KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND
PLANNING AND ZONING

The 1996 Kent County Comprehensive Plan directs the Planning Commission to monitor implementation of strategies and to highlight progress toward achieving the goals and objectives of the Plan.  This brief outline serves as an annual review of progress in meeting the goals as identified by the Planning Commission but is not an exhaustive survey or review of all state and county agency=s activities that may implement the Comprehensive Plan. It is arranged categorically to reflect the nine sections of the Comprehensive Plan and reflects only activity that occurs within the unincorporated portions of Kent County.  For additional information on projects, please see the Planning Commission Annual Report or contact the agency responsible for the program.

 Economy 

 Goal - Expand and provide more diversity in the size, number, and types of business in the County

 ˜                   The County approved site plans for the following business project:

- Alger Oil, Inc.: Proposal to construct a 4000 square foot office building with attached   4000 square foot warehouse area and fuel and propane storage on their 3.417 acre property on Commerce Lane, near Worton.

- Craig W. Austin: Proposal to convert an existing dwelling into a business, Dependable Eye Care.  The business will disperse eye care and hearing aid products, as well as offer both eye care and hearing aid services. The property is on Washington Avenue, near Chestertown.

- Joseph F. Cupani: Proposal to use existing dwelling on Washington Avenue as an accounting office

- Raymond and Melissa Jordan: Proposal for a cottage industry on their 7.88 acre parcel on Edesville Road.

- Robert Lewis and Patricia Pickett: Proposal for an art gallery and studio in an existing building on MD. Route 20.

- Worton Project, Lot 2, KRM Development Corporation: Proposal for a 27,000 square foot flex space building on Commerce Lane, near Worton.

˜                   The Economic Development Office initiated a business breakfast series to meet with owners of existing business to discuss their needs.

˜                   Identified two sites for future industrial parks - Worton and Lamotte.  Conceptual subdivision design completed for the Worton Business Park.

˜                   Revised the industrial site design standards as a part of the 2003 adoption of the Kent County Land Use Ordinance. 

˜                   Approved use permits for home-based and cottage industries. 

Goal: Develop an educated work force with the skills and training required to serve current and future Kent County Employers

˜                   Kent County played an active role in the development of the Marine Trade School in Rock Hall.

Goal: Develop diverse retail opportunities that provide wide availability of goods and services with competitive selections and prices

˜                   While most retail business is within the incorporated portions of the County, the Planning Commission approved the following site plans for retail business in the unincorporated portions of Kent County:

 - Craig W. Austin: Proposal to convert an existing dwelling into a business, Dependable Eye Care.  The business will disperse eye care and hearing aid products, as well as offer both eye care and hearing aid services. The property is on Washington Avenue, near Chestertown.

- Food Lion: Proposal for a 28,657 square foot grocery store on Maryland Route 291, near Millington.

- Robert Lewis and Patricia  Pickett: Proposal for an art gallery and studio in an existing building on MD. Route 20.

Goal: Maintain and Strengthen Natural Resource-based Industries

˜                   Adopted updated right to farm law

˜                   Actively participates in Chesapeake Fields Initiative

˜                   Added additional opportunities for farm-based business in the Land Use Ordinance.

Goal: Enhance and expand locally based tourism that is rooted in the unique natural, cultural, and historic features and qualities of Kent County

˜                   Stories of the Chesapeake Heritage Area received conditional certification and logo developed and adopted.

˜                   Kent County sites included in the Civil War Trail including installation of markers

˜                   Promoted the County through attendance at travel shows, brochures, mailings, magazine articles and advertisements

˜                   Scenic Byway gateway signs and interpretative plan grants awarded to Chesapeake Country National Scenic Byway.

˜                   Participated in the promotion of the Great Delmarva Bicycle Trail

˜                   Developed a farm and country tour brochure

˜                   Generated 26 million in tourism dollars to local Kent County businesses

˜                   Acted as liaison between Rock Hall and the Smithsonian to assure Rock Hall=s presence at the Smithsonian Folk Life Festival in late June.

