[{"_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",6529926,"mediaKeyId","3779362-f29c201c5ee2fcbe96341c1982466fb5","parentId",3779362,"title","Planning commission reviews transportation chapter; DPW matrix for unpaved roads highlighted","audioSeconds",1803,"startMs",161650,"endMs",1965050,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3779362-f29c201c5ee2fcbe96341c1982466fb5&start=161&end=1965","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3779362-f29c201c5ee2fcbe96341c1982466fb5/thumbnail_161650.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6529926/Caroline-County/Maryland/Planning-commission-reviews-transportation-chapter-DPW-matrix-for-unpaved-roads-highlighted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6529926-1f4f1d52f0238f49363641c54b71b46b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151005&Signature=a45mcJFsSYgbU0Zr4j5PEB0kEZalZCIg0MTlMPL61KKSj28nzGWhuvrXQIfGp58cQYfGK3B-iZSsQynmAOR8uXl4NRo~BDBxTYLAuZuJa1ZY565cFY1QqiEwBZNTf4QqM6qQJ7HQHwVw0YequGIJFdZ~Nx5CJgz7mJefddtvywdL24qx9Wdn1ZXpz0g55JUdteY4jK-CZ1TsynjTdkNSz5TwH2Va28V0vV~FHz0dlXoL5hsjW~05znQofluMQIkltKyEB5qhyNv-5Bc-225F~aDMDAYXkp-AStjwYP-nONHY~T9w6OGXfQtrFW4diDfgjBUHOM7OQTQ5SXO6AB7Q5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Caroline","date","2025-06-11T00:00:00Z","article","Caroline County’s Planning and Zoning Commission spent a substantial portion of its June meeting discussing the draft transportation chapter of the county comprehensive plan, focusing on how the Department of Public Works (DPW) prioritizes paving and stormwater work and how the county should account for new traffic and weather stresses.

Commission Chair Jeff Jackson and members reviewed how DPW has developed a scoring matrix for unpaved roads and whether a similar objective process could be used for paved roads. DPW representatives described the unpaved-road matrix as a multi-factor system that weighted distance from the shop, bus routes, emergency-service access, call volumes, proximity to streams and wetlands, and repeat flood/washout risks. \"It was objective. It was very objective,\" a DPW representative said of the unpaved-road scoring exercise.

The commissioners and staff discussed several trends that have changed since the county’s last transportation planning in 2010: larger farm equipment, growth in poultry operations, build-out of previously vacant lots, more home-based businesses with trailers or landscaping trucks, and increased parcel deliveries from carriers such as FedEx and UPS. DPW staff noted the county has added ATOM, a data system used to track assets and incidents, which staff said helps but does not replace needed local judgment.

Commissioners raised questions about whether the paved-road network could be prioritized using the same level of objective scoring used for gravel roads. DPW staff said paved roads are handled with a three-tier classification (primary, secondary, tertiary) that makes a different approach more appropriate; traffic counts and use patterns help identify priority paved roads.

Stormwater and climate impacts were a recurring concern. Commissioners asked staff to add language to the chapter reflecting increased rainfall, coastal flooding, washouts and heat-related degradation of roadbeds and surfaces. School bus routing and turnaround behavior — where buses may not traverse full road lengths and instead turn in private driveways — was cited as a localized but recurring cause of edge deterioration on smaller roads.

The commission discussed implementation: the comprehensive plan remains a 10–15 year policy document meant to guide funding priorities rather than list every specific project. Staff said detailed priority lists or technical appendices could be included but that the body text should stay at a higher level. Commissioners asked staff to designate county-designated primary roads as top priority for maintenance in the draft.

Next steps: staff will incorporate DPW updates and recommended language into a final draft to present to the commission in July; a full draft for state and public review is expected in early 2026, with final adoption possible the following spring or summer.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Caroline - Planning Commission - Jun 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Caroline County’s Planning and Zoning Commission spent a substantial portion of its June meeting discussing the draft transportation chapter of the county comprehensive plan, focusing on how the Department of Public Works prioritizes paving and stormwater work and how the county should account for new traffic and weather stresses.","taxTitle","Caroline County, Maryland","taxId",61674,"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},6529906,"Board of Zoning Appeals approved 2 MW Federalsburg solar project; planning commission to see site plan",55,8658200,8713530,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3779362-f29c201c5ee2fcbe96341c1982466fb5&start=8658&end=8713","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3779362-f29c201c5ee2fcbe96341c1982466fb5/thumbnail_8658200.jpg","/articles/6529906/Caroline-County/Maryland/Board-of-Zoning-Appeals-approved-2-MW-Federalsburg-solar-project-planning-commission-to-see-site-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6529906-b41760d5741ce3ff37cc213fc6ced208/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151005&Signature=FkqNDlAE08TyeNiOpvfHZCTSWngr5oy3mIef7kZxvfoQO5JwuRLe0eyKjGU9EIOUupTa4GJbS9NCasgaCKwtFnK11lMkmq6a3lSAIaCXKYkCVFhbnD7iP-V50cXKaBUOfyklQYUZP0-MDtPkpNR4X2lAbew6ckCa3M-HKO7lfBpZ-vTyRnG9jgBIYKXaa5hOumVQMZspTswuvhv1NgP9Aa1VaSvjY7PAMOZj29Zd42CyKK0A1brsNVr8yErRVcpmDUkJlmVlGxrPwbbknNAzOF2rAJOc2hUKrK2zycbteiEd8gBKajvwQslYQWgtWvV2f075Vzpni91RyUaVKpoVRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff reported that the Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously approved a special‑use exception (number 23‑0044) for a small‑scale commercial solar energy system proposed by Shaberton Solar (Javal, LLC). The permitted project is for a 2‑megawatt installation on a 63.3‑acre parcel on Clark Canning House Road in Federalsburg that will contain a roughly 22.7‑acre solar array.

