Growth allocation is a mechanism allowed under the state's Critical Area law which allows more intensive development in the Critical Area, which is the area within 1,000 feet of the tidal waters of the Bay.

Commissioner George O'Donnell said the ordinance would make the county's format for reviewing growth allocation petitions more in line with the procedures used by the state. A hearing on ordinance no. 02-01 will be scheduled.

The current format used by the county was questioned by John C. North II, chairman of the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Commission, in a Dec. 20, 2000 letter to O'Donnell. North's letter came two weeks after the state Critical Area Commission approved the proposed growth allocation petition for the Four Seasons at Kent Island project, the planned residential development of about 1,350 homes north of U.S. Route 50 near Castle Marina Road.

North's letter said members of the state Critical Area Commission were concerned that the process used by Queen Anne's County required the state panel to take action on a large development project before the county commissioners had decided to approve it.

Under ordinance no. 02-01, the procedure used by Queen Anne's County to review growth allocation petitions would be changed somewhat. The petition would still be reviewed by the county Planning Commission, which would hold a public hearing and then send a report and recommendation to the county commissioners.

The commissioners would then hold a public hearing and either vote to conditionally approve or reject the proposed growth allocation petition. If conditional approval is given by the county commissioners, the proposed growth allocation petition would be sent to the state Critical Area Commission. If the state panel grants condition approval, the county commissioners would be required to take final legislative action on the proposed growth allocation petition. 

©The Star Democrat 2002