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Allegany County Comprehensive Plan
 Streamlining & Flexibility Element

Purpose

The Streamlining And Flexibility Element is the final section of the Allegany County Comprehensive Plan. The Plan Element includes specific recommendations for streamlining review, providing flexible regulations and encouraging economic development in designated growth areas.

The Plan Element is intended to be a guide to encourage streamlined review of applications for development, including both permit review and subdivision plat review within areas designated for growth in the Plan. The Element is also intended to encourage the use of flexible development regulations to promote innovative and cost saving site design to protect the environment. Finally, the Element is designed to encourage economic development in areas designated for growth in the plan through the use of innovative land planning techniques.

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Policies for Streamlining the Regulatory Process &
Providing Flexibility in Reviewing Development Plans,
Permit Applications and Subdivision Plats

1 . Develop a computerized permit system to simplify permit review procedures and issue local permits in a timely manner. This includes development of a network of computer systems between the Permits Division and other agencies including:

  • Health Department
  • Public Works
  • Roads Division
  • Utilities Division
  • Soil Conservation District

2. Study the consolidation of permit review procedures by various County and Municipal agencies through a one-stop permit application and inspection procedure and develop a one stop fee payment schedule.

3. Improve bonding requirements to include one overall bond for major projects.

4. Study the creation of financial incentives to encourage residential subdivision development in or near existing or new population centers by assisting with the provision of utilities and road construction in new subdivisions.

5. Schedule and coordinate joint review sessions with other agencies on major development projects and Major Subdivision Plats.

6. Create an abbreviated review procedure for permits for lots in approved subdivisions.

7. Build and maintain a data base showing the location of historic sites, sensitive areas, easements, wetlands, and mineral resource areas to inform the public of potential problems associated with development in these areas.

8. Monitor Land Use Permits and Subdivision Plats on a monthly basis and include permit and subdivision data in the Annual Report. This information will be used with other data to justify future modifications to the Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Regulations.

9. Encourage industrial and business development in appropriate areas through financial assistance for the provision of public utilities and roads.

 

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Streamlined Review Procedure for Subdivision Plats in Designated Growth Areas

1 . Schedule joint subdivision review with other agencies on Major Subdivisions.

2. Improve Subdivision Agreement forms to allow for the following:

Bonding for improvements Subdividers' fund for improvements

3. Create an abbreviated review process for subdivisions in Commercial or Industrial Parks where utilities and roads are installed by the County.

4. Study the provision of financial assistance for the installation of improvements in Major Subdivisions within designated growth areas.

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Flexible Development Regulations in Designated Growth Areas

1 Phase urban development with the provision of water and sewer service in conjunction with recommendations in the County Master Plan for Water & Sewer.

2. Provide for Planned Developments which allow mixed uses.

3. Provide for the transfer of development rights from sensitive areas and mineral

resource areas to growth areas.

4. Create more flexible setback and density requirements.

  • Allow some variances to be approved at the staff level.
  • Allow increased density by clustering development where public water, sewer and other services are available.

5. Provide for greater flexibility for minor commercial uses in General Urban and Residentially zoned areas.

  • Provide for multi-employee home occupations.
  • Permit larger sized accessory structures on residential lots.
  • Require parking, noise and other standards be met when commercial uses are allowed in these districts.

 

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Economic Development in Designated Growth Areas

1 . Zone appropriate lands for exclusive Commercial and Industrial Development.

2. Continue to purchase and develop appropriate lands for Industrial Park/Commercial Center Development.

3. Encourage Institutional uses that provide employment opportunities to locate in designated Growth Areas.

4. Modify the Subdivision Regulations to provide for an abbreviated review procedure for the creation of lots within exclusively zoned commercial and industrial sites.

5. Assist with financing for the provision of roads, public water and sewer service to Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional lands in designated Growth Areas.

6. Develop a Capital Improvement Program to coordinate the provision of services to these sites.

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Design Review Board

1 . Create a Design Review Board to review development proposals, particularly within the I-68 and Rt. 220 Corridors.

  • This board would review development plans for Land Use proposals at Freeway Interchanges and within the scenic corridor of I-68 and Rt. 220.
  • The Board would also be available to review other major development proposals as requested by the County.
  • The Board would be advisory in nature, but would work through the County Plan Review and Permits Section to assure that design standards are met.

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Additional Sections of the Allegany County Comprehensive Plan:

Flexibity & Streamlining Element

Land Use Plan Element

Mineral Resources Element

Transportation Element

Sensitive Areas Element

Visions, Goals, & Objectives

Revised July 31, 1997

 

Last Updated:  Friday, November 07, 2003 06:57:00 PM
Allegany County Planning Division
Allegany County Office Complex
701 Kelly Road, 1st Floor
Cumberland, Maryland 21502
Telephone: 301-777-2199
Email: planning@allconet.org