Public Hearings - CHR 1-2015 Rural Inn Special Exception

A public hearing was held today at 6:06 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Hearing Room, R. Clayton Mitchell Jr., County Government Center, Chestertown, Maryland, for Code Home Rule Bill No. 1-2015, Rural Inn Special Exception, which is AN ACT to amend Article V, Section 1.3 (Agricultural Zoning District Special Exceptions), Section 3.3 (Rural Character District Special Exceptions), Section 4.3 (Rural Residential Special Exceptions), Section 6.3 (Community Residential Special Exceptions), and 7.3 (Village District Special Exceptions); and to amend Article VII, Sections 6 (Special Exception Procedures) and 7 (Special Exceptions); and to amend Article XI, Section 2 (Definitions), of the Kent County Land Use Ordinance by adding a Rural Inn as a Special Exception use in the Agricultural, Rural Character, Rural Residential, Community Residential, and Village Zoning Districts, and providing performance standards relative thereto, and to define the use.

County Commissioners, Ronald Fithian and William Short were in attendance. Ernest A. Crofoot, County Administrator and County Attorney, Katrina Tucker Community Planner, Planning, Housing, and Zoning, and Michael and Danielle Hanscom were also in attendance.

Commissioner Short read the public notice into the record.

Commissioner Short invited comments and questions from the audience. Mr. Hanscom shared the intention of the submitted text amendment, and read the purpose as stated on the application. Mr. Hanscom also shared the major changes incorporated in the amendment.

Commissioner Short shared that a letter of support was received from Elizabeth Morris, Chairman, Planning Commission, dated February 19, 2015, on behalf of the Planning Commission. Ms. Morris shared that the Commission found that the proposed text amendment addresses a public need to support existing lodging establishments and to expand the opportunities for tourism and the hospitality industry in the County as it generates substantial revenues.

Written comments will be accepted in the Commissioners’ office until Monday, April 6, 2015, at 12:00 p.m.

A motion was made by Commissioner Fithian, seconded by Commissioner Short and carried to adjourn the public hearing by majority.

The hearing was taped for reference and the Commissioners adjourned the public hearing at 6:12 p.m.


Respectfully submitted,



Sondra M. Blackiston
Clerk

Approved:
William A. Short, Member
The County Commissioners
Of Kent County, Maryland