The Department of Planning is responsible for developing and implementing the County Master Plan as envisioned by the citizens. The meetings and activities of the Planning and Zoning Commission are coordinated by the Department Director, who is Secretary to the Commission. Capital Improvement Projects review, site selection, and land banking for future schools, roads, and other public facilities are administrative functions of the Department. The Bureau of Comprehensive Planning is responsible for comprehensive, county-wide master planning. Land use plans are made and implemented working with the Carroll County Planning Commission authorized under Article 66B. The several functions within the Bureau are designed to assure County projects and programs conform with the County Master Plan, that current and long-range County planning serve to implement the Plan, and that land use and policy decisions are in accordance with the Plan. Among the ways the Bureau fulfills this function are: water and sewer master planning, comprehensive plans for the County and incorporated towns; major street and road planning; and the town/county liaison planners. The Bureau of Development Review is the lead agency in the review of all residential, commercial, and industrial plans in Carroll County. The Bureau is responsible for processing and tracking development plans from submittal through approval. The Bureau also provides development review services to the municipalities. The Bureau of Resource Management includes stormwater management, forestry/landscaping, water resource planning, and the Environmental Inspections Services Division. The Bureau is charged with protection and management of water and forestry resources. Staff are involved in a wide range of activities including subdivision and site plan review, water supply development and protection, watershed restoration and protection, forest protection and enhancement, landscaping development and enhancement, floodplain management, stormwater management, sediment control, sinkhole protection and mitigation, program development, and enforcement. The Office of Environmental Compliance (OEC) manages many of the County's environmental regulatory responsibilities directly. The OEC also provides assistance to other agencies in matters of permit compliance. OEC staff work with issues involving compliance with the County's environmental code, as well as with Maryland State and Federal legal and regulatory requirements. Carroll County's goal is compliance with all levels of environmental requirement. To help achieve that goal the OEC is available to assist any County agency as well as the residents of Carroll County in matters of environmental management and environmental regulatory compliance. The Office also serves as staff for the County Environmental Advisory Council. The Agricultural Land Preservation Program assists landowners to permanently preserve their land for agricultural uses.
|
Department of Planning
