HomeMy WebLinkAboutH_1975 Annual Reportnd
WASHINGTON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
1975 ANNUAL REPORT
Board of County Commissioners
Martin L. Snook, President
W. Keller Nigh III, Vice -President
R. Lee Downey
William J. Dwyer
Burton R. Hoffman
Washington County Planning Commission
Donald R. Frush, Chairman
William E. Dorsey, Vice -Chairman
John C. Herbst
Paul W. Hoffman
W. Keller Nigh III
David W. Sowers, Jr.
Barbara B. Whitcomb
Published, January, 1976
Washington County Planning Commission
Court House Annex
Hagerstown, Maryland 21740
The preparation of this report was financed in part through
a comprehensive planning grant from the Department of Housing
and Urban Development, as administered by the Maryland De-
partment of State Planning.
Table of Contents
Page
Preface.............................................. 1
Planning Organizational Chart ........................ 2
Planning Agency Interrelationships ................... 3
Work Program - 701 Assistance ........................ 4
Countrywide Planning Program ......................... 8
A-95 Clearinghouse Review ............................ 9
Capital Improvement Program .......................... 9
Water and Sewerage Plan .............................. 10
Historic Preservation ................................ 10
AdvisoryBoard........................................11
Recreational Facility Design ......................... 11
Subdivision Regulations .............................. 12
1975 Approved Subdivisions ........................... 14
Zoning Ordinance and District Boundary Maps.......... 17
1975 Zoning Map Amendments ........................... 18
1975 Highlights of County Development ................ 19
1975 Development Map ................................. 20
1975 Meetings ........................... ........... 21
The Outlook for 1976 ................................. 22
January 1976
WASHINGTON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
COURT HOUSE ANNEX, 24 SUMMIT AVENUE
HAGERSTOWN, MARYLAND 21740
Preface
Review of Commission Annual Reports for the past several years
indicates a recurring theme - the need for a planning process
in Washington County which includes significant public involve-
ment, and which in turn is responsive to and representative of
the public interest.
More than ever before, the coming year offers the opportunity
to achieve this goal. The revision of the Comprehensive Plan,
and attendant items of the Commission's work program, can lead
to developmental and growth policies which will serve .to stim-
ulate public opinion and be sensitive to the needs of the County,
its residents and those wanting to invest in Washington County.
The history of planning and governmental involvement with devel-
opment in Washington County shows strong evidence of a corrective
approach. All too often, the energies and fiscal resources of
local government have been directed to correcting problems that
may have been averted. Herein lies another opportunity for 1976.
The Commission's work program is designed to provide for directly
encountering the many complex and difficult considerations con-
cerning development and proposing measures which, if adopted and
implemented, will prevent reoccurrence of many of our current
problems and thereby relieve the burden on local tax dollars. This
preventive approach should be initiated at the local level, in
conjunction with state and federal land use activities.
Whether the Commission's activities during 1976 will result in
a planning program which is in the public interest will ulti-
mately depend upon to what degree the County's residents partici-
pate in the planning process and utilize the planning policies
which will be formulated. The task begun by the Commission should
be continued and strengthened by informed citizens at the local
level.
S. cerely,
Donald R. Frush
Chairman
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Washington County Planning Program
701 Assistance
Assistance as authorized by Section 701 of the Federal Housing Act
of 1954, as amended, channeled through the State to the County,
supported Washington County's ongoing planning program during the
year. A major portion of the Commission and staff effort was direc-
ted to completion of this portion of the Fiscal 1975 program, and
the initiation of the Fiscal 1976 program.
The Fiscal 1975 and 1976 programs included the following items:
Comprehensive Plan Revision
A thorough revision of the Plan For The County was insitiuted. Dur-
ing Fiscal 1975, background studies on a County -wide basis were
prepared by the staff and titled as follows:
The Natural Environment
Population: Trends, Characteristics, Projects
Housing: An Inventory of Problems and Needs
Historical Perspectives
Community Facilities and Services: An Invento
Parks and Open Space: An Inventory
Washington County Economic Base
Hillside Development: Environmental Analysis
Existing Land Use Planning Sectors I and II)
The plan revision on a planning sector basis for each of the six (6)
sectors is proceeding and scheduled for completion during Fiscal 1976
in a form suitable for recommendation by the Planning Commission for
adoption by •the County Commissioners. In addition to goals, objec-
tives, and plan policies, elements of the plan to be revised include:
Public Facilities and Services - Using as a basis the County -wide
inventory of such facilities prepared during Fiscal 1975, •this plan
element will establish standards and make recommendations for future
facility needs for education, fire and police, libraries, health, and
public buildings. Numerous meetings with elected officials, County
departments, County organizations, and interested citizens will be
held during the preparation of this Plan element.
