Public Hearings - CHR 7-2008, 8-2008 Day Care Groups, Public Local L

PUBLIC HEARING
CODE HOME RULE BILL NOs 7-2008, 8-2008

November 18, 2008

A public hearing was held today at 9:00 a.m. in the County Commissioners’ Hearing Room, County Government Center, Chestertown, Maryland on the following legislative bills:

Code Home Rule Bill No. 7-2008, which is an Act to amend the Kent County Land Use Ordinance by repealing and re-enacting Article XI (Definitions), Sections 2.79 (Day Care Group) and 2.80 (Day Care Home), in order to increase the number of children permitted in a day care home.

Code Home Rule Bill No. 8-2008, which is an Act to legalize the 2008 Supplements to the Code of Public Local Laws of Kent County (1994 Edition) published under the direction of the Board of Kent County Commissioners of Kent County and making provision for the publication, sale and distribution of supplements.

County Commissioners Roy Crow, Ronald Fithian, and William Pickrum, were in attendance as well as Susanne Hayman, County Administrator, Gail Owings, Director of Planning, approximately two interested persons and two members of the media.

Commissioner Crow read the Notice of Public Hearing into the record.

Correspondence dated September 11, was received from Elizabeth Morris, Chairman, Planning Commission, informing that at its September 4 meeting, the Planning Commission reviewed and initiated a zoning text amendment to amend Article XI (Definitions), Sections 2.79 and 2.80 of the Kent County Land Use Ordinance. The purpose of the amendment is to increase the number of children permitted in a day care home. Specifically, the following text change is proposed:

2.79 Day Care Group- A licensed home or agency that regularly provides supervision for none or more children
2.80 Day Care Home- The provision of supplemental parental care and supervision for eight or fewer children.

The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of zoning text amendment based on the following:

- The application is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan.
- Adding two children to a home day care will not impact neighboring properties.
- A public need exists for additional day care in Kent County.
- The amendment language is consistent with the requirements of the State Code of Maryland Regulations governing “Family Daycare”.


Ms. Owings stated that this amendment is being made in order to be consistent with State definitions and regulations.

Commissioner Crow reminded that Code Home Rule 7-2008 was brought about as a result of citizen requests made.

There was no one in attendance who wished to speak for or against Code Home Rule Bill No. 7-2008 or Code Home Rule Bill No. 8-8008.

This hearing was taped for reference and adjourned at 9:15 a.m.

Third reading of these proposed legislative bills will be held on December 2, the next legislative day.

THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND


Janice F. Fletcher
Executive Assistant

Approved:

Roy W. Crow, President