[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6358289,"mediaKeyId","2212668-1bf19e845ed52880a52d21a6da080a2a","parentId",2212668,"title","Planning commission approves AutoZone concept site plan for Charlotte Hall town center","audioSeconds",501,"startMs",6154000,"endMs",6655000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212668-1bf19e845ed52880a52d21a6da080a2a&start=6154&end=6655","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212668-1bf19e845ed52880a52d21a6da080a2a/thumbnail_6154000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6358289/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Planning-commission-approves-AutoZone-concept-site-plan-for-Charlotte-Hall-town-center","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358289-b5bb1a62644481148963caaf5a5133c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139883&Signature=KvlKRbj2BkfA9tpN~BKV4rIQboGVilpGuTUpvRKZHmcEbAmoKLjPbkBd8-SCS54H0VuvmuVYzczzLPgqpUSkUJGcIh~LtDzM9crZ~7AeCQWUCyLy69AvWI6f1F3WEdieUzH6UQBoNywHJs0lCpPRo5wiBeyxOVYNLkeCOgTWQ-F9vkh2xqzB0r09~ydrTLBw46mVy8bHS0iO3k9Y2hmMXBUD8H0iULC6FhbwS~uqkaXDhvaHNiDWBzG6RXvCtKOnPGO5Gh63k3eo2iqKY3i-E9Ah1eGl2zHXkRPT0ID2SZ-wvGIz8AWtyqa2aZSzn2at2jRNCVAb8ad2-r8pfnFcJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Mary's County, MD","date","2025-02-02T19:29:16Z","article","The Planning Commission approved the concept site plan for an AutoZone retail store proposed in the Charlotte Hall Town Center (TMX) zone.

Staff said the project is a permitted use in the TMX zone, is consistent with the comprehensive plan and the zoning ordinance design standards, and will provide additional auto-parts retail and jobs to the Charlotte Hall area. Staff noted that water and sewer service for the site would be provided by private well and septic at the present time, and that final adequate public facilities determinations and engineering studies will be completed before final site plan approval as required by Chapter 70 of the zoning ordinance.

Commissioners asked about surrounding utilities and buffers; staff said appropriate landscaping and buffers along 3 Notch Road and Triangle Drive will be required and that site and building design elements will be coordinated to meet county design objectives. The motion to approve the concept site plan was made by Commissioner Chase, seconded, and carried.

Staff will complete required engineering reviews and make final APF findings administratively before any final site plan approval.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4/13/2009 St. Mary's County Planning Commission","oneSentenceSummary","Commission approved the concept site plan for an AutoZone store in Charlotte Hall (TMX zone), finding the project consistent with the comprehensive plan and design objectives; staff will make final adequate public facilities findings before final site plan approval.","taxTitle","St. Mary's County, Maryland","taxId",51086,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6358294,"Commission approves concept development plan to seek water and sewer amendment but delays detailed concept site plan review",2250,3210000,5460000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212668-1bf19e845ed52880a52d21a6da080a2a&start=3210&end=5460","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212668-1bf19e845ed52880a52d21a6da080a2a/thumbnail_3210000.jpg","/articles/6358294/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Commission-approves-concept-development-plan-to-seek-water-and-sewer-amendment-but-delays-detailed-concept-site-plan-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358294-a75b901369ff5797a0575fa8c1634ab4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139883&Signature=MSdfBr4WDFg8iTIiaN16v6eXBJTtNqiB-MzO4S2fZLjSqYyLm7LvOeifuUzXaXb4WzGtUAm2vBiWeLcGmnqbcQLSnndplS-6cut2ETfKzNxF3P8WETdXyOqL8J2KCPgZkaJqQG9ogWqmvBlgd3zaZxl9rg78k0YNV1vHRmQqFY1yqieDY51OJ-OCEwiDD2JKN-K50AFkvUs~FqXM1Vz6lwYEZXeWSMPMDo80IKh88jjgP6zClCrrkVePeM9m58Rmlb5Y-N3ZVRJ1BxaGrzUcDeWQiRYK4nuK6xZ6m2jh-M0nJLKKUlBN3xk10xUSJjGzCzH7UYvy0PyoDcibc5qdGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning Commission voted to approve a concept development plan for the Willows Road Business Park to allow the applicant to pursue a comprehensive water and sewer plan (CWSP) amendment, while withholding final action on the more detailed concept site plan until additional material—particularly transportation/DPW comments and Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) documentation—is available.

Staff told commissioners the proposal involves commercial office, office-warehouse, and personal storage components on Willows Road in the Office Business Park (OBP) zone and that a portion of the site lies in the APZ-2 overlay zone. Staff found the proposal generally consistent with the comprehensive plan, design objectives, and compatible with nearby Flower of the Forest commercial development. Staff said connection to public water and sewer would require a CWSP amendment and that final adequate public facilities findings would be made administratively prior to final site plan approval.