Parks and Open Space - Using as a basis the background study prepared
during Fiscal 1975, which surveyed and analyzed existing public
and private recreational areas and facilities, and identified areas
of special scenic beauty, natural resources and recreational poten-
tial, a plan element will be prepared which will prescribe methodo-
logy for the preservation and use of these areas, and propose a
program for land requirements, development criteria and standards for
regional, community, neighborhood, and special use parks and program
acquisition.
4
The process will be coordinated with the many organizations in-
volved in the conservation and wise utilization of natural resources.
Land Use - A background study on existing land use in Planning
Sectors I and II was prepared during Fiscal 1975. Similar studies
for Sectors III through VI will be prepared during Fiscal 1976.
Based on the completed background studies, a plan element will
be prepared which will establish specific land use classifications,,
including land use intensity ratings. Land use policies and
methods of implementation will be proposed. This planning ele-
ment will be developed on a multi -discipline basis and will con-
sider a broad range of physical, social, and economic factors,
including, but not limited to, existing land uses, historic pre-
servation, economic and community development, preservation of
agricultural land, growth controls, growth encouragement, and
environmental protection.
Transportation - This element will consider the various transpor-
tation systems within Washington County, and will identify immediate,
short range and long range transportation needs, opportunities
and alternatives. Past and current planning efforts, including
the Hagerstown Regional Airport Development Plan, the Washington
County Mass Transit Study, and the Hagerstown -Washington County
Comprehensive Transportation study will be utilized.
Areas of Critical State Concern
Areas of Critical State concern will be identified during Fiscal
1976 in cooperation with the Department of State Planning, as
provided for by 1974 amendments to Article 88C of the Annotated
Code. Each planning sector will be reviewed to identify these
areas, and the process will be closely coordinated with the Com-
prehensive Plan revision.
The results of public opinion on the subject, which was gathered
over the past two years from numerous public meetings and over
1200 responses to a questionnaire, will be utilized.
Overall Program Design
The Overall Program Design (OPD), prepared annually, details the
Commission's work program for the upcoming fiscal year and serves
as the application for "701" planning assistance. The document
was and will be prepared for the respective fiscal years.
Housing
During Fiscal 1975, a background study on housing and a draft
Housing Code were prepared.
An on -site inventory of the conditions of housing units in Washing-
ton County will be initiated during Fiscal 1976 as an additional
phase toward development of a housing plan element and a housing
delivery system. The scope of the inventory will assess deficien-
cies based upon standards suggested in the draft Housing Code.
Review and Analysis of Existing Land Use Controls
Based on regulatory recommendations in the Comprehensive Plan re-
vision and upon a review and analysis of existing land use controls,
an assessment of the effectiveness of such controls to implement
goals, objectives and policies of the revised Comprehensive Plan
will be made during. Fiscal 1976. In addition to amendments to the
Washington County Zoning Ordinance, and Subdivision Ordinance, alter-
native methods of evaluating the fiscal impact of development and
the financing of the provision of County services will be examined.
Background studies prepared during Fiscal 1975 on the economy and
hillside development will be utilized.
Capital Improvements Program
Based upon programs and policies of all applicable plans and other
factors, a Fiscal 1976-1981 Capital Improvements Program was pre-
pared during Fiscal 1975. A similar document for the Fiscal 1977-1982
period will be prepared during Fiscal 1976.
Local Planning Services
Planning services will continue to be provided, upon request, to
the Towns of Boonsboro, Funkstown, Smithsburg, Clear Spring,
Sharpsburg, Williamsport, Keedysville and Hancock. These services
will include: (1) Plan implementation and amendment; (2) liaison
between county and municipal planning processes; (3) community de-
sign and special community. planning projects.
