The Garrett County Board of County Commissioners will hold a series of public hearings on Tuesday, Nov. 17, on proposed amendments covering the Deep Creek Watershed Ordinance, accessory dwelling units, solar and energy storage, non-conformities and transient vacation rental units, according to the meeting agenda posted by Garrett County Government.
The public meeting begins at 4 p.m., and the hearings are scheduled to start at about 4:10 p.m. The agenda notes that session times are approximate. The Community Development, Planning and Land Development Division is presenting the hearing items.
Along with the zoning amendments, the commissioners will take public comment on four fee schedules: the Garrett County Subdivision Ordinance fee schedule, the Deep Creek Watershed Zoning Ordinance fee schedule, the permit fee schedule and the grading permit fee schedule.
Two applications for Agricultural Land Preservation Districts are also up for hearings:
- Richard Garrett, 65.5 acres on Bear Creek Road
- Thelma J. Bever, 161 acres on Zehner Road
The agenda does not describe the details of the proposed amendments. Earlier this year, the Garrett County Planning Commission reviewed amendments to the Deep Creek Watershed Zoning Ordinance at its Aug. 5 meeting and unanimously endorsed them, sending them on to the commissioners, according to the Planning Commission minutes. Staff presented those changes to bring the county into line with recent state legislation.
The version the Planning Commission reviewed in August would allow accessory dwelling units by right in several zoning districts, cap their size at 75% of the primary home and require a fire sprinkler system. Under that draft, an accessory dwelling unit could not be used as a transient vacation rental, and a property used as a vacation rental could not have one. The August draft also would make community solar a permitted use in all zoning districts, raising the size limit from 2 megawatts to 5 megawatts, and would allow front-of-the-meter energy storage with a 100-foot setback and a landscaped buffer.
The meeting will also include a recognition of Brenda’s Pizzeria / Trader’s Coffee House for its 25th anniversary, followed by public commentary at about 4:25 p.m.
The meeting can be watched on the county’s live stream. Written comments can be sent to comments@garrettcountymd.gov. Residents who want to schedule a public issue or concern with the board can contact Carol A. Riley-Alexander, executive assistant to the Board of County Commissioners and County Administrator.
The commissioners’ next public meeting after Nov. 17 is set for Monday, Dec. 7, at 4 p.m. at the Garrett County Courthouse.
