Cecil County
Home MenuJuly 6, 2010
Board of County Commissioners
Worksession Minutes
July 6, 2010
PRESENT: Commissioners Lockhart, Demmler, Mullin, Tome, and Hodge; County Administrator Al Wein, Public Works Director Scott Flanigan and staff; Planning and Zoning Director Eric Sennstrom and staff; Human Resources Director Donna Nichols; Economic Development Director Vernon Thompson; Budget Manager Craig Whiteford; Council Norman Wilson; Treasurer Pamela Howard; Executive Office Administrator Vicky Rinkerman; members of the press, and members of the public.
OPEN SESSION – 9:00 a.m.
Senior Services and Community Transit update – County Administrator Wein discussed a draft press release relative to the Senior Center and Community Transit Department. The Board concurred to proceed with releasing the information as presented.
Local Purchase of Development Rights Program – Installment Purchase Agreements – Commissioner Mullin stated that he has met with a small committee to discuss installment purchase agreements under the Purchase of Development Rights Program.
Director Sennstrom stated that the Planning & Zoning Department revised the language on the application relative to only offering installment purchase agreements through the Purchase of Development Rights Program.
The Board concurred with the revision to the agreement for the Purchase of Development Rights Program. Motion made by Commissioner Tome, second by Commissioner Demmler, unanimously carried. This is pursuant to Chapter A.2(e)(1) of the Code of Cecil County; specifically A.2(e)(1-4).
Rezoning application reviews – Director Sennstrom reviewed the rezoning application from Elk Point, LLC, which is scheduled for a public hearing this afternoon before the Board. The applicants are requesting changing the zoning on the Maritime Business (MB) portion of the property to Suburban Residential (SR). The Planning Commission and Planning and Zoning staff have recommended approval of the application. A change in the zoning would not require an additional request for critical area growth allocation. The second rezoning request that was on the agenda for this afternoon has been postponed until Tuesday, July 13 at 2:15 p.m.
Transportation Priority Letter update – County Administrator Wein stated that the County received feedback from Delegate Rudolph relative to revising the language in the letter to reflect the redesign and construction of new Route 222/I-95 interchange including a new and upgraded bridge over I-95 as a priority.
The Board concurred to revise the language in the letter as presented.
Commissioner Comments
Commissioner Hodge suggested that the County consider organizing a Transfer of Development Rights committee with stakeholders involved in the process to develop a draft ordinance for the County.
Commissioner Mullin stated that he has met with a small informal group of several stakeholders involved in the process to discuss the County's current plan. They have been working on market values and the financial piece of the transfer of development rights.
Commissioner Hodge stated that he would prefer to organize a larger group of stakeholders to ensure they are directly involved in the process of developing an ordinance.
Director Sennstrom stated that State law mandates the Board appoint an Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Board. The group is charged with advising the Board with respect to the establishment of agricultural districts, approving the purchase of agricultural easements within the County, and setting priorities for agricultural preservation.
The Board concurred to proceed with using the established Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Board relative to the work being done by Commissioner Mullin on the County's Transfer of Development Rights Program.
Local Development Council – The Board concurred to appoint the members in September 2010 before the casino opens.
CLOSED SESSION 9:20 a.m. On motion by Commissioner Tome, second by Commissioner Demmler, the Board convened to closed session pursuant to Maryland Annotated Code State Government 10-508(A) (1) Personnel matters; (3) Consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto; and (7) Consult with counsel to obtain legal advice.
The Board convened in closed session.
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Worksession Minutes
July 6, 2010
PRESENT: Commissioners Lockhart, Demmler, Mullin, Tome, and Hodge; County Administrator Al Wein, Public Works Director Scott Flanigan and staff; Planning and Zoning Director Eric Sennstrom and staff; Human Resources Director Donna Nichols; Economic Development Director Vernon Thompson; Budget Manager Craig Whiteford; Council Norman Wilson; Treasurer Pamela Howard; Executive Office Administrator Vicky Rinkerman; members of the press, and members of the public.
OPEN SESSION – 9:00 a.m.
Senior Services and Community Transit update – County Administrator Wein discussed a draft press release relative to the Senior Center and Community Transit Department. The Board concurred to proceed with releasing the information as presented.
Local Purchase of Development Rights Program – Installment Purchase Agreements – Commissioner Mullin stated that he has met with a small committee to discuss installment purchase agreements under the Purchase of Development Rights Program.
Director Sennstrom stated that the Planning & Zoning Department revised the language on the application relative to only offering installment purchase agreements through the Purchase of Development Rights Program.
The Board concurred with the revision to the agreement for the Purchase of Development Rights Program. Motion made by Commissioner Tome, second by Commissioner Demmler, unanimously carried. This is pursuant to Chapter A.2(e)(1) of the Code of Cecil County; specifically A.2(e)(1-4).
Rezoning application reviews – Director Sennstrom reviewed the rezoning application from Elk Point, LLC, which is scheduled for a public hearing this afternoon before the Board. The applicants are requesting changing the zoning on the Maritime Business (MB) portion of the property to Suburban Residential (SR). The Planning Commission and Planning and Zoning staff have recommended approval of the application. A change in the zoning would not require an additional request for critical area growth allocation. The second rezoning request that was on the agenda for this afternoon has been postponed until Tuesday, July 13 at 2:15 p.m.
Transportation Priority Letter update – County Administrator Wein stated that the County received feedback from Delegate Rudolph relative to revising the language in the letter to reflect the redesign and construction of new Route 222/I-95 interchange including a new and upgraded bridge over I-95 as a priority.
The Board concurred to revise the language in the letter as presented.
Commissioner Comments
Commissioner Hodge suggested that the County consider organizing a Transfer of Development Rights committee with stakeholders involved in the process to develop a draft ordinance for the County.
Commissioner Mullin stated that he has met with a small informal group of several stakeholders involved in the process to discuss the County's current plan. They have been working on market values and the financial piece of the transfer of development rights.
Commissioner Hodge stated that he would prefer to organize a larger group of stakeholders to ensure they are directly involved in the process of developing an ordinance.
Director Sennstrom stated that State law mandates the Board appoint an Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Board. The group is charged with advising the Board with respect to the establishment of agricultural districts, approving the purchase of agricultural easements within the County, and setting priorities for agricultural preservation.
The Board concurred to proceed with using the established Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Board relative to the work being done by Commissioner Mullin on the County's Transfer of Development Rights Program.
Local Development Council – The Board concurred to appoint the members in September 2010 before the casino opens.
CLOSED SESSION 9:20 a.m. On motion by Commissioner Tome, second by Commissioner Demmler, the Board convened to closed session pursuant to Maryland Annotated Code State Government 10-508(A) (1) Personnel matters; (3) Consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto; and (7) Consult with counsel to obtain legal advice.
The Board convened in closed session.
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