St. Mary s County Government Land Use & Growth Management Citizens Academy September 30, 2014 6-9 PM
County Organizational Chart Aging & Human Services Economic Development Finance Human Resources Citizens of St. Mary s County County Commissioners County Administrator Land Use & Growth Management County Attorney Emergency Services & Technology Public Information Office Public Works & Transportation Recreation & Parks 2
Land Use & Growth Management Department of Land Use and Growth Management Phillip J. Shire Director William B. Hunt Deputy Director Jeffrey Jackman Comprehensive Planning Robert Bowles Development Services Yvonne Chaillet Zoning Administration Harry Knight Permits Brian Taylor Inspections & Compliance Shelia Smith Administration Services 3
State Planning Overview Although Maryland is 42 nd in size among the 50 states, it is 19 th in population and ranks 5 th in population density. 4
State Planning Overview As a result, pressure to use Maryland s land for a wide range of uses has been intense. The need to plan for land uses has been troubling State planning officials since the 1930s. 1933 MD General Assembly creates first state planning commission in the country. 5
State Planning Overview The State of Maryland entrusts local jurisdictions with land use planning authority to guide growth and development through the Land Use Article of the Maryland Annotated Code. The Land Use Article delegates planning and land use regulatory authority to all municipalities and (non-charter) counties. 6
Land Use & Growth Management Overview Land use plan preparation and maintenance (updating) Research and analysis Text and exhibits Compliance with statutes Citizen participation 7
Land Use & Growth Management Overview Plan implementation Development Review Zoning compliance Subdivision and site plan approvals Permits and inspections Capital budgeting Advocacy and consistency 8
Supporting Boards and Committees Land Use & Growth Management Overview Supporting Boards and Committees Planning Commission Board of Appeals Historic Preservation Commission Board of Electrical Examiners Building Code Appeals Board Commission on the Environment Plumbing and Fuel Gas Board 9
Comprehensive Planning Jeffrey Jackman Division Manager
Comprehensive Planning Division Staff Jeffrey Jackman Senior Planner Sue Veith Environmental Planner David Chapman Capital Facilities Planner Grace Brady Historic Preservation Planner Kathryn Chaney GIS/Database Specialist Calvin Strozier GIS Operator (VACANT) Addressing Technician Phone: 301-475-4200 ext. 1541 lugm@stmarysmd.com 11
Comprehensive Planning Primary Responsibilities Land use plan preparation and updating Environmental plans and programs Capital facilities Historic preservation Supporting data and mapping Uniform addressing for public safety 12
Comprehensive Planning Land Use Plan Preparation and Updating Assist the planning commission in meeting statutory requirements for preparing and recommending a comprehensive land use plan. Support the county commissioners in the adoption and implementation processes, including zoning maps and regulations. Help facilitate public participation. 13
Pursue grants for environmental research and implementation projects. 14 Comprehensive Planning Environmental Plans and Programs Assist in preparing and recommending a Comprehensive Plan, including provisions that preserve and enhance the natural setting and protect against hazards. Educate the public on state and county efforts to improve the environment. Assist county agencies with complying with and improving local and state environmental programs.
