Calvert Board Approves Blueprint for Solomons

Requisite Laws May Be Sticking Point

The Calvert County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a revised master plan for the Solomons town center Tuesday but said the process to draw up the laws needed to set the document in motion might not go as smoothly.

The plan, a guide for development in the area, is an updated version of a document adopted in 1986. The county had held at least nine public meetings and discussions since 2007 before making the revisions.

"The plan itself is easy," said Commissioner Gerald W. Clark (R-Lusby). "When we start getting to the regulations . . . that is where the meat is."

The revised master plan follows the original document closely, aiming to preserve the look and feel of a historic village while protecting residential areas and environmental assets. The plan also encourages a mix of land uses but says they should be compatible with the current appearance.

Suggestions in the plan include preserving and maintaining historic buildings, conducting traffic studies to enhance pedestrian and vehicular transportation, creating more environmentally friendly areas and structures, and adding sidewalks.

The county's Department of Planning and Zoning is working with its Planning Commission to review some contentious issues related to the new plan. They include the reevaluation of zoning and land uses and planning for more effective buffers between commercial and residential properties and setbacks from property lines, said Gregory Bowen, Calvert's planning director.

"Interference between the residential and the commercial [properties] was one of the issues expressed," said Bowen, who told commissioners that he hopes to have a draft of the zoning ordinances for them to review next month.

The plan also calls for a countywide noise ordinance, which would require the General Assembly's approval. Commissioner Linda L. Kelley (R-At Large) said that such an ordinance is being considered for the county's agenda for next year's legislative session.

"The original master plan was embraced by citizens who tended to be the driving force" in having new developments follow the plan, Clark said. He said he hopes the community will also keep the new plan relevant.

"Unfortunately, this is a plan," he said, and to meet its objectives, "it will take a lot of community support and governmental support."

There are seven town centers in Calvert, including the one in Solomons, and all of their master plans will be discussed in the coming years. Talks on St. Leonard's town center are to begin this fall.