The population of Queen Anne's County could nearly double to more than 70,000 in the next 20 years, according to the updated comprehensive plan presented to the county commissioners yesterday. 

The revised 1993 plan would keep the average number of homes built each year in Queen Anne's County level over the next two decades, between 400 to 600. 

The commissioners accepted the report without comment but are expected to hold a public hearing in the next three weeks. 

Two years in the making by county planners and a 21-member Citizens Advisory Council, the updated plan recommends that the county market Kent Island as a place for retirees and people who want to build a second home. 

Faith Rossing, head of the county Department of Planning and Zoning's updating effort, said that would reduce the need for new schools and road improvements. 

"The state requires that your growth areas go where your infrastructure exists," she said. "Kent Island is where the existing infrastructure and population base are." 

The plan, which is not legally binding, serves as the county's guide for managing growth over the next 20 years through mechanisms such as zoning ordinances. First created in 1965, the plan is required by state law to be updated every six years. 

The update also directs development into three other designated growth areas -- Grasonville, Queenstown and Centreville. 

If approved, it would: 

Require all development within growth areas to be on public water and sewer. If services are not available, the developer must pay to extend them. 

Upgrade the Kent Narrows-Stevensville-Grasonville Wastewater Treatment Plant to a capacity of 5 million gallons a day over the next 20 years to meet the expected demand of future development. The current capacity is 2 million gallons a day. 

Tie subdivision and site plan approval to the standards of the adequate public facilities ordinance. 

Increase impact fees to make sure developers are paying their fair share for improvements needed to accommodate the new growth. 

Some residents have criticized the plan for "encouraging" development instead of controlling it. 

"There is nothing in the plan that is going to control growth," said Mike Koval, vice president of the Kent Island Defense League. "Instead, they are actually facilitating growth." 

League members said they would be happy if the county limited growth to 400 homes a year. 

However, the league believes at least 3,682 homes are already in the works for Kent Island in the next 10 years. More than 2,300 are divided among three subdivisions alone, Four Seasons along Castle Marina Road, Gibson's Grant along Route 50 and Ellendale on Route 8. 

On Jan. 10, the county Planning Commission recommended that the Board of County Commissioners adopt the plan. The commissioners are expected to announce the date of the public hearing next week. 

Copies of the 2002 Comprehensive Plan are available at county public libraries and at The Liberty Building at 107 N. Liberty St. in Centreville. 
 

mmohsberg@capitalgazette.com 
 

Published January 23, 2002, The Capital, Annapolis, Md.
Copyright © 2002 The Capital, Annapolis, Md.

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