Capital Facilities Ensure adequacy of public facilities for proposed development. Sanitation Water service Roads Schools Emergency services Update plans as needed or mandated. Comprehensive plan Water and sewerage plan Annual growth policy Educational facilities master plan Solid waste plan Emergency facilities plan Parks plan 15 Comprehensive Planning
Historic Preservation Implement the St. Mary s County historic preservation plan. Review proposed development for impacts on historic resources. Provide staff assistance to the Historic Preservation Commission. Promote the County s historic districts program. Pursue grants that help preserve historic resources. Identify and evaluate potential historic resources through field work, documentary research, and interviews. 16 Comprehensive Planning
Comprehensive Planning Supporting Data and Mapping Maintain pertinent land use information in the county s shared database. Ensure compatibility of data from outside sources. Link property data to aerial photographs and computer generated maps. Improve and maintain accuracy of digital maps. Provide presentation graphics, tax maps, zoning maps, sensitive area maps, water/sewer and other maps. Analyze geographic data to support long range planning. 17
Comprehensive Planning Uniform Addressing for Public Safety Assign addresses to existing and planned premises. Maintain E911 public safety standards for road naming, premise numbering, and displaying numbers. Distribute latest information to emergency services, post offices and private delivery services, utility companies, schools, the tax assessor, and others. 18
Development Services Robert Bowles Division Manager
Development Services Division Staff Robert Bowles - Manager, Planner IV, FCQP Hannah Pinkerton - Planner II Jeanine Harrington - Planner I Susan McCauley - Planner I, Facilitator Brandy Glenn - Senior Planning Specialist Ashley Renshaw - Senior Office Specialist 301-475-4200 ext. 1540 lugm@stmarysmd.com 20
Development Services Functions of the Development Services Division One of the most important roles of the Development Services Division is to responsibly protect the natural environment from the impacts of development. 21
Primary Responsibilities Responsible for approval of subdivision and site plan proposals. Lead agency for coordinating development review comments from the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC). Prepare reports for the TEC, Planning Commission, and the Board of County Commissioners. Distribute reports to surveyors, engineers, and citizens. 22 Development Services
Development Services The Process What can I do with my property? Options: 1. Commercial Business 2. Public or Semi-Public Institution 3. Subdivision 4. Other, which could include: rezoning applications, planned unit developments, deeds, boundary surveys, boundary line adjustment and condominium plats Schedule a meeting with us. 23
Development Services Development Review Application 24
Development Services Compliance with the Zoning Ordinance The Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance determines what you can do in each of the various Zones within the County. This Document is online at: www.stmarysmd.com Click on Public Agencies, Land Use & Growth Management, Ordinances, Zoning. Schedule 32.1 on page 32-3 of the Zoning Ordinance For large projects or subdivisions you will need to hire a surveyor or an engineer or both. 25
Development Services Concept Plan Let s start with a Commercial or Public/Semi Public project: Submission of a Concept Site Plan to the Technical Evaluation Committee, along with the application and various other forms. 26
Development Services TEC: Technical Evaluation Committee Distribute projects to all TEC agencies for review. Each Agency is required to review and return their comments by Monday following the TEC Meeting. Comments are then gathered and distributed to the Applicant, Surveyor, and Engineer of that project. The Applicant revises plans per comments and resubmits for final approval. 27
Development Services Technical Evaluation Committee Members Public Works & Transportation Metropolitan Commission Soil Conservation Health Department State Highway Administration Department of Economic Development Addressing Technician (LUGM) Recreation & Parks SMECO Capital Facilities (LUGM) Board of Education Public Works at Pax River (Navy) Washington Gas and Electric Fish, Heritage, & Wildlife Commission on the Environment Permits Coordinator (LUGM) Public Safety If applicable: Environmental Planners (LUGM) Historic Preservation (LUGM) GIS Operator (LUGM) CBCAC (Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Commission) 28
Development Services Next Step: Planning Commission The Planning Commission must find that the project: 1. Is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. 2. May be served by adequate public facilities. 3. Is consistent with the County Annual Growth Policy. 4. Will promote the health, safety and welfare of the general public. 5. Includes recreational and community amenities. 6. Is consistent with design standards. Based upon their findings, the Planning Commission may deny the concept plan, approve the concept plan, or approve the concept plan with conditions. 29
Development Services Next Step: The Planning Commission s action determines the next step. Denial: Requires justification. Options are revisions for compliance or appeal the decision to the Board of Appeals. Approved with conditions: Address the conditions prior to your Final Site Plan approval. Approved: Proceed to the major site plan approval process. 30
