Queen Anne's County adopted its first comprehensive plan in 1964. Subsequent plans were adopted in 1987 and 1993. The county Planning Commission voted Jan. 10 to recommend the commissioners adopt the 2002 draft plan, which will serve as a guiding document for updating the county's zoning ordinance. The project to update the plan resulted from a three-year process involving the planning staff, planning commission, consultants and technical and citizens advisory committees.

"We're working our way toward a pretty good plan. ... I still think we got further to go," said Centreville resident Ed Nielsen.

The plan gives two scenarios for the rate of residential development over the next 20 years: one based on 400 new homes per year and one based on 600 homes per year. Nielsen said the number of homes in the county increased from about 14,000 in 1990 to 18,000 in 2000; if 600 homes a year are built over the next years, the number of homes would increase by 33 percent to 24,000. 

"I don't think the county can handle that," said Nielsen.

The 2002 draft plan is a "radical departure" from the 1993 plan, said Jack Broderick, president of the Kent Island Civic Confederation. He said members of the community groups represented by the confederation felt the 1987 and 1993 plans allowed carefully managed growth. Broderick said zoning designations were changed and housing densities were increased, which undermined the goals of "protecting and preserving" the quality of life on Kent Island. 

"To me, a 180-degree change in direction is not fine tuning," said Broderick.

The draft plan is compiled in two volumes and an appendix and includes more than 200 pages of text and maps and charts. The state requires the counties to adopt a comprehensive plan.

According to the Queen Anne's 2002 draft plan, Article 66B of the Annotated Code of Maryland sets the standards for all jurisdictions that choose to exercise planning and zoning authority. In 1992, Maryland adopted the Economic Growth, Resource Protection and Planning Act (the 1992 Planning Act) as an amendment to Article 66B. The Planning Act mandated that all local governments adopt plans and implement strategies that achieve seven general "visions" by July 1997.

"In short, the Planning Act requires local governments to reduce sprawl development, concentrate growth in and around existing developed areas, promote economic development and protect sensitive natural resources," reads the plan (volume 1, page 6).

The county has six designated growth areas: Stevensville, Chester, Kent Narrows, Grasonville, Queenstown and Centreville.

At the hearing, Bay City resident Fitzhugh Turner said the growth areas seem to be "one solid line" along U.S. Route 50/U.S.Route 301 from Stevensville to Queenstown. Turner said the plan calls for expanding the county's sewage treatment plant from 2 million gallons per day capacity to 5 million gpd over 20 years. He said if the growth areas are maximized, current residents in Kent Island Estates that need public sewer service might not be able to get the sewers.

Turner was also concerned about a provision in the plan that calls for "streamlining" the regulatory process. Former Queen Anne's Planning Commission Chairman Dr. James Foor said that provision - one of the "visions" listed in the 1992 Planning Act - was mandated by the state. It is not meant to subvert the planning process by slipping in more density than allowed, he said. Foor said the draft plan is a good one.

Several Kent Island residents said the county should put caps in place to limit the number of building permits issued each year and put a limit on the amount of sewer and water allocation approved each year. "I think this is a potential plan for disaster," said Winn Krozack.

Mike Koval said the county should use the 1993 plan and do more work on the 2002 plan. 

"The 1993 plan has not been well executed," said Chester resident Rick Moser, president of the Kent Island Defense League.

Increased traffic was a concern voiced by several people. Kent Island resident Tom Oyster said a service road is badly needed south of Route 50 that crosses Cox Creek and connects Thompson Creek and Cox Neck roads. Bill Jones said increased development would result in severe traffic congestion at some intersections - a D level of service, under standards used by the Federal Highway Administration.

"The national standard for rural roads is B, or C at worst," said Jones.

Commissioner George O'Donnell said written comments on the 2002 draft comprehensive plan will be accepted until March 11. 

©The Star Democrat 2002