the Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 12. 

Christopher Drummond, attorney for the Planning Commission, said the staff has transformed a confusing ordinance into a "much better written, much better organized" document. 

Not everyone agreed, including Rich Alton, a Queenstown resident who is chairman of the Save Our County citizens group, which formed to fight uncontrolled growth. 

He called the ordinance a "blueprint for the destruction of the county." 

Mr. Alton said the Comprehensive Plan and the proposed zoning ordinance do not provide a mechanism for controlling the rate of growth. He added that the plan's designated growth areas, which are five areas of the county where growth will be directed, are too large. 

Many of the more than 70 residents who attended the meeting also spoke out about the proposed Queenstown Resort Development District, which will pave the way for a planned waterfront conference center and hotel. 

Ryan Showalter, an Easton attorney representing the Town of Queenstown, said its residents believe the district's description is too vague and will allow development to run rampant on the residents and environment. 

"The waterfront is an important asset to the town," he said. "The town does not believe that the proposed text contains sufficient restrictions with respect to the scope, scale and design of the project." 

Several people had only good things to say about the ordinance. 

"I appreciate that the plan requires developers to set aside 10 percent of their projects for affordable housing," said Karen Toliver, an employee with Families First, a county family support center in Grasonville. 

Alan Schmidt, chairman of the Queen Anne's County Farm Bureau, said his group supports the ordinance because it allows farmers to create farmers' markets and bed and breakfasts. 

"In these tough economic times, these are options that may help in the future," he said. 

The record will remain open through Monday. Written testimony can be sent to the Queen Anne's County Board of County Commissioners, 107 N. Liberty St., Centreville, MD 21617.

PROPOSED CHANGES 

Major changes to the proposed Queen Anne's County zoning ordinance include: 

Using a clearer organization. Zoning District descriptions, such as what permitted and conditional uses are allowed, are now in self-contained section about each zoning district rather than spread throughout the document. 

Requiring developers to make at least 10 percent of their residential developments affordable housing or pay Housing and Community Services the equivalent. 

Requiring developers to create a landscaping buffer of varying size around residential communities built in agricultural areas. 

Creating the Queenstown Resort Development District, which will allow for mixed-use commercial and residential projects along the waterfront in the Queenstown Growth Area. 

Creating the Queenstown Master Plan District, which will allow for a higher density of homes -- from 3.5 per acre to 4.4 per acre -- in the Queenstown Growth Area. 

Creating the Airport District, which will allow aeronautical development around the Bay Bridge Airport.
 

Published October 11, 2002, The Capital, Annapolis, Md. 
Copyright © 2002 The The Capital, Annapolis, Md.
 

mmohsberg@capitalgazette.com