Commissioners expressed concerns about approving detailed components before the CWSP hearing and wanted TEC and Department of Public Works (DPW) materials—especially traffic/ingress/egress analysis and comments about frontage improvements and right-of-way dedications—attached to the packet. The applicant's engineer said DPW had required a full decel/accel lane and that a traffic impact study and frontage improvements would be addressed at final site plan engineering. Commissioners debated whether to require a 10-foot dedication along the Willows Road frontage for future road widening; staff and county planning suggested dedication requirements should be consistent with historic dedications and DPW standards.

Commissioner Guazzo moved to approve the concept development plan so the CWSP amendment process can proceed; the commission approved that motion. On the separate motion concerning the concept site plan and whether sufficient material existed (particularly transportation/TEC documentation), the commission voted to continue the concept site plan review to a later date (two weeks was proposed; the commission set a date and asked that DPW attend the next meeting). The applicant was advised to proceed at its own risk with CWSP work while the commission awaited additional material.","The commission approved a concept development plan for the Willows Road Business Park to allow the applicant to pursue a comprehensive water and sewer plan amendment, but deferred detailed concept site plan approval pending additional material from Transportation Department/TEC and set a follow-up hearing date.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6358299,"Planning commission approves Lacey family conveyance allowing one additional lot on James Way",616,2654000,3270000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212668-1bf19e845ed52880a52d21a6da080a2a&start=2654&end=3270","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212668-1bf19e845ed52880a52d21a6da080a2a/thumbnail_2654000.jpg","/articles/6358299/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Planning-commission-approves-Lacey-family-conveyance-allowing-one-additional-lot-on-James-Way","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358299-51ff1ca2ed74896fe1c5693095951f79/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139883&Signature=UDJOxkofHg9hDIYRBBk~6eugOZv774m8HWmmtdEpQWh6cu6KZ6pdhdceyZTUSuPchvc~12jzLNcL1H2Ceom963IvNco0Cwr4vxIVUJkdu-LUCLISoM55MJl76O-HJ8pjogCKcxlr2huZxwW~u5HN4TMeWpHmRWYPuXm2lXelDoEDvZzBC6JIPd7d0CZ2ETviDp~rg2i-Cztc-xUS7PIZ7zgR7c9zCvNFX81FIhKs5L-P9j1iuZrgua2wfyhSnAr7WWOVxPzK-CuHlifBnPr69Bw6XpuVPFjs5yPl5ai0YapNEhdQlowgFYGemHkuZVjF4YWLVo5j6le6Pzib23CaoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Mary's County Planning Commission approved a family-conveyance minor subdivision for the Lacey property in Chaptico that creates one additional lot on the private James Way, subject to conditions.

Staff presented the application as a family conveyance under section 30.11.4 of the subdivision ordinance, describing one additional lot proposed on an existing private road. Staff's review found no outstanding technical issues and indicated the additional lot would bring the total to six lots on the private road; county policy requires notification to all users of a private road and recording of agreements. Staff recommended approval conditioned on recorded agreements assuring access, maintenance, and prohibiting resale to third parties for five years except in hardship as determined by the director of Land Use and Growth Management.

The applicant explained the plan: lots 5 and 6 already exist on James Way; the proposal seeks approval of lot 10 under the family conveyance provision. Applicant counsel said maintenance agreements for existing lots exist and would be amended as necessary. Staff noted sight distance, moderate road grades, and that the private road's available travel width averages about 16 feet with a 40-foot right-of-way and gravel surface.

Commissioner Seabert moved to approve the family conveyance subdivision plan subject to the condition that agreements ensuring access, use and maintenance of the private road be recorded prior to plat recordation; the motion was seconded and carried. The chair announced the motion carried and staff will ensure recording of required documents prior to final plat recordation.","The commission approved a family-conveyance minor subdivision in Chaptico (Lacey) that creates one additional lot on a private road, conditioned on recorded access and maintenance agreements and compliance with the subdivision ordinance.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6358303,"Commission backs electronic changeable-copy signs with limits; adds 'shimmering' to prohibited effects",1346,1304000,2650000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212668-1bf19e845ed52880a52d21a6da080a2a&start=1304&end=2650","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212668-1bf19e845ed52880a52d21a6da080a2a/thumbnail_1304000.jpg","/articles/6358303/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Commission-backs-electronic-changeable-copy-signs-with-limits-adds-shimmering-to-prohibited-effects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358303-a84a9b09ff6164243b1e091f641d838a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139883&Signature=RDwlbfIqfVUWaWlBIRbAINI0nTpXnMlPweQYCldGqnJvRzu8gpKtT8~K6lWeE9qTosHmkAE5WY7b6Ty0Jpc8SVmDoFBeGWRBVukUxcemEbrHA9L8HuGIVztPKoIjTXgIYQClC2w2y1tXtyMlO-6buRUcINLd3stpL87apRIKZv8BmzCYZCaCAWS5u32wNxFEXCwZjUqq7OcV8F9afyiqVd1OXUrLBRQLmvbgWACRq0gwWnAwCdhgoxm15k~dhPh6npZOOKVae5p7ouZzpU6qh297UKKjSkVe47d35fXEfgUMncPmJvmpKuhz2-WLHGeH5YKbal95iLXgQJaMpF5Qxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Mary's County Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend a zoning text amendment allowing on-premise electronic changeable-copy signs for businesses in specified districts, subject to conditions intended to limit distraction and protect nearby residences.

