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).
Appointed by the County Executive with County Council consent, the five members of the Advisory Board serve five-year terms (Code Agriculture Article, sec. 2-504.1).
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Appointed by the County Executive with County Council consent, the Commission consists of eleven members and two alternates who serve three-year terms. The County Executive names the Chair (Code Land Use Article, secs. 8-101 through 8-501; Code Local Government Article, sec. 10-325; County Code, secs. 9-176.17 through 9-176.24).
PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD
The Board consists of five members appointed to four-year terms by the County Executive with County Council consent. The County Executive names the Chair (Code Land Use Article, secs. 2-101 through 3-304; County Charter, sec. 406; County Code, secs. 9-109 through 9-115).
BOARD OF [ZONING] APPEALS
The County Council constitutes the Board of Appeals (Code Land Use Article, secs. 4-101 through 4-406; Code Local Government Article, sec. 10-305; County Code, sec. 267-9).
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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 Historic Preservation Commission advises the County Executive on the protection, enhancement, and perpetuation of structures and sites that represent or reflect elements of the County's cultural, social, economic, political and architectural history. In this way, the Commission works to ensure that historical and architectural qualities of County historic landmarks are preserved, and to foster civic pride in the beauty and noble accomplishments of the County's historic and cultural heritage. In addition, the Commission maintains and updates the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties for Harford County; and reviews all petitions for designation to the Harford County Register of Historic Places and submits recommendations to the County Council.
To the Director of Planning and the County Council, the Planning Advisory Board makes recommendations relating to master plans, zoning maps, and rules and regulations
relating to planning and zoning. At the request of the County Executive, the Board considers a list of all capital projects and the capital improvement program which all agencies of the County government propose to undertake in the ensuing fiscal year and the next succeeding five fiscal years thereafter. At least once every eight years, the Board prepares general guidelines for use by the Department of Planning and Zoning in the preparation or revision of master plans.
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.
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