Historic Districts - Analysis and Administration
The Commission and staff will continue to coordinate historic pre-
servation efforts with those of the Historic District Commission,
Historical Society and Historical Advisory Committee, and expand
these efforts to include: (1) increased staff assistance to the
Historic District Commission to provide support and analysis in
administration of historic districts in accordance with the pro-
visions of Article 66B of the Annotated Code; (2) expanded activity
relative to establishment of Historic Preservation (HP) zoning
classifications.
New Community Task Force
The Plan For The County proposes a new community in the vicinity
of Hagerstown Junior College. The possibility of establishing a
New Community Task Force to bring together and coordinate the
efforts of land owners, engineers, planners, architects, investors,
public agency representatives, public officials and neighboring
residents in the development of a detailed plan for the new com-
munity, will be investigated during Fiscal 1976.
Citizen -Community Planning Orgainzation
Washington County includes a number of unincorporated population con-
centrations which have a community identity yetno local, formalized
process or forum, for dealing with community related planning
problems. During Fiscal 1976, the staff will provide assistance
in establishment of "Community Planning Organizations". Such
groups will provide formal input to the planning process on such
matters as urban design, localized traffic problems, zoning class-
ifications, and planning for community facilities and other
development needs.
Citizen Participation
As in the past, the Commission and staff will continue to seek
maximum citizen participation. Specific items which will continue
to be emphasized are:
1. Preparation and distribution of the
Planning Information Newsletter.
2. Lectures and presentations to a var-
iety of groups in an effort to encourage
more active public awareness and partici-
pation.
3. Liaison with the Planning Advisory
Board, Historic District Commission, and
other planning related organizations.
4. Preparation and distribution of the
Annual Report.
5. Numerous public informational meetings,
and public hearings on the various activities
of the Commission.
A grant of $19,350 was received in support of the Fiscal 1975 pro-
gram, -and a grant of $25,000 for Fiscal 1976. These monies have
been and will be used for support of in-house capabilities, reflect-
ing the Commission's total movement away from a reliance on consultant
planning services.
Countywide Planning Program
The County's smaller municipalities made significant progress
during the year in instituting comprehensive planning programs.
Under a 1973 agreement, the County, in cooperation with the
Department of State Planning, funded the preparation by a con-
sultant of a comprehensive plan and supportive ordinances for
each municipality. Throughout the preparation process, the
municipal planning commissions coordinated and directed the
project for the towns. Adoption and implementation are under
the sole jurisdiction of the municipality as provided by
Article 66B. Staff assistance is provided by the Commission,
on request of the municipality.
At the beginning of 1975, three towns had conducted a public
hearing on the comprehensive plans. At year's end, the status
of the plan and supportive ordinances was as follows:
Comprehensive Subdivision
Zoning
Municipality
Plan
Regulations
Regulations
Boonsboro
Clear Spring
Adopted
Adopted
Adopted
Adopted
Adopted
Adopted
Funkstown
Adopted
Adopted
Adopted
Hancock
Adopted
Under review by
Planning Commission
Keedysville
Adopted
Public Hearing
held by Planning
Commission
Sharpsburg
Adopted
Public Hearing
held by Planning
Commission
Smithsburg
Adopted
Public Hearing
held by Planning
Commission
Williamsport
Adopted
Under Review by
Planning Commission
The established cooperative approach with the City of Hagerstown on
planning matters of mutual concern continued during the year. Joint
meetings were held to discuss the Hagerstown Regional Airport Devel-
opment Plan, the Hagerstown Comprehensive Development Plan, and the
Washington County Mass Transit Study. The two Commissions also pro-
ceeded jointly to conduct a public hearing and formulate recommenda-
tions to the County Commissioners for 1975 amendments of the Water
and Sewerage Plan. Close coordination with Hagerstown is anticipa-
ted for revision of the County Comprehensive Plan and Water and
Sewerage Plan during 1976, as well as any other planning acitvity
of mutual concern to the respective jurisdictions.
A-95
Clearinghouse Review
In accordance with the provisions of the Federal Intergovernmental
Cooperation Act of 1968, and of Federal Office of Management and
Budget Circulars A-95 and A-98, issued as a result of that Act, each
State is required to establish a central unit to effect the coordin-
ation of direct Federal and specified federally assisted planning
and development activities within that State in order to assure
that all viewpoints are taken into account. The Department of
State Planning serves this function, and in turn has requested
that each County designate an agency or individual on the local
level to effect local coordination. Donald R. Frush, Planning
Commission Chairman, serves in this capacity for Washington County.