Development Services Major Site Plan These are detailed Site Plans that require professional engineering. These Plans are distributed back to the agencies for final review. Once all regulations have been met, final approval is issued. 31
Development Services Major Site Plan 32
Development Services Permit Process Now that you have your Final Site Plan approval, (you should have already made or started your Permit application along with a submission of architectural drawings), you can proceed to complete the Permit Process. The Permit Process will be covered by the Permits Division. 33
Development Services Subdivisions The Subdivision Ordinance regulates and controls the division and conveyance of land in accordance with state law. Subdivision plats must be signed and sealed by a licensed surveyor. There are different types of Subdivisions: Minor- 7 lots or less, farmstead-lots 15 acres in size or larger, or Major-8 or more lots. 34
Development Services Minor Subdivisions TEC reviews Agencies make comments Applicant addresses all comments. Final Approval is given Record Plat is submitted 35
Development Services Major Subdivisions TEC reviews Agencies make comments Applicant addresses all comments. Planning Commission grants preliminary plan approval. 36
Development Services Preliminary Plan Approval The Planning Commission must make the following findings: 1. Proposed development is consistent with the comprehensive plan. 2. Sufficient number of access points provided. 3. Public facilities are adequate. 4. Consistency with the Annual Growth Policy. 5. Access to adjoining land is provided. 6. Stormwater management is adequate. 7. The layout is consistent with design standards. 8. Recreation amenities are provided. 37
Development Services The Record Plat Once approved, a record plat package is submitted for review and approval. The package is sent to the Department of Public Works, Health Department, Metropolitan Commission for signature. Land Use & Growth Management has the final signature. Plats are then recorded in the Office of Land Records at the circuit court building. The plats become documents in the Maryland State Archives. 38
Minor Site Plan Minor site plans are generally done for small commercial projects. These projects are typically under 5,000 square feet, for change of uses, and/or additions. 39 Development Services
Development Services Other Services Boundary Survey-is a procedure by which a professional land surveyor establishes the corners of a parcel of land, with the length and the distances that are indicated in your deed. Boundary Line Adjustment Plat (BLAP)-is a procedure by which a professional land surveyor adjusts property boundaries on parcels of record or lots of record. Confirmatory Plat-is a plat that makes minor corrections to a previously recorded plat that does not involve adjustments of any boundary lines or create new lots. 40
Other Services Forest Conservation-is the retention of existing forest or the creation of new forest at levels set by the state. There is an exemption for disturbances less than 20,000 square feet, any disturbance above that threshold will require a full forest conservation plan performed by a qualified professional. Text Amendment-is a procedure that changes the written provisions of the ordinances contained in the zoning code. Transferrable Development Rights (TDR)-The county s TDR program seeks to preserve landowners asset value by moving the right to build a house from a location where development is prohibited or limited to a location where development is encouraged. 41 Development Services
Zoning Administration Yvonne Chaillet Zoning Administrator
Zoning Administration Staff Yvonne Chaillet Planner IV, Zoning Administrator Kelly Palmer, CFM Planner II, Environmental CarrieAnn Pope, CFM Planner I, Environmental Jackie Green Senior Planning Specialist (VACANT) Senior Office Specialist Phone: 301-475-4200 ext. 1520 lugm@stmarysmd.com 43
Zoning Administration Primary Responsibilities Environmental review Board of Appeals Sign review and approval Home occupation permit review Zoning text amendments 44
Zoning Administration Environmental Review Development in the Chesapeake Bay critical area. Clearing of vegetation in the critical area. Piers and shoreline erosion control measures. Development in a floodplain. 45
Board of Appeals Five (5)-member board appointed by the Commissioners of St. Mary s County. Critical area variances Standard variances Conditional uses Expansions of nonconforming uses and structures Appeal of administrative decisions 46 Zoning Administration
Zoning Administration Sign Review and Approval Commercial message signs require a permit unless exempted by chapter 65 of the zoning ordinance. Exempt signs include construction, farm marketing, political campaign, real estate, parking, and directional. Maximum sign area determined by zoning district and type of sign freestanding, wall, and/or projecting. 47
Zoning Administration Home Occupations A customary, incidental, and subordinate use of a residential dwelling unit May be permitted in an accessory structure Accessory commercial uses Requires a permit 48
Amendments to the floodplain regulations of the ordinance require approval by the Maryland Department of the Environment. 49 Zoning Administration Text Amendments County Commissioners may adopt, amend, or repeal any provision of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance. Require a public hearing before the Commissioners Amendments to the critical area provisions of the ordinance require approval by the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Commission.
