We address the increasing control Annapolis is exercising over local land use issues. The state government recently passed legislation allowing for administrative approvals of certain land use variances within the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays Critical Areas. Consequently, Wicomico County was forced to update the County Code to mirror the state law. Although granting limited administrative variances may streamline what is otherwise a lengthy and cumbersome approval process, these laws did not provide for public notification of requests for certain variances, nor a means to appeal administrative decisions. The good news is that the County Council, in cooperation with the Planning & Zoning Director and County Attorney, successfully amended the county's original draft legislation to require that adjacent landowners be notified and have the right to appeal. Sometimes our county government gets it right. But the State government's ongoing intrusions into local land use decisions is worrisome. Does Annapolis really know (or care) what's best for Wicomico County? Tune in and be informed.