All projects submitted under the Clearinghouse procedure are re-
viewed for compliance with local plans, programs, and objectives.
Local coordination is further accomplished by requesting the
comments of local agencies and governmental units which may be
affected by any particular project.
A total of sixty-one (61) reviews were completed during the year,
as compared to nineteen (19) during 1974.
Capital Improvement Program
In May, the FY 1976-1981 Washington County Capital Improvement
Program was presented to the Washington County Commissioners, in
accordance with the requirements of Article 66B of the Annotated
Code.
Categorial groups for capital projects in. the program are:
I Water and Sewerage Facilities; II Storm Drainage Facilities;
III Roads and Highways; IV Bridge Repair and Replacement; V
Office Space; VI Educational Facilities; VII Parks and Recrea-
tional Facilities; IX Law Enforcement, Safety and Corrections;
X Transportation; XI Housing; XII Cultural Facilities.
The program represents the capital improvement requests of County
agencies only. As part of the program, however, a compilation
of municipal projects is included, with the recommendation that
projects, in order to provide for a more continuous programming
process and to secure larger amounts of non -local funds.
Water and Sewerage Plan
The Commission, in cooperation with the Hagerstown Planning Com-
mission, and City and County agency representatives, completed
major revisions of the Washington County Water and Sewerage Plan
during the year.
The 1974 amendment, rejected by the State Health Department in
February, was extensively revised, adopted by the County Commis-
sioners in May, and approved by State authorities in June. The
text portion of the 1975 amendment, was adopted by. the County
Commissioners in December, with map adoption expected in January
1976.
Throughout the amendment process, the City and County Planning
Commissions conducted joint public hearings and joint meetings
to formulate recommendations. The 1975 amendments were pre-
pared by staff, reflecting the Commission's movement away from
a reliance on consultant planning services.
Staff services rendered for this purpose were reimbursed in full
through the State Health Department.
Historic Preservation
The survey of the County's historic sites and structures located
outside the municipalities continued through the year, under con-
sultant contract funded equally by the County through the Commis-
sion and the Maryland Historical Trust.
The survey is designed to provide the foundation for promotion and
protection of the County's wealth of historical assets, with each
site photographed, evaluated, and researched. Based upon this
activity, the level of historical significance will be determined,
and appropriate •zoning designations and/or listing on state and
federal historic registers given. At years end, in excess of 400
sites and structures were completed.
During the year, the Commission also renewed its recommendation to
the County Commissioners for tax incentives for historic preserva-
tion activities as provided for by Article B1 of the Annotated Code,
concerning restoration of historic structures, retention of open
space around historic structures, and construction of architectur-
ally compatible new structures in historic districts.
This recommendation, was not adopted.
10
Advisory Board
Established in 1972 in order to further
planning process, the Advisory Board is
sentative of the County's population and
a continuous source of citizen input to
involve the public in the
composed of citizens repre-
is designed to provide
the Commission.
During 1975, the Board provided recommendations on such matters as
zoning amendments, subdivision amendments, and revision of the
Water and Sewerage Plan. The Board is also participating in the
revision of the Comprehensive Plan, and in staging of a planning
conference scheduled for February and March. A Commission staff
member is assigned as liaison to the Board, which meets the second
Monday of each month.
At the Board's request, the membership was expanded during the
year and includes:
William Wolford Jr. (Chairman)
Austin Flook
Margurite Snyder
Mrs. James A. Lucas
Dennis Miller
Libby Harp
Daris Phillips
Donald Wood
Linda Daniels
Diane Elder
Leonard Lowry
Vincent Groh
Richard Bowers
John Newcomer Jr.
Hugh Middlekauff
Michael Driesbach
Charles Morrison
Robert Rosenberry
Margaret Woodbury
Harold Boyer
Recreational Facility Design
In cooperation with the Department of Parks and Recreation, the
Commission staff devoted considerable attention during the year
to preparation of definitive design for County parks.
