HomeMy WebLinkAboutH_2024_Annual ReportAnnual Report Worksheet
Reporting (Calendar) Year 2024
For counties or municipalities issuing 50 or more residential permits
1
Revised 02/14/2025
INSTRUCTIONS
Each Planning Commission/Board must approve an Annual Report for the reporting calendar
year 2024 (January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024, as required under §1-207(b) of the Land Use
Article. In addition, the Annual Report shall be filed with the local legislative body and the
Maryland Department of Planning (MDP), via email to david.dahlstrom@maryland.gov and cc:
to mdp.planreview@maryland.gov. Hardcopy will no longer be accepted.
A jurisdiction may use the attached template form, or any of the previous Annual Report forms.
The Land Use Article requirements have not changed for calendar year 2024, however, the
templates have been modified to address the new reporting requirements for local jurisdictions
with at least 150,000 residents. These changes are generally limited to Section V, Part A, and
the new Section V, Part B, to address the provisions of HB131 and Land Use Article §7–105.
Section I- New Residential Permits, and Section II- Amendments and Growth-Related
Changes, are required by all local jurisdictions.
Section III- Development Capacity Analysis, is required every three years.
Section IV- Locally Funded Agriculture Preservation, is required for counties only.
Section V – Measures and Indicators, is required for jurisdictions reporting more than 50 new
residential permits in Section I. If new permit data is not available, MDP will accept new
occupancy data, provided the jurisdiction describes this deviation in its submission.
Section B is new for CY2024 and applies only to a local jurisdiction with at least 150,000
residents.
Section VI- Adequate Public Facility Ordinances, is required every two years for jurisdictions
with adopted Adequate Public Facility Ordinances (APFOs). Jurisdictions may delete this Section
from their report if they have not adopted an APFO.
Section VII – Planning Survey Questions is optional.
Annual Report Worksheet
Reporting (Calendar) Year 2024
For counties or municipalities issuing 50 or more residential permits
2
Revised 02/14/2025
Section I: New Residential Permits Issued (Inside and Outside the PFA)
(§1-208(c)(1)(i) and (c)(3)(ii))
(A) In Table 1, New Residential Permits Issued (Inside and Outside the PFA) below, enter the number
of new residential building permits issued in calendar year (2024). Enter 0 if no new residential
building permits were issued in 2024.
Table 1: New Residential Permits Issued
Inside and Outside the Priority Funding Area (PFA)
Residential – Calendar Year 2024 PFA Non - PFA Total
New Residential Permits Issued 121 61 182
Note: If new residential permit data is not available or tracked, jurisdictions are encouraged to begin a process to track the number of new
residential permits approved. MDP will accept new residential occupancy permits as a substitute for new residential permits, provided that
the jurisdiction represents the data as new occupancy permits, rather than new residential permits, in this template or other reporting
form submitted to MDP. Similarly, if permitting data that specifies within and without of the PFA is not available, and the jurisdiction
submits data related to a locally defined growth area, instead of PFAs, then the jurisdiction should consider a future process to track
permits within the PFA. MDP will accept permit or occupancy data specific to a locally defined growth area, provided that the jurisdiction
represents the data as such in this template or other reporting form submitted to MDP, rather than as PFA.
Section II: Amendments and Growth Related Changes In Development Patterns
(§1-207(c)(1) through (c)(4))
Note: Growth related changes in development patterns are changes in land use, zoning, transportation capacity
improvements, new subdivisions, new schools or school additions, or changes to water and sewer service areas.
(A) Were any new comprehensive plan or plan elements adopted? If yes, briefly summarize what
was adopted. Y N
No new comprehensive plan or plan elements were formally adopted during 2024. The
second draft of the 2040 Washington County Comprehensive Plan was released for ninety (90)
day public comment in July 2024. Staff reviewed comments and revised the document. The
Washington County Planning Commission held a public hearing in January 2025 and further
revised the Plan before recommending approval of the Plan to the Board of County
Commissioners. The BOCC public hearing is scheduled for June 3, 2025.
(B) Were there any amendments to zoning regulations or zoning map? If yes, briefly summarize
each amendment, include an updated zoning map, and/or GIS shapefile, if available.
Y N
Annual Report Worksheet
Reporting (Calendar) Year 2024
For counties or municipalities issuing 50 or more residential permits
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Revised 02/14/2025
RZ-23-006
• Piecemeal application – Zoning Ordinance map amendment to create a Rural Business
floating zone over 2.0 acres, located on the south side of Reidtown Road, west of Marsh
Pike. The property, located at 19815 Reidtown Road, will be used for an Auto Body Repair
Shop. The underlying zoning is Rural Village.
