HomeMy WebLinkAbout890209February 9, 1989
Hagerstown, Maryland 21740
A Special Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County was
called to order at 9:10 a.m. by the President, Ronald L. Bowers, with the following
members present: Vice President Linda C. Irvin and Commissioners R. Lee Downey,
Richard E. Roulette and Martin L. Snook.
CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Roulette to convene in Executive
Session at 9:10 a.m. in regard to property matters in accordance with Section
10.508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
Unanimously approved.
RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION
Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Downey to reconvene in Regular
Session at 10:00 a.m. Unanimously approved.
REVIEW - ANIMAL HUSBANDRY ORDINANCE
The Commissioners reviewed the latest draft of the proposed Animal Husbandry
Ordinance that was presented at the Planning Commission meeting on February 7.
Commissioner Roulette gave a brief overview of the changes which include: deletion
of all references to existing farms and all reference to any expansion or
construction for under 50 animal units. The latest draft also deletes the portion
in the Complaint Section which triggered the investigation by Soil Conservation
Service of existing farms with regard to whether there was a need for a management
plan. This, in effect, orders that all existing farms in the County be
"grandfathered" into the Ordinance and they would not be considered under the
jurisdiction of this ordinance. Commissioner Roulette stated that the only reason
an existing farm would come under the Ordinance is if they would build a new
facility or expand or convert an existing facility for animal husbandry use for 50
or more units. If this happens, then the applicant will be required to present a
Concept Plan, have a Waste Management Plan submitted and have a preliminary
consultation with the agencies listed along with a review by the Planning
Commission for any additional requirements. After this process is complete and all
criteria met, a permit would be issued by Permits & Inspections. There is no
denial authority since the use is listed as a permitted use.
Commissioner Roulette also informed the Commissioners that the Planning Commission
recommended denial of the Ordinance as taken to public heairng. This ruling was
not made on the amendment but on the ordinance taken to the hearing. Ralph France,
County Attorney, determined that since the revised draft of the Ordinance may be
considered a substantial change, that it must be returned to the Planning
Commission and staff for their review and recommendation before the County
Commissioners make a decision. The Planning Commission only commented on the
original proposed ordinance, not the revised proposed ordinance.
Commissioner Downey stated that he feels large animal husbandry operations should
be considered a special exception. Commissioner Roulette agreed but felt that the
Commissioners need to determine a number over which it would require a special
exception.
MEET AS THE BOARD OF HEALTH
Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Snook to convene sitting as the
Board of Health at 10:20 a.m. in order to extend the moratorium regarding animal
Husbandry operations.
RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION AND ADJOURN
Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin to reconvene in Special
Session and adjourn at 11:10 a.m. Unanimously approved.
County Attorney
, Clerk
February 9, 1989
Hagerstown, Maryland 21740
CONVENE AS BOARD OF HEALTH
The Commissioners convened sitting as the Board of Health at 10:20 a.m. to consider
extending the Moratorium imposed on August 12, 1988 and extended 90 days on
November I, 1988 or imposing a revised order.
Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin to impose an Order, sitting as
the Board of Health, pursuant to the provisions of the Health - General Article,
Section 3-201(d), prohibiting the establishment of a new, expansion, or conversion
of an existing farming structure capable of housing fifty (50) or more units of
swine or poultry within the confines of Washington County for a period of six (6)
months effective with this date, with animal units defined as follows:
Type of Livestock Animal Units per Head Equivalents
Brood sows or boars 0.4 2.5
Hogs raised to 220 lbs. 0.2 5
Poultry (per 100) 1 100
Chickens raised (per 200) 1 200
Unanimously approved. (Copy of Order attached.)
The Meeting was reconvened in Special Session at 11:10 a.m
County Attorney
, Clerk