Piper Lane Neighborhood Park, located on approximately two acres
at the intersection of York Road and Halfway Boulevard, was de-
signed by the staff and developed by the Parks Department early
in the year. Design of the forty acre Pen Mar Park, was nearly
completed by the end of the year, with development scheduled for
early in 1976.. Design work for the Halfway Park is scheduled for
completion early in 1976 for the initial development phase.
Initial design of portions of the Ditto Farms site is also
expected during 1976.
11
Subdivision Regulations
Administration of the Subdivision Ordinance remained a major act-
ivity of the Commission during the year. Comparative figures for
1974 and 1975 follow:
1974 - APPROVED
Type Number Lots Acreage
Residential
132
294
989.0
Commercial
3
3
8.7
Industrial -Institutional
7
7
95.4
Simplified
132
132
945.7
274
436
2038.8
Disapproved - 32
Acreage
- 509.0
1975 -
APPROVED
Type
Number
Lots
Acreage
Residential
100
451
1128.6
Commercial
1
1
3.1
Industrial -Institutional
4
4
29.5
Simplified
117
117
1101.3
222
573
2262.5
Disapproved - 17
Acreage -
256.3
While the number of approvals for developmental purposes declined,
the total lots approved and acreage increased from 1974. A de-
crease was evidenced in the number of simplified plats, which are
for non -developmental purposes. The acreage for this type of sub-
division, however, increased from 1974.
Very significant was the geographical distribution of subdivision
approvals for development, as indicated below:
Sector
Lots
Acreage
I
151
257.3
II
192
541.5
III
36
199.4
IV
36
46.1
V
37
89.3
VI
4
27.7
456
1161.2
in
As shown, the concentration of subdivision activity was in Planning
Sectors I and II. Sector II, encompasing the Beaver Creek,
Boonsboro, Keedysville, Sharpsburg, Downsville, and (airplay elec-
tion districts, has very limited public water and sewerage and other
support facilities, but during the year led the County in both
number of lots and acreage.
Regular bi-monthly meetings of reviewing agencies, Commission staff,
consultants, and applicants, for the purpose of monitoring the
status of subdivision plats, continued throughout the year. The pre-
liminary consultation, to allow for agency review and comment prior
to formal plat submission, was utilized more extensively than in
any previous year.
The Commission continued to provide for administrative approval of
one and two lot residential subdivisions, and for preliminary and
final approval of all other plats at one meeting, irrespective of
the number of lots, which are prepared in final form, which meet
all subdivision requirements, and which require no additional in-
formation. Time and cost savings for subdividers result from these
procedures.
In September, the Commission conducted a public hearing on amendments
to the Subdivision Ordinance. Several were proposed to incorporate
certain provisions of the Washington County Highway Plan with respect
to building setback, rights -of -way for streets and highways, and
street layout and design. Other amendments include:
- A requirement for a preliminary consultation (prior
to subdivision plat submission) resulting in five (5)
or more lots since the date of Ordinance enactment
(September 8, 1970). The consultation formerly was
optional.
- A provision for subdivision of lots on a private
driveway or right-of-way to immediate family members
only. Immediate family proposed to include father,
mother, son, daughter, brother or sister. Previously,
up to two (2) lots could be subdivided on a private
driveway or right-of-way with no reference to family
membership.
- A requirement to indicate the boundary and acreage
of the tract to be subdivided; the extent and acreage
of any watershed affecting the subdivision, and the
number and location of lots previously subdivided
from the tract. This information was formerly not
required.
The amendments were adopted by the County Commissioners in December.
13
1975. Subdivision Approvals
No. of
Approval
Subdivision
E.D.
Lots
Ac.
Date
Mahlon Miller
7
—2--
3.1
1, '>
1/03
Glenn Eby Lots 3,4,5
13
-%
3.1
,,;-'
1/06
Shank's Addition
10-"
-1--
.7
1/20
to St. James Village Lot 2
Leon French
4
1--
10.0
,,>
1/20
Hagerstown Ltd. Partnership
6
1---.
28.0
1/22
Greenspring Hills
15
14:
23.1
/4
2/03
Wilbur Diebert
20✓
—4=
3.4
,`
2/03
Antietam Manor Sec. 3
12v
1-6
23.0
I'
2/03
Isaac Norris
5
-4
27.7
/•1'
2/03
John N. Bowman
15'
T--
3.0
2/10
REA Express
2✓
1---
3.0
2/17
Harry Wolfe, Lots 4-7
1
--4--
50.8
/'_.:?
