Calvert planning board reviews 20 zoning revisions

The Calvert planning commission reviewed 21 proposed text amendments to the county's zoning laws during a public hearing on June 17, with 20 amendments recommended for adoption by the county commissioners. While a specific amendment for data centers was not included in the main presentation, a revision to landscaping requirements was presented that would apply a new 40-foot buffer requirement to "solar energy generating systems, commercial power generating systems and data centers" when adjacent to residential properties or non-compatible uses.

Planning commission member Christopher J. Gadway recommended deleting the data center reference from this specific amendment, but the revised text was still recommended for adoption on a 6-1 vote, with former planning commission chairman John Toohey voting opposed. Mr. Gadway also opposed revisions to the county's sign regulations, which would make setback requirements for electronic message signs less restrictive, moving from 200 feet from a residential property line to 200 feet from a residential dwelling. Planner Will Hager defended the change as "more sensible," and this amendment passed 6-1 with Gadway opposed.

Additionally, the commission agreed to recommend non-adoption of a proposed clarification for food truck regulations, following a motion by Mr. Gadway. Long range planner Tay Harris presented a draft of the department's annual report for 2025, detailing residential and commercial growth patterns, which excludes data from Chesapeake Beach and North Beach due to their independent planning authorities, as noted by Planning and Zoning Director Jason Brinkley.