Formerly located at Cambridge-Dorchester Regional Airport, 5263 Bucktown Road, Cambridge, the Department of Economic Development moved to 104 Tech Park Drive, Cambridge, in February 2017.
Matters relating to planning and zoning are governed by both State and County laws. The Maryland Forest Conservation Act, for example, requires all county governments to adopt local forest conservation programs (Chapter 255, Acts of 1991; Code Natural Resources Article, secs. 5-1601 through 5-1613).
The five members of the Board are appointed to five-year terms by the County Council (Code Agriculture Article, sec. 2-504.1; County Code, secs. 80-1 through 80-3).
AGRICULTURAL RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE
Appointed to three-year terms by the Board of County Commissioners, the Committee consists of five members (County Code, secs. 127-1 through 127-9).
PLANNING COMMISSION
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
The Board is composed of five members appointed to three-year terms by the County Council (Code Land Use Article, secs. 4-101 through 4-406; County Code, secs. 62-11; 155-18 through 155-20).
© Copyright Maryland State Archives
AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD
The Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board advises the County Council on the establishment of agricultural districts and the approval of purchases of easements within the County by the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation.
The Agricultural Reconciliation Committee arbitrates and mediates disputes involving agricultural operations conducted on agricultural lands. The Committee issues opinions on whether such operations conform with generally accepted agricultural management practices.
The Planning Commission consists of seven members appointed to five-year terms by the County Council (Code Land Use Article, secs. 2-101 through 3-304; County Code, secs. 155-14 through 155-17).
The Board of Zoning Appeals hears and decides appeals where it is alleged there is any error in any zoning order, requirement, decision, or determination. It also interprets district boundaries on official zoning maps. Upon appeal, in specific cases, the Board may authorize such variances as will not be contrary to the public interest where, owing to special conditions, a literal enforcement would result in unnecessary hardship or practical difficulty.
Maryland Constitutional Offices & Agencies
Maryland Departments
Maryland Independent Agencies
Maryland Executive Commissions, Committees, Task Forces, & Advisory Boards
Maryland Universities & Colleges
Maryland Counties
Maryland Municipalities
Maryland at a Glance
Maryland Manual On-Line
Search the Manual
e-mail: mdmanual@mdarchives.state.md.us