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).
Under the Office are six divisions: Cultural Resources; Development; Long-Range Planning; Research and GIS; Transportation Planning; and Zoning. The Office also is aided by the Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board; the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Transformation Functional Master Plan; the Glen Burnie Town Center Advisory Committee; the Odenton Town Plan Oversight Committee; and the Planning Advisory Board.
The Advisory Board is composed of five members who are appointed to five-year terms by the County Council (Code Agriculture Article, sec. 2-504.1).
PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD
Seven members constitute the Board. They are appointed to five-year terms by the County Executive who names the Chair (Code Land Use Article, secs. 2-101 through 2-105; County Charter, secs. 532, 533).
SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
The Soil Conservation District Board of Supervisors consists six members who serve five-year terms. Five members are appointed by the State Soil Conservation Committee, and one is appointed by the County Executive with County Council consent (Code Agriculture Article, secs. 8-301 through 8-312).
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors consists of eleven members, who serve two-year terms. Six are appointed by the County Executive; and five are elected by the Board of Directors.
OFFICE OF PLANNING & ZONING
The Office of Planning and Zoning plans the physical growth and development of Anne Arundel County. The Office revises the County General Plan; updates rules governing subdivision of property; reviews and revises zoning laws that regulate the use of property; and administers the subdivision code and the zoning ordinance.
Office of Planning & Zoning, Heritage Office Complex, 2664 Riva Road, Annapolis, Maryland, March 2017. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
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 Planning Advisory Board reviews proposed capital projects annually, and also reviews the General Development Plan, Small Area Plans, and various facility master plans, such as the Solid Waste Master Plan and the Water and Sewer Master Plan.
A soil conservation district constitutes a political subdivision of the State, and a public body corporate and politic, excercising public powers. The District's Board of Supervisors conducts surveys, investigations, and research relating to the character of soil erosion. Within the District, the Board carries out preventive and control measures, including engineering operations, cultivation methods, the growing of vegetation, changes in land use, and other measures.
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