Under the commission's recommendation, a single freestanding on-premise electronic changeable-copy sign may be permitted per lot in specified development districts and village centers; the electronic portion must not exceed 50 percent of the allowable sign area for the district. The amendment clarifies that home occupations are regulated separately in the sign section of the zoning ordinance and therefore will be treated under that provision rather than as a general on-premise business allowance.

The commission added specificity to the proposal: animated flashing, full-motion video and other \"intermittent elements\" are not permitted and the commission inserted the word \"shimmering\" into that prohibition to capture visually distracting effects. Commissioners discussed distance from residential boundaries, the intent that an electronic sign generally replace an existing freestanding sign (not create multiple freestanding signs per parcel), and the desire to make the signs affordable for small businesses while preventing large corporations from exploiting loopholes.

Motion language accepted by the commission included adding to Chapter 65 a sentence that home occupations are regulated in the home-occupation sign section, and amending paragraph 65.3.I.6 to add the word \"shimmering\" after the listed prohibitions. The commission also directed staff to add a definition for \"shimmering\" to Chapter 90 (definitions).

The commission authorized the chair to sign the recommendation to the County Commissioners and the proposal will be scheduled for a public hearing before that body.","The planning commission recommended a zoning text amendment to allow one on-premise freestanding electronic changeable-copy sign per business in certain districts, with limits on animation, brightness, and a prohibition (explicit) on 'shimmering'; recommendation moves to County Commissioners.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6358308,"Planning commission approves temporary off-site directional signs for home sales, with conditions",1106,134000,1240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212668-1bf19e845ed52880a52d21a6da080a2a&start=134&end=1240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212668-1bf19e845ed52880a52d21a6da080a2a/thumbnail_134000.jpg","/articles/6358308/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Planning-commission-approves-temporary-off-site-directional-signs-for-home-sales-with-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358308-fa8b816c7051ad9d9af2df6376836024/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139883&Signature=S8vEDiumjBJlW2squObCFOqVAtZVGQ7mW9t0IZMjyBtLBddCTUAFQEolTKJr-CHNkRc7wR1fT4mmrirCO8hBkJ27u-nbipxzFhftJonIqK8vlWZQyxB~5KjBgfO9nPvHqY5Vo9vlsPbpvvheSVx0xZdyeLyyrWNxfLeG1WIquNLeLK5UMAyHsxIdzPQJcGWYwQBEQXy5QIXgZVaCZmFSCTv-OZ3kaiG0FYB2amEJL2NjePxIka7KpUQmHHsL2iJHRQ9ljEdsTgCW-kjg~3N1SSLx~Z6NPbhsxUc66OLs-mE-GvS9r2gZd5Ml3rrRECmoRO03R2P1UBcbH2dZe7W8ow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Mary's County Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a zoning text amendment to allow off-site directional signs for the sale of improved residential property, with several restrictions and a sunset date.

The commission's recommendation would let a listing agent post up to three off-site directional signs within five miles of the listed property, require the sign to include the property's address, and require removal no later than seven days after expiration of the listing agreement or the date of a bona fide contract of sale. Commissioners also substituted the term \"directional signs\" for broader \"advertising,\" added a sunset date for the allowance, and expressed concern about long-term policing and removal of signs left in rights-of-way.

The commission's action followed review of written public comment received during an opened record period; most commentators supported the amendment except for one business owner who opposed it and several commissioners who raised concerns about sign proliferation on state road rights-of-way. Commissioners discussed limiting the sign height, clarifying the definition of who may place the signs (real estate agent/for-sale-by-owner), and ensuring the measure would not unfairly advantage one business sector over others. Several commissioners said they were willing to approve limited, temporary relief given the economic conditions affecting home sales.

A motion to approve the amendment as drafted in the staff report, with substitution of \"directional\" for \"advertising,\" was made by Commissioner McNeil and seconded by Commissioner Siebert. The motion passed; the transcript records two members opposing the recommendation and the chair directed staff to schedule a public hearing before the County Commissioners.

The commission also discussed whether the sunset date could be amended later; county counsel confirmed that the sign ordinance and any sunset date could be revised as part of a comprehensive sign ordinance amendment. The commission noted the need for a future comprehensive review of county sign rules so permanent policy could address broader concerns about sign proliferation and enforcement.

The commission's favorable recommendation and the staff report will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for a public hearing and decision.","St. Mary's County Planning Commission voted to recommend a text amendment allowing real estate directional signs off-site for improved residential property, with a sunset clause and limits on wording and removal timing; the recommendation advances to the County Commissioners for a public hearing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning commission approves AutoZone concept site plan for Charlotte Hall town center

Commission approves concept development plan to seek water and sewer amendment but delays detailed concept site plan review

Planning commission approves Lacey family conveyance allowing one additional lot on James Way

Commission backs electronic changeable-copy signs with limits; adds 'shimmering' to prohibited effects

Planning commission approves temporary off-site directional signs for home sales, with conditions