St. Mary's Co. Commissioners to Hold Public Forum in Ridge on January 7
LEONARDTOWN—The Board of County Commissioners will host its first Public Forum of 2014 on Tuesday, January 7, at the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department, located at 13820 Point Lookout Road in Ridge, Maryland. The forum begins at 6:30 p.m. Citizens are invited to attend the forum and address the members of the Board of County Commissioners.
The Public Forum will be videotaped for subsequent broadcast on St. Mary's County Government TV 95 (SMCG TV 95). The forum can also be viewed on the county's website at http://www.stmarysmd.com. Click on Videos.
Anyone wishing to speak at the Public Forum will be allowed up to three (3) minutes to address Commissioners. Those wishing to provide more detailed comments may do so via email or regular mail.
The Board of County Commissioners can be reached by e-mail at bocc@stmarysmd.com or by mail at Board of County Commissioners for St. Mary's County, P.O. Box 653, Leonardtown, Maryland 20650.
Nominations Open for 2014 Historic Preservation Commission Awards
LA PLATA—The Charles County Historic Preservation Commission is seeking nominations for its annual award program for outstanding achievements in historic preservation. The Historic Preservation Award is presented annually to an eligible individual, business, organization, or project deserving recognition for outstanding achievements in historic preservation.
Awards are presented in two categories: Preservation Projects and Preservation Service. The Preservation Project award recognizes excellence in the preservation and restoration of historic buildings, interpretation of architectural features in new construction, and adaptive reuse of historic structures. The Preservation Service award recognizes outstanding achievement in and support for furthering the aims of historic preservation in Charles County, including: education, research, development, planning, advocacy, and community leadership.
The Charles County Commissioners established the Historic Preservation Commission in 2009. The commission recommends properties for local historic landmark designation, reviews exterior changes to locally designated landmarks, and supports documentation of historic resources throughout the county.
The nomination form may be found online at http://www.CharlesCountyMD.gov. The nomination deadline is Friday, Jan. 10, 2014. The Historic Preservation Commission will host a Preservation Reception and Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 15 at the Port Tobacco Courthouse.
For more information, please contact Ms. Beth Groth at 301-645-0684 or GrothB@CharlesCountyMD.gov. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
St. Mary's Co. Commissioners to Continue Search for Economic Development Commission Members
LEONARDTOWN—The Board of County Commissioners is expanding their search for members of the reestablished St. Mary's County Economic Development Commission (SMCEDC). The commission will guide the development and implementation of a comprehensive economic development strategy intended to broaden the local economy. Individuals with relevant experience are sought to serve on the SMCEDC.
The SMCEDC will be an appointed body, whose members will meet in public on a routine basis and will serve terms of three years. The Commission will be staffed by the County's Department of Economic and Community Development.
A majority of commission members shall consist of Private Sector Representatives. A Private Sector Representative of any for-profit enterprise shall be a senior management official or executive holding a key decision-making position, or that person's designee. Membership shall include:
-- Public Officials
-- Community leaders;
-- Representatives of institutions of higher education
-- Minority and labor groups
-- Private individuals
Individuals interested in applying for appointment to the board can download an application from the St. Mary's County Government website at http://www.co.saint-marys.md.us/voluntr/. All applications must include a resume. "Due to the specified categories, the Commissioners seek representatives, in particular, from the higher education community, minority and labor groups."
For more information, contact Robin Finnacom, Acting Director, St. Mary's County Department of Economic and Community Development at 301-475-4200, ext. 1407.
Calvert Board Adopts New St. Leonard Town Center Master Plan
PRINCE FREDERICK—On Nov. 19 the Board of County Commissioners voted to adopt a new master plan for the St. Leonard Town Center. The vote capped a process involving walking tours, public forums, a public hearing, a town hall meeting, and much work by stakeholders and county staff to develop a plan reflecting the vision of St. Leonard residents and business owners.
The St. Leonard Town Center Master Plan was first adopted in 1995 and amended in 1998. The new reorganized and updated plan replaces it. Included are five goals for the town center, up from three. They are:
1. Improve road circulation and traffic safety.
2. Promote an attractive image for the Town Center.
3. Maintain a high level of environmental quality while balancing economic development in the Town Center.
4. Provide adequate public facilities.
5. Encourage economic development that is compatible with the environmental, cultural, historical, and aesthetic character of St. Leonard.
Other highlights include:
-- Modification of the Town Center boundary, which was originally established in 1984, including minor adjustments to the northeast and expansion of the southeast to include St. Leonard Elementary School
-- A proposal for three districts: Mixed Use, Core and Residential
-- Actions to revise the Town Center Zoning Ordinance to allow smaller lot sizes: a maximum of four dwellings per acre in the Mixed Use and Core Districts, and two units per acre in the Residential District
-- A requirement for sidewalks and street trees for new/redevelopment in the Residential District
-- Action to consider construction of a second access route to MD Route 765 from the communities east of the Town Center
-- Support for efforts to locate a site for a farmers market
-- Modified objectives for transportation, architectural review and public facilities
Thanks to all those who participated in the town center master planning process. The full plan can be viewed online at http://www.co.cal.md.us/DocumentCenter/View/4745.