RZ-23-007
• Piecemeal application – Zoning Ordinance map amendment to create a Historic
Preservation District overlay on part of a parcel located on the east side of Smithsburg Pike.
The request is for 2.46 acres, located at 13215 Smithsburg Pike. The underlying zoning is
Agricultural Rural.
RZ-23-008
• Piecemeal application – Zoning Ordinance map amendment to rezone two parcels located
on the east side of South Artizan Street, south of Kenilworth Avenue from Highway
Interchange to Rural Transition. The properties, located at 429 and 431 South Artizan Street,
are 0.47 and 0.27 acres in size, respectively, and will be used for residential purposes.
RZ-24-001
• Text application - Zoning Ordinance text amendment to Section 23.4 pertaining to
removing high-density warehouses from the list of uses exempt from height limitations.
RZ-24-002
• Piecemeal application – Zoning Ordinance map amendment to create a Rural Business
floating zone over 6.82 acres (of the 50.28-acre parcel), located on a private lane on the
north side of National Pike, east of Saint Paul Road. The property, located at 12635 Flying
Duck Lane, will be used for a wood planner shop, agricultural equipment rental, produce
sales, woodstove sales and cemetery monument sales. The underlying zoning is Agricultural
Rural.
RZ-24-003
• Text application - Zoning Ordinance text amendment to Sections 3, 7A, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,
14, 19C & 28A to address the State legalization of adult-use cannabis and where the
dispensaries, processing facilities and growing facilities can be located.
Case
Number
RZ-23-006 Ralph E & Leah A Martin (Map) 19815 Reidtown Road 2.0 A(R) RB (AR) 2/13/2024
RZ-23-007 Jeffrey & Laura Unsworth (Map) 13215 Smithsburg Pike 2.46 A(R) A(R) HP 1/9/2024
RZ-23-008 Williamsport Storage Bins, Inc. 429/431 S. Artizan Street 0.74 HI RT 3/12/2024
RZ-24-001 Washington County Planning
Commission (Text)Section 23.4 (Warehouse height limitations) n/a n/a n/a 5/7/2024
RZ-24-002 John Halteman 12635 Flying Duck Lane 6.82 A(R) RB (AR) 11/19/2024
RZ-24-003 Washington County Planning
Commission (Text)
Sections 3, 7A, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 19C & 28A
(Cannabis)n/a n/a n/a 10/15/2024
Name Location Total Acres From Zone To Zone Decision Date
Annual Report Worksheet
Reporting (Calendar) Year 2024
For counties or municipalities issuing 50 or more residential permits
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Revised 02/14/2025
(C) Were there growth-related changes, including land use, annexations, zoning ordinance changes,
new schools, changes in water or sewer service areas, municipal annexations that changed
municipal or unincorporated area boundaries? If yes, describe or attach a map of the changes
and/or GIS shapefile, and describe how they are consistent with internal, state, or adjoining
jurisdiction plans.
Y N
Hagerstown Annexation: A-2024-01
• The ’55 West Oak Ridge’ annexation is located along the south side of West Oak Ridge
Drive, east of Downsville Pike, consists of 74.14 acres, and was effective on 5/17/2024.
County Zoning was Highway Interchange; new City Zoning is Industrial – Mixed Use.
Hagerstown Annexation: A-2024-003
• The ’45 West Oak Ridge’ annexation is located along the south side of West Oak Ridge
Drive, east of Downsville Pike, consists of 52.0 acres, and was effective on 8/23/2024. County
Zoning was Highway Interchange, new City Zoning is Industrial - Mixed Use.
Hagerstown Annexation: A-2024-004
• The ‘Heavens Heights Homes’ annexation is located along the north side of Southern
Boulevard, east of Villa Ridge Drive, consists of 12.08 acres, and was effective on 7/12/2024.
County Zoning was Residential Suburban, new City Zoning is Residential – Moderate Density.
WS-24-001
• Property owner request to change both Water and Sewer designations on a 24.11-acre piece
of property located in the southeast quadrant of MD-340 and Keep Tryst Road. A seven (7) lot
subdivision is planned for the parcel with current designation W-3/S-3. The request is to
change the designation to W-1/S-1. Administrative Amendment due to mapping error was
effective 6/10/2024.
WS-24-002
• Property owner request to change the Sewer designation on five (5) parcels (8.95 acres)
located in the northeast quadrant of MD-64 and MD-77. A multi-lot subdivision is planned for
the area with current sewer designation S-5. The request is to change the sewer designation
to S-3. Administrative Amendment due to mapping error was effective 7/23/2024.