2/17
Robert Bidle
6
--
3.4
3.i'
2/25
Beaverbrook - Sec. A
7-18
1-5
14.4
'-
3/03
Mountain View Estates
6
-2-3
49.4
'- /
3/03
Emmett Abbott Block 3
12"
-2-
2.3
/./
3/13
Forge Hill Estates - Sec. B
1
3-9--
33.3
'`
3/17
Rowland Chain Saw Sales
24
--1-
3.1
/
3/27
Harry A. Wolfe Lot 4A
1
1
8.3
3?
3/31
John Waldron
19
T-
4.5
,'-1
4/01
Mark and Clark Eichelberger
1
-1-
3.0
.,>
4/02
David Fraley
8
6--
19.6
<,3
4/07
Woodmoor, Sec. D,E
26
-8.2---=
21.3
,.>
4/07
Leroy Martz Lot 1
6
.-1
.9
/3
4/15
Alba L. Mathias
9✓
-'1--
7.6
>.3-
4/18
Burnside Acres
1
-6--'
25.1
4/21
Roxbury Hill
6
-
123.1
4/21
Opequon Farms
20-"
3
; 23.7
�, '
4/21
Harry Wolfe Lots 8,9,10,11
1
-4'"
50.9
7
4/21
Luther Davis Lot A
20✓
1-'
3.0
,i
4/23
Richard Coffman Parcel A
20✓
-1--
.9
,'?
4/23
Leon French Lot 2
4
1"'
10.0
!-'
4/23
Country Squire Estates
7
7w`°
7.8
4/21
Prince Village Lot 1
9 V
,1—
1.5
,.•a
4/29
Boonsboro Ltd. Partnership
Lot B
6
1
1.8
5/07
Carbaugh - Dodge
23
1'
1.0
5/16
Fairfield Subdivision
11
..4=7
13.4
5/19
Opequon Farms II, Sec. 3
20✓
1---
.9
5/20
Cruze Acres
13
-1-a
19.0
A
5/20
Floyd H. Myers
19
1-
3.0
'2
5/21
Arthur Ridenour
16
-1
1.0
/
5/28
Kenneth Lang
15-"
1-"
3.5
-:,
6/04
14
1975 Subdivi-sion Approvals
No. of
Approval
Subdivision
E.D.
Lots
Ac.
Date
Garrett's Mill Acres
11
2`
15.4
•/.'t
6/12
Vernon Huntzberry
18
,1
1.7
r,?
6/16
Clyde W. Deal
14
fi
1.0
6/16
Clarence M. Cook
9
-1--
1.0,0
6/T6
Homer E. Smith
7
•--1"
3.0
:'
6/18
Clarence Easterday
l2 ✓
1—'
4.1
'/,�
6/19
0.0. Craig Lot 6
24
'1'
7.5
r. 1
6/24
Charles Lloyd Hutson
23
-1
1.1'1
6/27
Fountain Rock Estates
20✓
--5---
5.1
!,r?
7/07
Bent Willow Farms Sec.
B
8
-5--
15.5
's.f
7/07
Donald E. Beard
10 ✓
fi--
1.1
Li
7/11
William E. Pennington
20
--1
.9
7/18
Williamsport Assembly
of God
20''
-1-
1.5
H
7/28
Richard L. Bowers
6
-5--
6.8
;. '!
8/04
J3B Development Corp.
2
1--'
18.5
w..
8/04
Mill Village Lot A
9✓
-1-<
1.1
8/08
John T. Himes
11
-1 `"
3.0
`''
8/18
Evelyn I. Lescalleet
8
2
8.1
'
8/25
Paul Shade
1
11
1.0
:''
8/25
R. T. Norris
1
A°'
3.0
8/25
Leona H. Barnes
9
-l-
.9
8/29
Shirley Ann Smith
8
-1-,,
5.0
8/29
Dunrovin Acres
16
-4'—
9.0
-•''
9/10
C. Richard Grimm
2''
-..4
3.6
='=
9/10
Garden Spot Sec. C
13
17—
10.9
.(°
9/10
William E. Pennington
20✓
-3"
2.7
.`!
