Formerly located at Cambridge-Dorchester Regional Airport, 5263 Bucktown Road, Cambridge, the Department of Economic Development moved to 104 Tech Park Drive, Cambridge, in February 2017.
The Department also administers and manages the following planning and land preservation programs: County Comprehensive Plan; the Agricultural Land Preservation Program; Rural Legacy Programs; Census Data Distribution; and Geographic Information Systems.
Matters relating to planning and zoning are governed by both State and County laws. The Maryland Forest Conservation Act, for example, requires all county governments to adopt local forest conservation programs (Chapter 255, Acts of 1991; Code Natural Resources Article, secs. 5-1601 through 5-1613).
The five members of the Board are appointed to five-year terms by the County Council (Code Agriculture Article, sec. 2-504.1; County Code, secs. 80-1 through 80-3).
AGRICULTURAL RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE
Appointed to three-year terms by the Board of County Commissioners, the Committee consists of five members (County Code, secs. 127-1 through 127-9).
PLANNING COMMISSION
The Planning Commission consists of seven members appointed to five-year terms by the County Council (Code Land Use Article, secs. 2-101 through 3-304; County Code, secs. 155-14 through 155-17).7).
SEAFOOD RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE
Five members constitute the Committee. They are appointed to 3-year terms by the County Council (County Code, secs. 126-1 through 126-9).
SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
The Soil Conservation District Board of Supervisors consists six members who serve five-year terms. Five members are appointed by the State Soil Conservation Committee, and one is appointed by the Board of County Commissioners (Code Agriculture Article, secs. 8-301 through 8-312).
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
The Board is composed of five members appointed to three-year terms by the County Council (Code Land Use Article, secs. 4-101 through 4-406; County Code, secs. 62-11; 155-18 through 155-20).
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AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD
The Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board advises the County Council on the establishment of agricultural districts and the approval of purchases of easements within the County by the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation.
The Agricultural Reconciliation Committee arbitrates and mediates disputes involving agricultural operations conducted on agricultural lands. The Committee issues opinions on whether such operations conform with generally accepted agricultural management practices.
For zoning amendment applications, the Planning Commission investigates and makes recommendations as directed by the County Council (County Code, sec. 155-24). The Commission also advises the Board of Appeals on applications for special exceptions and variances (County Code, sec. 155-24). In addition, the Commission approves site plans when required by law or by the Board of Appeals.
The Seafood Reconciliation Committee arbitrates and mediates disputes involving seafood operations. It issues opinions on whether such operations are conducted in a manner consistent with generally accepted seafood industry management practices.
A soil conservation district constitutes a political subdivision of the State, and a public body corporate and politic, excercising public powers. The District's Board of Supervisors conducts surveys, investigations, and research relating to the character of soil erosion. Within the District, the Board carries out preventive and control measures, including engineering operations, cultivation methods, the growing of vegetation, changes in land use, and other measures.
The Board of Zoning Appeals hears and decides appeals where it is alleged there is any error in any zoning order, requirement, decision, or determination. It also interprets district boundaries on official zoning maps. Upon appeal, in specific cases, the Board may authorize such variances as will not be contrary to the public interest where, owing to special conditions, a literal enforcement would result in unnecessary hardship or practical difficulty.
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