WS-24-003
• Property owner request to change both Water and Sewer designations on a 9.73-acre piece
of property located at 15919 Spielman Road. Commercial development is planned for the
parcel with current designation W-5/S-5. The request is to change the designation to W-3/S-
3. Administrative Amendment due to mapping error was effective 11/5/2024.
WS-24-004
• Property owner request to change both Water and Sewer designations on a 99.24-acre piece
of property located at 16545 Cargo Drive. Industrial development is planned for the parcel
with current designation W-5/S-5. The request is to change the designation to W-3/S-3.
Administrative Amendment due to mapping error was effective 11/5/2024.
Annual Report Worksheet
Reporting (Calendar) Year 2024
For counties or municipalities issuing 50 or more residential permits
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Revised 02/14/2025
(D) If yes to municipal annexations, have copies of each adopted resolution been submitted to:
Georgeanne Carter, Legislative Counsel Municipal Resolution Reposition Department of
Legislative Services, 90 State Circle, Annapolis MD, 21401-1991? Y N
(E) Did your jurisdiction identify and/or implement recommendations, related to the following
general planning topics, to improve the local planning and/or development process? Please
select all that apply.
Y N
Green Infrastructure
Zoning Reform
Climate Change
Affordable/Workforce Housing
Equity
Resilience
Water/Air Quality
Water/Sewer Capacity
Brownfield Remediation
Revitalization and Infill
Bike/Ped Planning
Commercial Redevelopment
Sustainable Growth
Placemaking
Aging Population
Sensitive Area Preservation
Expedited Review for
Preferred Projects
Please describe any other planning improvements identified or implemented in 2024.
(F) Have all Planning (Commission/Board) and Board of Appeals members completed the Maryland
Planning Commissioners Association (MPCA) training course?
Y N
Annual Report Worksheet
Reporting (Calendar) Year 2024
For counties or municipalities issuing 50 or more residential permits
6
Revised 02/14/2025
Section III: Development Capacity Analysis (DCA)(§1-208(c)(1)(iii))
Note: MDP provides technical assistance to local governments in completing development capacity analyses.
Please contact your MDP regional planner for more information.
(A) Has an updated DCA been submitted with your annual report or to MDP within
the last three years? Y N
1. If no, explain why not, such as, no substantial growth changes.
The County’s development capacity analysis continues to be analyzed as part of the draft of
Washington County’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan which is scheduled for a Washington
County Board of County Commissioners public hearing on June 3, 2025. Once the 2040
Comprehensive Plan is adopted, a DCA will be submitted with that year’s annual report.
2. If yes, when was the last DCA submitted? Identify month and year:
Note: A DCA is not due if a comprehensive plan was updated in the past three
years (2021-2024). MDP recommends that jurisdictions share DCAs with local
school boards.
Was the DCA shared with the local school board facilities planner? Y N
(B) Using the most current DCA available, provide the following data on capacity inside and outside
the PFA in Table 2, Residential Development Capacity (Inside and Outside the PFA):
Table 2: Residential Development Capacity (Inside and Outside the PFA)
Parcels & Lots w/ Residential Capacity PFA Non – PFA Total
Residentially Zoned Acres w/ Capacity
Residential Parcel & Lots w/Capacity
Residential Capacity (Units)
Annual Report Worksheet
Reporting (Calendar) Year 2024
For counties or municipalities issuing 50 or more residential permits
7
Revised 02/14/2025
Section IV: (Locally) Funded Agricultural Land Preservation & Local Land Use
Goal (Counties Only) (§1-208(C)(1)(iv and v)
(A) How many acres were preserved using local agricultural land preservation funding? Enter 0 if
no land was preserved using local funds. Enter the value of local program funds, if available.
Table 3: Locally Funded Agricultural Land Preservation*
Local Preservation Program Type Acres Value ($)
MALPF Easements (6) 929.95 $4,545,507
Rural Legacy Easements (5) 544.13 $2,093,352
MARBIDCO (3) 501.02 $1,366,657
Total 1,975.10 $8,005,516
*State funded agricultural land preservation acres and values are not required to be reported as state funding is documented.
(B) What is the county’s established local land use percentage goal? This percentage should include
land uses within PFAs, not including PFA comment areas
Washington County does not have a percentage goal for land preservation efforts. We have
had a long-established acreage goal of 50,000 acres.
(C) What is the timeframe for achieving the local land use percentage goal? 20-30 Years.
(D) Has there been any progress in achieving the local land use percentage goal?
Yes, more than 41,000 acres of land has been permanently preserved across all programs since
the start of the County’s participation in agricultural land preservation over 40 years ago.