Permits Harry Knight Permits Coordinator
Permits Division Staff Harry Knight Permits Coordinator Debbie Lynch Permits Specialist II Sherrie Young Permits Specialist I Kimberly Dale Permits Specialist I Lindsay Halterman Stormwater Management Plans Reviewer Phone: 301-475-4200 ext. 1560 E-mail: BPService@stmarysmd.com 51
Permits Purpose of the Permits Division Permits authorize development (the use of land, the construction and occupancy of buildings and other structures). Permits are processed at the request of a home or property owner, business, non-profit, developer, or construction contractor. Permits are approved when the proposed development conforms to the regulations. 52
Permits Functions of the Permits Division The principal function is to process permit applications. There are more than 40 different types of permit applications to be processed. There are 18 different agencies or divisions thereof that need to be coordinated with depending on the type of permit application. An average of 2,200 applications per year. 53
Permits Functions of the Permits Division Collection of application, review and permit fees for 7 different agencies: Land Use & Growth Management, Public Works & Transportation, Recreation & Parks, Board of Electrical Examiners, Environmental Health, Soil Conservation, and the Metropolitan Commission. Fees are collected into 83 separate accounts. An average of 4.9 million dollars of fees are collected and deposited each year. 54
Permits Functions of the Permits Division Stormwater Management plan review of residential permits. Support Staff to the Board of Electrical Examiners. Weekly, monthly, and annual reports of total fees collected. Consult with public in person at the LUGM office, over the phone, and via e-mail. 55
Inspections & Compliance Brian Taylor Code Coordinator
Inspections & Compliance Division Staff Brian Taylor Code Coordinator Valerie Joshway Inspections Coordinator George Thompson Inspector III Jackie Alvey Inspector II Pat Arnold Inspector II Larry Eberhard Inspector II Phone: 301-475-4200 ext. 1580 lugm@stmarysmd.com 57
Inspections & Compliance Inspections Overview Receive and inspect inquiries for possible violations to St. Mary s County Code and Ordinances. 58
Inspections & Compliance Inspections Overview The primary function of the Inspections and Compliance Division is to verify and gain compliance with all currently adopted St. Mary s County Codes and Ordinances. 59
Inspections & Compliance Inspections Overview Oversee third party agencies that conduct inspections for Building, Plumbing, Electric, Fuel Gas, and Stormwater Management. 60
Inspections & Compliance Inspections Overview Meet with elected officials, staff, contractors, and the public to explain building codes and site development regulations. 61
Inspections & Compliance Daily Inspections Over-lot grading Residential Stormwater Management Critical Area Forest Conservation Floodplain Commercial site final Entrance Minimum Livability Blight Structures and Property State required Balcony Inspection Compliance with the Zoning Ordinance 62
Inspections & Compliance Additional Responsibilities On call to perform Damage Assessment in the cases of manmade or natural disasters and events. Assist in incident management. 63
Inspections & Compliance Remember We re not here to beat you up and take your money, we re here to educate and gain compliance for the health and safety of the citizens of St. Mary s County. 64
Administration Services Shelia Smith Office Manager
Administration Division Staff Shelia Smith - Office Manager Janice Blackistone - Fiscal Specialist IV Jada Stuckert - Senior Administrator Coordinator Marilyn Smith - Senior Office Specialist Terry Kerns - Office Specialist Phone: 301-475-4200 ext. 1540 lugm@stmarysmd.com 66
Provides Support to: Director Deputy Director Development Manager Inspections Manager Permits Manager Planning Manager Zoning Administration Manager Board of Appeals Planning Commission Building Code Appeals Board Electrical Board Plumbing and Fuel Gas Board 67 Administration Services
Duties Answering phones Front counter customer services Scheduling meetings and calendar maintenance Typing and filing correspondence Scanning/archiving applications, site plans, deeds, receipts, and approval documents. Update and maintenance to the land, parcel, and permits databases. Payroll, evaluations, and personnel documents for thirty nine (39) employees. Budget, grant, cash receipts, and purchasing. Reconciliation Reports and Year-End Auditing services for LUGM and the Department of Finance. 68 Administration Services
Administration Services Text Amendment Services Updating the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance with adopted amendments. Mass mailing Commissioners, departments, citizens, and outside agencies all adopted amendments and updated pages due to revisions to the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances. Update and maintain legal motions, ordinances, appeals, and resolutions for the Commissioners, departments, committees, and boards. 69
Our Website www.stmarysmd.com/lugm
Land Use & Growth Management's Website 71
Thank you for your time Land Use & Growth Management: 301-475-4200 x 1540 lugm@stmarysmd.com