9/10
Robert J. Smith
6
1`"
1.1
rr
9/15
Prather Hull Lot 1
23
-1-"
1.0
' -
9/15
Richard Keely Lots 2-4
Sec.1
9✓
--T-'
1.1
,r
9/17
Clarence B. Crane Lot
1,Sec.1
19
-1F
2.0
H.`'
9/24
Frank Semler
7
1-•
.7
7
9/29
J. Preston Shupp
4
-5-
5.3
H?
9/29
Lockwood Road Lots
2✓
~4--�
3:6
,°`1
9/29
S.P. Communications
14
1
5.0
9/29
Dunrovin Acres No. 2
16
3,,.
4.5_;.=
10/06
Harry H. Wolfe Jr.
23
-9-•
120.1
;'.'
10/06
Clarence Crane Lot 1 -
Sec. 2
19
1-
3.9
.}
10/08
Rhea L. Bernton
14
-1
1.2,'-
10/08
Boonsboro Ltd. Partnership
6
1 ~
1.7
1
10/08
Homer Barkdoll
6
-1
1.9
10/20
Clarence Crane Sec. 1
Lots 2-4
19
-3--
5.6
10/20
Lewis J. Talbert
16
1✓
17.3
rl.$10/23
15
1975 Subdivision Approvals
Subdivision
Raymond Richardson
Marshall Kretzer
Garrison Woods
David A. Repp
John A. Horst
Ernest B. Moore
Dorine I. Carty Gallion
John R. Nyssong
Spring. Dell Farms Sec. 2
Skipton Farms
Donald Beard
Elvin Gelvin Lot 1
Elvin Gelvin Lot 2
Alexander Horvath
Adin Hege
Elmer C. Strite
Paul Buhrman
Graham & Jacques - Parcel A
Park Hall Estates
Margaret Jane Hanes
J. D. Earl Martin Lot E
No. of Approval
E.D. Lots Ac. Date
13 1"' 2.2 --7- 10/24
23
-1-,
1.0
1 '
10/24
15
„7.,
47.3
;. ?;
10/28
4
1--
5.0
10/28
4-1
1.0
11/13
23
-1-
1.0
11/14
2✓
"1"
.9
,gig
11/19
9�
1
1.3
t, ";>
11/20
20,"
—2-
16.8
11/25
8.5
2 . `n
12/01
101,
-81
8.2
f.�'
12/01
7
—1--1
4.0
'l
12/01
7
--1
1.1
12/01
10✓
1 `
3.0
;,0
12/01
13
1,
.9
"1
12/03
18
--1--
1 . 2
nF
12/05
14
d—
3.2
3.2-
12/10
7
-—
1.6
I,%
12/15
8
-14.r,-°
99.5
'i
12/16
11
-1----
3.0
"'
12/22
27
-11
2.4
"? {
12/29
16
Zoning Ordinance and District Boundary Maps
The Commission remained active during the year in exercising its
responsibility under the provisions of Article 66B of the Annota-
ted Code to provide recommendations to the County Commissioners
on map and text amendments to the Zoning Ordinance. Three (3)
public hearings were conducted during the year by the Commission
for this purpose.
A summary of Zoning amendment activity follows:
Commission
Recommendations
County Commissioners Decision
No.
App.
Disapp.
App.
Disapp.
Map 11
2
9
4
5*
Text 29
28
1
25
4
Total 40
30
10
29
9*
* Two (2) cases pending County
Commissioners's decision
Most text amendments were initiated by the Commission. Significant
among these were:
1. Addition of the requirement for site plan sub-
mittal and approval for major uses in most Districts,
with specific design and performance standards.
2. Addition of specific requirements for off street
parking and the design thereof.
3. Revision of design requirements for mobile home
parks and subdivisions to provide greater flexibility
in design.
Approved map amendments are shown on the following page. Recommenda-
tions on those amendments were made by the Commission in accordance
with the factors to be considered in rezoning as required by Article
66B of the Annotated Code.
Administratively, the Commission instituted a zoning cycle, schedul-
ing a year in advance the dates for filing and public hearing. This
• change has proven to be of benefit to all involved with the zoning
amendment process.
17
0
I
s
A
♦ i Fi . 1
•
CASE NO.