(E) What are the resources necessary (e.g. legislative actions (programs incentives), functional
planning, and capital funding) for infrastructure inside the PFAs?
Additional growth-related funding for water and sewer infrastructure projects, transportation
facilities, workforce housing, business development and neighborhood revitalization would
advance local needs within the community. Streamlining regulations that have similar goals but
require dedicated infrastructure to accomplish required mandates (i.e., programs that address
water quality) would also be beneficial.
Annual Report Worksheet
Reporting (Calendar) Year 2024
For counties or municipalities issuing 50 or more residential permits
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Revised 02/14/2025
(F) What are the resources necessary (e.g. legislative actions (program incentives and zoning
changes), preservation planning, and easement funding) for land preservation outside the PFAs?
a. Promote the Agricultural Preservation program(s) as a method to incentivize farmers to
preserve their land until funds become available for permanent easements.
b. Seek out permanent funding sources that can sustain agricultural easements and
development rights acquisition.
c. Place an emphasis on preserving large contiguous blocks of permanent farmland in excess of
1,000 acres by factoring this variable more heavily in the priority ranking system.
d. Implement strategies that deter land uses that would remove large blocks of prime
agricultural land from active farm production.
e. Promote start up assistance and provide educational awareness to inspire a new generation
of young farmers.
f. Provide and highlight additional agritourism opportunities for farmers to expand operations
with value added products and agricultural industry type uses.
Annual Report Worksheet
Reporting (Calendar) Year 2024
For counties or municipalities issuing 50 or more residential permits
9
Revised 02/14/2025
Section V, Part A: Measures and Indicators (§1-208(c)(1))
Note: Measures and Indicators, Section VII, is only required for jurisdictions issuing more than 50 new residential
building permits in the reporting year, as reported in Table 1.
Table 4A: Amount of Residential Growth (Inside and Outside the PFA)
Residential – Calendar Year 2024 PFA Non - PFA Total
1.Total Units Approved on an Existing Lot 3 7 10
2.Gross Acres of Existing Lots in Row 1 1.45 175.26 176.71
3.Net Acres of Existing Lots in Row 1 1.45 175.22 176.67
4.Total Minor Subdivisions Approved 5 11 16
5.Total Minor Subdivision Lots Approved 10 11 21
6.Total Residential Units Approved in Minor
Subdivisions*
10 11 21
7.Gross Acres of All Approved Minor Subdivisions 51.96 123.20 175.16
8.Net Lot Area** in Acres of All Approved Minor
Subdivisions
14.22 62.50 76.72
9.Total Major Subdivisions Approved 4 1 5
10.Total Major Subdivision Lots Approved 46 1 47
11.Total Residential Units Approved in Major
Subdivisions
397 36 433
12.Gross Acres of All Approved Major Subdivisions 69.77 86.8 156.57
13.Net Lot Area** in Acres of All Approved Major
Subdivisions
54.59 8.10 62.69
14.Total Residential Units Approved (Minor +
Major Subdivisions + Existing Lots)
410 54 464
15.Total Residential Units Constructed (CofO) 128 48 176
16.Total Residential Units Demolished*** 10 6 16
17.Total Residential Units
Reconstructed/Replaced***
3 4 7
* Residential units may be greater than lots if they include duplexes, triplexes. or multifamily
**Net lot area is the sum of all developed lots, minus open spaces and right-of-way, other publicly dedicated land.
***Not required.
Annual Report Worksheet
Reporting (Calendar) Year 2024
For counties or municipalities issuing 50 or more residential permits
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Revised 02/14/2025
Table 4B: Net Density of Residential Growth (Inside and Outside PFAs)
Residential – Calendar Year 2024 PFA Non – PFA Total
1.Total Units Approved on an Existing Lot 3 7 10
2.Total Gross Acres of Existing Lots in Row 1 1.45 175.26 176.71
3.Total Net Acres of Existing Lots in Row 1 1.45 175.22 176.67
4.Total Residential Units Approved (Major + Minor
Subdivisions + Existing Lots)
410 54 464
5.Total Approved Net Lot Area*
(Major + Minor Subdivisions + Existing Lots)
70.26 245.82 316.08
*Net lot area is the sum of all developed lots, minus open spaces and right-of-way, other publicly dedicated land.
