The Board of Garrett County Commissioners has released a draft land use ordinance with a goal of encouraging county property owners and county stakeholders to examine and provide comment on the working document. Unlike Euclidian Zoning, virtually all land uses would be permitted in all areas of the county under the ordinance with the exception of the Deep Creek Lake area which has had comprehensive zoning since 1975. Uses that may impose adverse impacts on surrounding properties may be subject to a “Special Exception” review process.
A desire to proactively address complex issues such as the continued interest and impact of future industrial wind development to natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale formation has been the catalyst for the development of the draft ordinance. Attempts to establish fundamental set backs and decommissioning standards for industrial wind development have repeatedly failed to be passed into law in the last four years by the State Legislature.
“As the face of Garrett County is changing, we need open discussion on what we want our county to look like and where we want to be in our economic future,” said Chairman Jim Raley.
After four public work sessions, the Board decided at its regular meeting on May 1, 2012 to release the draft ordinance for a 45 day public comment period which will end on June 15, 2012. The Board invites written public comment and as comment is received it will be posted on the County website, www.garrettcounty.org.
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