˜                   Hosted the Maryland Welcome Center conference

Towns and Villages

Goal: Insure that towns and villages are attractive places to live and work

˜                   The number of lots created and new dwellings built in the unincorporated portions of the County continued on an upward trend.  In 2004, 91% of the new lots created and 71% of new dwellings were in villages, neighborhood development areas, or older subdivisions.

˜                   The County continues to focus investment within the unincorporated communities through the rehabilitation of houses and improvements to water and sewer service.

˜                   The Land Use Ordinance includes a series of design standards intended to guide future development in a manner which reflects and enhances existing community character.

Goal: Coordinate Planning with the Towns and Villages

˜                   All projects within one mile of an incorporated town are sent to the town for review and comment.

˜                   Held the annual Planning COG meeting - a joint meeting of the County and Town Planning Commissions and Board of Appeals.

˜                   Subcommittee of the Kent County Planning Commission attended the Rock Hall and Betterton Planning Commission meetings to discuss growth in and around the towns.   Scheduled meetings with Galena, Chestertown and Millington for early 2005

Countryside

Goal: Maintain Agricultural Land and Forest

˜                   Kent County has a certified agricultural preservation program. The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation purchased two new easements in 2004 for a total of 259 acres.  The County approved seven new districts on a total of 1421 acres.

˜                   Participated in the joint Maryland application for funding under the Federal Farmland and Ranchland Protection Program.

˜                   Participated in the Agricultural Security Corridor Rural Legacy Application which resulted in $850,000 for preservation easements in the 5 participating counties.

˜                   The Agricultural Advisory Committee maintains a map of lands essential to the continuation of agriculture in Kent County.  Easements and other preservation activities are targeted to these areas.

˜                   The Land Use Ordinance includes an Agricultural Zoning District  (AZD) that encourages the use of those lands for agricultural purposes and limits the use of the lands for non-agricultural areas.

˜                   The Land Use Ordinance includes a Resource Conservation District that is intended to conserve, protect, and enhance the ecological values of the Critical Area, its biological productivity, and its diversity.

˜                   The Land Use Ordinance includes a Rural Character District.

˜                   In 2002, the County reviewed a Transfer of Development Rights Program and decided that this program was not appropriate at this time.

Environment

Goal: Encourage stewardship of the Chesapeake Bay, its tributaries, and their watersheds

˜                   Received a Gold Award for protection of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries from the Chesapeake Bay Program. 

˜                   With  Queen Anne=s County received a grant to develop the Upper Chester River Watershed Restoration Action Strategy.

˜                   Continued implementation of the Middle Chester Watershed Restoration Action Strategy through outreach at the building permit stage and in partnership with the Chester River Association received the Radcliffe Creek Water Quality Grant

˜                   Actively participated in the creation and organization of the Sassafras River Association.

˜                   Continued work on the Urieville Lake Restoration Project

Goal: Protect groundwater resources in the County

˜                   Sponsored a septic forum in partnership with the Upper Eastern Shore Tributary Strategy Team and the Chester River Association.

Goal: Protect plant and wildlife resources within the county; Conserve existing woodlands, encourage reforestation, and promote proper forest management practices

˜                   Maintained the environmental standards in the Land Use Ordinance

˜                   Participated in the Blackbird - Millington Corridor Project

Air Quality

˜                   Prepared and began implementing the Early Action Compact in cooperation with Queen Anne=s County and the Maryland Department of the Environment.

Goal: Limit Development in areas with constraints in order to minimize loss of life and structures and impacts to the environment

˜                   Adopted amendments to the Land Use Ordinance which strengthen the implementation of the buffer and critical area requirements.  These amendments included increased penalties for violations and a tougher standard for approval of variances

˜                   Continued strict enforcement of the floodplain, steep slope, shoreline cliff, and buffer sections of the Land Use Ordinance.

˜                   Manned a table at the Isabel Recovery Center in Rock Hall to assist homeowners with establishing the cost of damage and rebuilding in order to document damage claims.  Homeowners who sustained substantial damaged were faced with  coming into compliance with floodplain regulations by elevating the first floor of dwellings to a height one foot above the flood elevation level.  Homeowners with flood insurance were eligible for Increased Cost of Compliance funding through the National Flood Insurance Program.  Staff documented substantial damage to 37 homes (13 in the County and 24 in Rock Hall).

