Derrick Babcock

The agenda for the Worcester County Planning Commission meeting included administrative matters such as reviewing minutes from January 8, 2026, and February 5, 2026, as well as reviewing agendas for upcoming Board of Zoning Appeals and Technical Review Committee meetings. Key operational discussions involved a Major Site Plan Review for Park Place Villas, a proposed twelve-unit multi-family residential development, and an Amended Rezoning Case No. 452 involving a parcel near Ocean City. Note: The documents provided contain multiple dates (Agendas for March 5, 2026; Minutes for January 8, 2026, and February 5, 2026; Notice of Public Hearing for March 12, 2026; Agenda for Technical Review Committee on March 11, 2026). The primary document context points to the March 5, 2026 Agenda.

The meeting commenced with a closed session for discussing legal and personnel matters, including updates on promotions and new hires within Recreation and Parks, Water and Wastewater Division, and the County Jail, as well as receiving legal advice. In the open session, the commissioners handled several consent agenda items, approving a Memorandum of Understanding for a Circuit Court security grant, declining an offer for surplus property, awarding a bid for a library digital sign replacement, approving a request to bid housing rehabilitation professional services, and approving parking lot light installation at the Northern Worcester Athletic Complex. The commissioners agreed to send a letter to the federal delegation seeking assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding World War II era unexploded ordnances washing up on the beach. They approved the distribution of the Worcester County Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund Plan following a public hearing. Legislative actions included voting to request a legislative change to increase the number of members on the Worcester County Board of License Commissioners from three to five and voting to pursue legislation to create a temporary to-go event permit. The commissioners reviewed a text amendment application concerning the third parking space requirement for short-term rental properties, resulting in an agreement to schedule a public hearing on the proposed bill. Additionally, they introduced a bond bill to secure USDA funding for the Lewis Road sewer extension project and appointed Teresa Purnell Milbourne to the Planning Commission. New staff members were introduced, and appreciation was expressed for customer service provided by a Transfer Station Attendant.

The meeting began with a closed session to discuss legal and personnel matters, including potential board appointments. Key actions during the open session involved presenting a proclamation recognizing National Mentoring Month and a commendation for a retiring supervisor with 40 years of service. The commissioners approved consent agenda items, including out-of-state travel for Recreation and Parks staff to a conference and for Sheriff's Tactical Armed Response Team members for hostage rescue training. A request from the Town of Snow Hill for a letter of support regarding a grant application for battery storage infrastructure was denied due to safety concerns regarding current fire suppression technology. The board accepted a proposal to lease a plotter/scanner, approved over-expenditures for intern salary/benefits, and authorized discussions with the Town of Berlin for sewer access at an athletic complex. Payments for groundwater monitoring services at the Central Landfill were approved, along with an intergovernmental loan for a sewer project and an extra work order for another sewer project. The board also approved over-expenditures within the Water and Wastewater Enterprise Fund. A public hearing was conducted regarding the proposed Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund (CRRF) Plan for cannabis-related revenues, with clarifications provided on grant eligibility and expenditure timelines. The commissioners concurred with the rezoning related to the Town of Snow Hill's annexation request. Several appointments were made to various county boards, including the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Council, Commission for Women, and Housing Review Board. An over-expenditure was approved to replace a totaled emergency response vehicle. Finally, staff were directed to develop a plan, including cost estimates, for installing speed humps on Gum Point Road.

The meeting included a closed session to discuss legal and personnel matters, including hiring a communications specialist trainee and a landfill operator, and transferring a Youth Services Specialist. In open session, the commissioners presented proclamations recognizing February as Black History Month and Children's Dental Health Month. Consent agenda items approved included out-of-state travel for deputies, a letter to the US Army Corps of Engineers regarding a Water Resources Study update, a Small Project Agreement for water and sewer service extension, scheduling a public hearing to accept Beach Tree Road into the Inventory of Public Roads, and an over-expenditure within the Recycling Division Overtime Pay account. The request to award the purchase of a breaching tool to Chesapeake Fire & Rescue for $38,230 was approved. An over-expenditure of $76,632.42 was approved to place an ammunition order for FY27 using the State bid. Following a speed study, the speed limit on Cathell Road was reduced from 40 mph to 35 mph. The commissioners voted 6-1 to award the purchase and installation of a steel frame pavilion at Bishopville Park for $46,000, rejecting the lower-cost wood frame option. Both FY27 Rural Legacy Area grant applications for Dividing Creek RLA and Bishopville-Showell RLA were authorized for signing, with a preference stated for the Dividing Creek RLA. Jennifer PFlaumer was appointed to the Library Board of Trustees. The commissioners agreed to provide testimony on several legislative bills, supporting SB 300 and HB 460, and opposing HB 99, HB 203, HB 239, and HB 257, as recommended by staff.

The meeting agenda focused on site plan reviews for three distinct projects. The first project, 9529 Stephen Decatur Highway, involved a Minor Site Plan Review for a proposed asphalt area and fencing for secured vehicle storage. The second, the 589 Group Project, was a Major Site Plan Review for a commercial shopping center and contractor shops, which is subject to the 'Southern MD 589 Regional Water & Sewer Plan.' The third, Park Place Villas, was also a Major Site Plan Review for a proposed twelve-unit multi-family residential development. Various departmental comments were documented regarding these submissions, including requirements for landscaping, setbacks, utility connections (water and sewer), fire safety provisions, and adherence to specific zoning code sections and design guidelines. A warning was also issued regarding potential email scams requesting wire transfers for fees.