Table 4C: Share of Residential Growth (Inside and Outside the PFA)
Residential – Calendar Year 2024 PFA Non – PFA Total
1.Total Units Approved on an Existing Lot 3 7 10
2.Gross Acres of Existing Lots in Row 1 1.45 175.26 176.71
3.Net Acres of Existing Lots in Row 1 1.45 175.22 176.67
4.Total Units Approved (Major + Minor Subdivisions +
Existing Lots + Units in Commercial Site Plans)
410 54 464
5. % of Total Units
(Approved Residential Units)
88.4% 11.6% 100%
Table 4D: Amount of Commercial Growth (Inside and Outside the PFA)
Commercial – Calendar Year 2024 PFA Non - PFA Total
Site Plans
1.Total # of Commercial Site Plans Approved 17 6 23
2.Gross Acres of All Approved Commercial Site Plans 45.3 11.26 56.56
3.Gross Building Area Approved in Square Feet for
Commercial Site Plans
241,103 113,910 355,013
Building Permits
5.Total Commercial Building Permits Issued 35 13 48
6.Gross Building Area Constructed in Square Feet for
issued Building Permits
388,711 79,542 468,253
7.Number of residential units approved as part of a
commercial site plan (mixed-use), if any. *Only applies
to jurisdictions with at least 150,000 residents
342 36 378
Annual Report Worksheet
Reporting (Calendar) Year 2024
For counties or municipalities issuing 50 or more residential permits
11
Revised 02/14/2025
Section VI: Adequate Public Facility Ordinance (APFO) Restrictions (§7-104)
(Section VI is only required by jurisdictions with adopted APFOs)
Note: Jurisdictions with adopted APFOs must submit a biennial APFO report. The APFO report is due by July 1 of
each even year and covers the reporting period for the previous two calendar years. APFO reports for 2023 and
2024 are due July 1, 2025. However, jurisdictions are encouraged to submit an APFO report on an annual basis.
(A) Does your jurisdiction have an adopted APFO? Y/N YES
If No, skip this Section.
If Yes, continue to (B).
(B) What type of infrastructure is monitored and may trigger development approval
restrictions or require a developer to address deficiencies? (List each for schools, roads,
water, sewer, stormwater, health care, fire, police or solid waste.)
The Washington County Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance applies to infrastructure including:
Roads, Schools, Sewage Disposal Systems, Water Supply and Distribution Systems and Fire
Protection.
(C) Has APFO impacted development approvals within the PFA? Y/N YES, the County’s current
APFO has impacted one (1) residential subdivision approval during the 2024 reporting period.
(D) If APFO has delayed, limited, or denied development, defined here as a “restriction”:
a. Are there infrastructure or service facility deficiencies that have triggered denials of
development requests, or held up development approvals? Y/N Yes, the state rated
capacity of the elementary school serving this residential development exceeds 140%
Note: This does not include APFO required developer-funded projects, or phased
development approvals due to APFO limitations, or APFO required study areas for
approval.
b. Can the impact area of facility deficiencies/ development restrictions, which
temporarily delay development approvals, be mapped? Y/N n/a
(E) If yes for (C)(b), where is each restriction located? (Identify on a map, including
PFA boundary.)
(F) Describe what is causing each restriction.
The following restrictions, due to the County’s APFO could be identified in the future.
• Schools: Many of the County’s school districts are over the designated school rated capacity
due to population growth and there are limited funds for new school construction.
• Roads: Many restrictions are in the rural areas where some roads are not considered adequate
by today’s standards.
• Sewer: Collection systems are aging and need upgrades. Availability of treatment capacity is
limited by water quality regulations.
Annual Report Worksheet
Reporting (Calendar) Year 2024
For counties or municipalities issuing 50 or more residential permits
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Revised 02/14/2025
• Water: Distribution systems are aging and need upgrades. Availability of water is limited by
permitting and water quality regulations.
• Fire: There are no restrictions currently.
(G) If applicable, what is the proposed resolution of each restriction?
The following are proposed resolutions to future restrictions:
• Schools: The County has adopted an Alternative Mitigation Contribution option for
development that pushes a school district over state rated capacity (up to 120%). Developers
can opt to pay a fee to help mitigate the impact of new development on school districts.
Changes to current Excise Tax regulations are being explored as a more equitably distributed
alternative to the AMC. Funds collected go towards expanding capacity in the educational
system.
• Roads: Restrictions are mitigated on a case-by-case basis.
• Sewer: Developers are required to install and/or upgrade infrastructure to service their
development. There is no local control that can resolve the issue of diminishing availability due
to State and Federal water quality regulations.
• Water: Same as Sewer
• Fire: No restrictions currently.
(H) If applicable, what is the estimated date to resolve each restriction?
All categories are mitigated on a case-by-case basis and have no established timeline for
resolution.
(I) If a development restriction has been addressed, what was the resolution that lifted each
restriction? n/a
(J) If a development restriction has been addressed, when was each restriction lifted? n/a