Staff said the BZA imposed no additional special requirements on the project. Because the project required only the local special‑use process rather than a state Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, the project will next come to the Planning and Zoning Commission for preliminary site‑plan review and subsequent final site‑plan approvals as required.

Staff noted other small solar projects have followed similar paths: some projects that do not exceed state thresholds are reviewed by the BZA and then routed to the planning commission for site plan. Commissioners were told they will see the Shaberton Solar application when the developer submits the site plan for review.

","The Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously approved a special use exception for a 2 MW small‑scale commercial solar array on Clark Canning House Road; Planning and Zoning Commission will review the project’s site plan.",{"_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},6529911,"Planning commission recommends change to proposed county ordinance on non‑accessory wastewater facilities",509,8065570,8574750,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3779362-f29c201c5ee2fcbe96341c1982466fb5&start=8065&end=8574","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3779362-f29c201c5ee2fcbe96341c1982466fb5/thumbnail_8065570.jpg","/articles/6529911/Caroline-County/Maryland/Planning-commission-recommends-change-to-proposed-county-ordinance-on-nonaccessory-wastewater-facilities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6529911-eaa7863a1b95476f1f65a4c1ed4c692b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151005&Signature=fggKHYHcirmsR7I0eouutkT-95766ZnkRd0ubKuIaXxjHyKBPhyTEzqb7YlzZUKtBQQL0pbXMTP-jUgemhSWodiS6bnVa5VqWjfi8ymLDcXdFtgzgsD399JEqh0syc4xzcCDzzJWiQy6u2a7vbaEVbnVXj~6gDr19SWA227BncBFCBLXogq5Kyx5R2eDHFOJVugxzNfngPxa-qfCdyq1C-KCjR9QeKjH0heqemBXEpBMgkhWd5Ah5SnwvDNgYBcAO823G7kU5WvLq5c-5BIa4BAAZr-uenuVDpoi5gt4khAd83MMpDt3bK7BNKYq4l0lhxF33qmeH5lN7NsFzsB~8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Caroline County Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed proposed county legislation (Bill 25‑007) that would permit certain non‑accessory wastewater treatment facilities in rural districts under specific conditions and voted to recommend enactment with one substantive change.

Staff explained the draft ordinance would allow a non‑accessory wastewater treatment facility where the facility’s operation is substantially similar to the prior permitted operation, and where the facility had held an active Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) state discharge permit within the prior three years. Staff and commissioners discussed the three‑year lookback and agreed that, because MDE permitting processes can be lengthy, a five‑year window would be more practical.

Commissioners also reviewed the county’s Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan policy language, which says, in part: \"Shared facilities do not conform to the goals of the comprehensive development plan and will not be approved. A management entity for shared facilities will not be established.\" Planning staff read that policy into the record while explaining that the proposed ordinance is not intended to create shared facilities and requires that the generator and operator of any facility be the same individual or entity.

Motion and vote: A commissioner moved that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommend to the county commissioners the enactment of emergency legislation Bill 25‑007 as drafted, with the commission’s recommendation that the permitting lookback period be increased from three years to five years. The motion passed by voice vote.

Next steps: staff said the bill will move to the county commissioners for their readings and public hearing; the commission’s recommendation will be forwarded for their consideration.