CHANGE
ACRES
CONFORMS TO PLAN
RZ-90
RS to BG
6.2
Yes
RZ-117
RS to BG
3.4
Yes
RZ-122
RS to I G
2.5
No
RZ-123
RS to I G
1.5
No
n
0
Scale
( c
�y` MII05 0 i
0
1975 Highlights of County Government
The Planning Commission granted final approval for
development to 105 subdivisions, totaling 1161.2
acres. Among these approval were:
A. Residential subdivisions of 20 or
more lots which included Woodmoor,
Sections D,E (Halfway), Roxbury
Hill (Benevola), Mountain View
Estates (Boonsboro), Forge Hill
Estates Section B (Sharpsburg).
B. J3B Development Corporation for a
warehousing and manufactoring facility
to be located in the Interstate In-
dustrial Park.
2. The major Board of Education project was the Marshall
Street Education Center located on Marshall Street in
Hagerstown.
3. Major transportation projects included the construc-
tion of Halfway Boulevard from East Oak Ridge Drive
to Route 632, Longmeadow Road from the western
Maryland Railroad to Marsh Pike and the reconstruc-
tion of the Kemp's Mill Bridge, which had been
destroyed by Hurricane Agnes.
The development discussed above, as well as all subdivision approvals
is depicted on the 1975 Development Map on the following page.
These developments were consistent with each other, consistent with
the adopted comprehensive plan,"and consistent with adopted plans of
all state and local jurisdiction which have responsibility for fin-
ancing or constructing public improvements necessary to implement
the County's comprehensive plan.
19
O
N
EIIFIE Residential (Subdivisions, Apartments, Mobile Home Parks)
Industrial (New and Expanded)
Commercial
Community Facilities
O Transportation (Road Reconstruction Projects, Bridges)
Other
O
C
t
Scale
Feet
Melee a
C•7
1975 Meetings
Type Number
Regular
16
Special
6
Joint with Hagerstown
7
Workshops
14
Public Hearings
6
Public Meetings
102
Total
151
Indicative of the scope of its activity and demands of the work
program, the Commission conducted and/or participated in numerous
meetings during the year.
In addition to regular meetings, held the first Monday and during
the early part of the year also on the third Monday, six (6) special
meetings were called for the purpose of conducting official business
as needed. Seven (7) joint meetings were held with the Hagerstown
Planning Commission for the purpose of considering amendments to
the Washington County Water and Sewerage Plan, the Hagerstown Re-
gional Airport Development Plan, the Hagerstown Comprehensive Plan,
and other items of mutual concern.
Fourteen (14) workshops were held to provide for continuous review
and preparation of planning projects. Six (6) public hearings were
held to obtain the public views on Zoning Ordinance amendments,
Subdivision Ordinance amendments, Water and Sewerage Plan amendments,
and a natural gas pipeline route.
The final category "Public Meetings," includes participation with
local elected and planning officials, the Washington County Historic
District Commission, Advisory Board, regional organizations, various
state and federal officials, and others involved with the County's
planning program. These type meetings occurred on 102 occassions
during the year.
Realizing the need to communicate with the public on all planning
matters, the Commission and staff will continue to be accessible for
exchange of information and seek new and improved means to assure
that the public's involvement increases in the coming year.
21
The Outlook for 1976
The coming year offers the opportunity for a significant level of
accomplishment of activities integral to the County's planning
program and objectives.
Items to be given priority during 1976, which will improve the
planning process within the County are as follows:
1. Completion of the current work program
particularly the revision of the Comprehen-
sive Plan, and implementation of plan
policies through land use control amend-
ment and other measures as necessary.
2. A consolidated County -Municipal approach
to capital improvements programming is vitally
needed to obtain maximum non -local funding,
and to assure that immediate and longer range
capital improvement needs may be planned and
provided in an orderly and efficient fashion,
within the financial resources of the County
and its municipalities.
3. Efforts to maximize public involvement in the
planning process will be continued and expanded
to assure that County planning is responsive to
and representative of the County's residents.
4. Liaison and cooperation with municipal plan-
ning commissions, particularly Hagerstown, must
be continued and strengthened, in recognition of
the fact that one jurisdiction's activities may
have an affect outside its geographical area of
planning responsibility.
5. A positive approach to tax incentives for
historic preservation measures will serve to
assist in safeguarding the heritage of Wash-
ington County, and preserve areas that reflect
elements of the County's cultural, social,• and
economic history.
22