The Calvert County Planning Commission is hosting a public informational meeting on proposed changes to the Calvert County and Prince Frederick zoning ordinances Monday, Nov. 30, 6-8 p.m. at Calvert High School, 600 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick.
County staff will present proposed zoning ordinance amendments designed to provide more flexibility for development in the New Town and Village Subareas of the Prince Frederick Town Center. Residents can talk to staff and view amendment details during an open house from 6 to 7 p.m., followed by a staff presentation on the amendments.
The amendments are proposed by the Board of County Commissioners at the recommendation of the Department of Economic Development and the County Attorney's Office. Amendments include changes to setbacks, density, building height/size and land uses. The draft amendments are available for review online at www.co.cal.md.us/PFzoning.
Public comments on the proposed amendments are welcomed. Comments will be taken at the meeting; those who cannot attend may submit comments via email to pz@co.cal.md.us; by mail to CPB, 150 Main St., Prince Frederick, Md., 20678, ATTN: Prince Frederick Zoning; or by calling 410-535-1600, ext. 2356.
For more information about the meeting or to request reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities or linguistic barriers, contact Planning Commission Administrator Yolanda Hipski at 410-535-1600, ext. 2636 or email hipskiya@co.cal.md.us.
View the proposed amendments at www.co.cal.md.us/PFzoning
Calvert County Wins Top Tourism Award for Lower Marlboro Freedom Day
The Calvert County Department of Economic Development won tops honors for its Lower Marlboro Freedom Day event that commemorated 14 slaves who fled the county during the War of 1812. The 2014 event earned the “Best Small Event” award during Maryland’s 35th Annual Tourism and Travel Summit held Nov. 3 in Ellicott City and sponsored by the Maryland Office on Tourism and the Maryland Tourism Coalition.
Researched and organized by Calvert County Historic Preservation Planner Kirsti Uunila, the day-long event explored the story of the men and women who left slavery, boarding British boats in the Patuxent River in the summer of 1814, and their struggle to decide “whether to stay or go.” Their stories were told through walking tours around the town of Lower Marlboro, living history storytellers, musical performances, displays, photographs and presentations.
“It took a number of partnerships to pull the event off,” explained Uunila, pointing to the contributions made by the Calvert County Chapter of the NAACP, the Calvert County Historical Society, Preservation Maryland, the Calvert County Historic District Commission, Bayside History Museum, Mt. Harmony-Lower Marlboro United Methodist Church and the Maryland State Archives.
“It was great to work with our community partners to first research, and then creatively share, our county’s rich history and involvement in the War of 1812,” she added. “This award goes to all of us.”
Aww…Shucks Fundraiser A Great Success!
From left to right: Captain Jack Russell, John Fulchiron, First Mate on the Dee and Brian Russell from Shore Thing Shellfish.
The Aww…Shucks Oyster Social fundraiser held on Saturday, October 24 at the Calvert Marine Museum celebrated the Dee of St. Mary’s, one of the few remaining sailing skipjacks on the Chesapeake Bay.
The event raised over $20,000 and proceeds will support replacing the rigging and repairing the mast to keep this wonderful Chesapeake vessel sailing into the future. “ Aww… Shucks was a fundraiser in the truest sense because it cost us very little to put on. Virtually all of the money we raised is going to support the Dee of St. Mary’s. It’s quite a tribute, both to the community and to the importance of preserving our skipjack,” said Deputy Director, Sherrod Sturrock.
Special thanks go out to the community support received from event sponsors ranging in gifts of $25 up to $5,000. Held under the lighthouse and in the ambiance of the Patuxent Small Craft Center, there were almost 100 people in attendance. Oysters scalded and on the half shell were donated by Capt. Smith’s Seafood Market, Hollywood Oyster Company, Johnny Oyster Seed Company, Kellam’s Seafood – Point Lookout Oyster Company, Patuxent Seafood Company, and Shore Thing Shellfish, LLC.
A wide variety of delicious hors’ d oeuvres were donated by local restaurants including A nglers Seafood Bar and Grill, Boomerang’s Original Ribs, Charles Street Brasserie, Isaac’s Restaurant and Pub, Lotus Kitchen, Ruddy Duck Brewery and Grill, Stoney’s Kingfishers, The Island Hideaway, The Lighthouse Restaurant and Dock Bar, and Zahniser’s Dry Dock Restaurant.
Live music by the waterfront was provided by Jeff Farius and Gary Rue. Seasonal brews and wine were compliments of Bozick Distributors. A silent auction featuring Dee inspired original artwork and collectibles, as well as a private sail with Captain Jack Russell, raised over $3,000. Plan to join us next year on Saturday, October 22, 2016, for an evening of good food, fun and friendship, all while supporting the Dee of St. Mary’s, our treasured Chesapeake workboat.
Sheriff's Office recognized for being second in the nation for Highway Safety
From left: Sheriff Mike Evans, Dfc. Mark Robshaw, Cpl. Jason Dean, and Capt. Todd Ireland.
The National Law Enforcement Challenge Highway Safety Awards Breakfast was held On October 27th at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers. The Calvert County Sheriff's Office was recognized for being second in the nation for Highway Safety amongst Sheriff's Offices nationwide having 21 to 250 sworn deputies. The entry was submitted by Deputy First Class Mark Robshaw of the Calvert County Sheriff's Office Community Action Team (CAT). The Calvert County Sheriff's Office won first place recognition in the state of Maryland for the entry. The Sheriff's Office received a $5000.00 award from the Maryland Highway Safety Office to be used for the purchase of traffic safety related equipment.
The National Law enforcement Challenge (NLEC) recognizes and awards excellent law enforcement traffic safety programs, focusing on impaired driving, occupant protection, and speeding. The NLEC is supported through a cooperative agreement between the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, working collaboratively with the National Sheriff's Association, Governors Highway Safety Association, and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.
Solomons Visitor Center to Remain Open Through 2016
The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted this month to keep the Solomons Visitor Center open for at least another year. The decision came after the BOCC saw an uptick in the number of visitors coming through the center and a deep reduction in the cost of running it thanks to a shift in management.
In June, the BOCC approved maintaining operations of the visitor center under the management of the Calvert County Department of Economic Development (DED). That decision changed an earlier vote to permanently close the facility due to declining visitor numbers and budget restraints. For the last five months, the BOCC reviewed operations and surveyed county and regional tourism partners. Not only did visitor numbers rise, DED significantly reduced operating costs, from $100,000 to $13,846 annually, by adjusting staff and hours. The DED staff is also looking into generating revenue through the sale of merchandise at the center to help offset costs.
The Solomons Visitor Center will be open on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Nov. 20. The center will be closed Thanksgiving Day. From Dec. 1, 2015, through April 30, 2016, the center will operate under seasonal hours, opening Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.