˜                   Received two hazard mitigation grants - tank anchoring and house elevation

˜                   Completed the Hazard Mitigation Plan

Housing

Goal: Provide a wide range of housing opportunities to meet the needs of Kent County residents

˜                   Included provisions for accessory dwelling units in the Land Use Ordinance

˜                   Rehabilitated 12 houses under the County=s Housing Improvement Program

˜                   Included provisions for assisted living in the Land Use Ordinance

˜                   Waived fees for the ARebuilding Together@ projects

˜                   Attended the Governor=s Housing Conference

Transportation

Goal: Develop a safe, convenient, accessible, and efficient transportation system that preserves the county=s historic, scenic, agricultural, and natural resources

˜                   Participated in discussions concerning the regional transportation system

˜                   Required traffic studies on major projects

˜                   Continued participation in the Chesapeake Country America=s Byways efforts

˜                   Continued participation in the Rt. 301/ The Eastern Shoreway efforts

˜                   Continued opposition to a Northern Bay Bridge

˜                   Met with representatives of the State Highway Administration and Queen Anne=s County concerning the Chestertown Bypass.

Community Facilities

Goal: Protect drinking water quality and insure proper wastewater treatment within the county

˜                   Began the update of the County Water and Sewer Plan

˜                   Conducted studies on several of the county=s systems to assure adequate provision of water and sewer

˜                   In cooperation with the Town of Millington, began an upgrade and expansion of the sewer system and the provision of public water.

Goal: Promote Recycling and responsible waste management

˜                   Continued the popular curbside recycling program

˜                   Participated in the Mid Shore regional household hazardous waste events which included electronic recycling and mercury thermometer collection.

˜                   Continued the boat shrink wrap recycling program.

Historic and Cultural Preservation

Goal: Preserve the cultural, historical, and archeological resources of Kent County

˜                   Assisted with three nominations for the Chesapeake Bay Gateway Network Designation - Turners Creek and the Kent Museum were approved

˜                   Stories of the Chesapeake Heritage Area certified with conditions

˜                   Participated in the scenic assessment of the Stories of the Chesapeake Heritage Area conducted as a part of a Bartus Trew Grant

˜                   Participated in the Bartus Trew Grant for a gateway study

˜                   Investigated opportunities to preserve the grannery at Turner=s Creek

Implementing the Plan

Goal: Develop a strategy to expand and diversify the County=s economy

˜                   The Economic Development Office and Board have completed an Economic Development Plan

˜                   Adopted several measures to streamline the development review process - minor site plan review, administrative variances, administrative special exceptions, and standard stormwater plans in addition to the existing administrative review of minor subdivisions and adjustment of lot lines.

Goal: Comprehensive review of Zoning Ordinance and Maps

˜                   Adopted Kent County Land Use Ordinance and maps following a comprehensive review of zoning, critical areas, forest conservation, sediment control, stormwater management, and floodplain regulations

Goal: Transfer of Development Rights Program

˜                   Reviewed and proposed a Transfer of Development Rights program in conjunction with the Land Use Ordinance.  Determined that the timing was not right to begin a program and the program was not adopted.

Goal: Options for a Purchase of Development Rights Program

˜                   Earmarked funds to assure that the County agricultural preservation program remains a certified

Goal: Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan

˜                   Review of Water and Sewer Plan underway

Goal: Capital Improvement Program

˜                   All capital projects reviewed for consistency with the Comprehensive Plan

Goal: Review development process

˜                   Adopted several measures to streamline the development review process - minor site plan review, administrative variances, administrative special exceptions, and standard stormwater plans in addition to the existing administrative review of minor subdivisions and adjustment of lot lines.

Goal: Develop intergovernmental coordination strategies

˜                   All projects within one mile of an incorporated town are sent to the town for review and comment.

˜                   Held the annual Planning COG meeting - a joint meeting of the County and Town Planning Commissions and Board of Appeals.

˜                   Subcommittee of the Kent County Planning Commission attended the Rock Hall and Betterton Planning Commission meetings to discuss growth in and around the towns.