","The commission recommended the county commissioners enact emergency legislation (Bill 25‑007) to permit certain non‑accessory wastewater treatment facilities, and asked that the bill be amended to increase the state‑permit lookback from three to five years.",{"_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},6529916,"Commission approves resource conservation chapter final draft",98,5167040,5265160,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3779362-f29c201c5ee2fcbe96341c1982466fb5&start=5167&end=5265","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3779362-f29c201c5ee2fcbe96341c1982466fb5/thumbnail_5167040.jpg","/articles/6529916/Caroline-County/Maryland/Commission-approves-resource-conservation-chapter-final-draft","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6529916-7bdf5fc1b8b08982c303470cecaa5549/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151005&Signature=GDtg7ANaOxlo538aXFKsBDPcn1oF~cDB6ebcJzuhxysnODrbNsALWpeqTmRtlICfNA2bNCFbeKRy2w-7ofPjvJKEsI92UyRAybiZYPEPrmxkFvNd-oELfJcKUthO0c06YSDxbbiayiRHXRAzTmfZ7DB4pmS83NcETYqCxzTTmDVLYK-fxZfBMVAnIYS1hmUD85nf74~2OLz3QWh57qG9Y6VL~sxedRNS8kMI72yaDiIFjC5olZgA2e6L4Np1kkk5SZ0IP16G-U1unuV0VkZrS9CivmD7JKRE3QAKcdzYwqhOv1q~mihfFQDdFKcZu9t3PMx6LJKVuX-Aoz0fc-urhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Caroline County Planning and Zoning Commission approved the final draft of the resource conservation chapter (referred to in the meeting as the resource confirmation chapter) at its June meeting.

Staff reported that the chapter had received minor edits since the prior meeting and that the text, including a historical note and minor clarifications, is ready as a final draft. A commissioner moved to approve the chapter \"as presented by Mr. Libby,\" and the motion carried by voice vote.

With the approval, staff indicated they will include the resource conservation chapter in the forthcoming full draft of the comprehensive plan and circulate the plan for state and public review as part of the next steps.

","The Planning and Zoning Commission approved the final draft of the resource conservation (resource confirmation) chapter with minimal changes; staff will forward the chapter for inclusion in the full comprehensive plan draft.",{"_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},6529921,"Planning commission approves final draft of mineral resources chapter after debate over local limits on mining",715,4406570,5122530,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3779362-f29c201c5ee2fcbe96341c1982466fb5&start=4406&end=5122","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3779362-f29c201c5ee2fcbe96341c1982466fb5/thumbnail_4406570.jpg","/articles/6529921/Caroline-County/Maryland/Planning-commission-approves-final-draft-of-mineral-resources-chapter-after-debate-over-local-limits-on-mining","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6529921-de92f41e819c20ec0b9edc1f282973e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151005&Signature=V8AvkSY6W11Be8z73BABaQih91vs0x~2TTO4819VMBnXgEGhX5Yt3NKWgydYdFg-HY--zn~qagJxDz9GCm6cTaQ0EwvXIHq1SuA21YLLbqc9ttyZaIFDiU4cUYgwifqMTyzAt-HXUWNUzdD3gA65PZVoKOS~gn9-EgHu7VLW4GuJZuPLGPg0noy-O2wSUr0p35F0KYQ1AqBtwnR5t58Euu2wMhcGUanUxxojtBdLRVVgmC~Y4i1nX959293JYMHrpvZqw8kuNwkIjZXVjkRmGiofcvJrQC6YwyqosrDfjgJLMH2BfBYx7NcHQHzky7Y6Nl3vYVNM4ClflCVpQ~uPdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Caroline County Planning and Zoning Commission voted to approve the final draft of the mineral resources chapter during its June meeting, after commissioners reviewed changes from the previous draft and discussed how much local authority the county has to limit mining activity.

Commissioners and staff noted that the state protects mining uses and warned that local attempts to cap mining acreage could trigger litigation. Staff told the commission that while the county can regulate impacts such as access, hours and truck routes, attempts to broadly bar or cap lawful mineral extraction could prompt a declaratory-judgment challenge and possible involvement by the Attorney General’s office.

Staff explained that the map included with the chapter can be visually misleading: some small permitted mining operations (for example, farm ponds of roughly 5 acres) were depicted by showing the entire parcel rather than the specific permitted acreage. Staff said the 1,500–1,600 figure cited in the draft is based on permitted acreages, not the full parcel areas, and agreed to clarify that point in the chapter.

Commission members also discussed whether the county could pragmatically set acreage limits for mining given mapped deposits in specific parts of the county and several active mining operations. Staff cautioned that large-scale limits would likely draw legal challenges and that the county’s practical controls are focused on surface impacts: traffic, entrance control, hours of operation and reclamation standards.

Motion and vote: A board member moved to approve the final draft of the mineral resources chapter. The motion carried by voice vote; commissioners approved the final draft.

Next steps: staff will incorporate clarifying edits on acreage depiction and the chapter’s language and present a printed final draft at the July meeting.

","The commission approved the mineral resources chapter’s final draft and discussed county limits on surface mining, mapping of permitted acreage, and legal constraints on capping mining operations.","actionData","errors"]

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Planning commission reviews transportation chapter; DPW matrix for unpaved roads highlighted

Board of Zoning Appeals approved 2 MW Federalsburg solar project; planning commission to see site plan

Planning commission recommends change to proposed county ordinance on non‑accessory wastewater facilities

Commission approves resource conservation chapter final draft

Planning commission approves final draft of mineral resources chapter after debate over local limits on mining