CHARLES COUNTY, MARYLAND

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

PLANNING

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & GROWTH MANAGEMENT

County Government Building, 200 Baltimore St., La Plata, Maryland, May 2004. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Today, the Department's four divisions include Administrative Operations; Codes, Permits, and Inspection Services; Planning; and Transit. Also, the Department is aided by the Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board; the Agricultural Reconciliation Committee; the Planning Commission; and the Board of [Zoning] Appeals.

AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD
The Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board advises the County Commissioners on the establishment of agricultural districts and the approval of purchases of easements within the County by the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation.

Composed of five members, the Advisory Board in Charles County is appointed to four-year terms by the County Commissioners (Code Agriculture Article, sec, 2-504.1; County Code, secs. 215-1 through 215-9).

AGRICULTURAL RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE
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.

Appointed to four-year terms by the County Commissioners, the Committee consists of five members (County Code, secs. 235-1 through 235-5).

PLANNING COMMISSION
The Planning Commission consists of seven members appointed to four-year terms by the County Commissioners (Code Land Use Article, secs. 2-101 through 3-304; County Code, secs. 200-1 through 200-3).

SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
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.

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 Board of County Commissioners (Code Agriculture Article, secs. 8-301 through 8-312).

BOARD OF [ZONING] APPEALS
The Board of 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.

Appointed by the County Commissioners, the Board of Appeals is composed of five members and one alternate who serve three-year terms (Code Land Use Article, secs. 4-101 through 4-406; County Code, secs. 150-1 through 150-3).

TRANSIT DIVISION
The Transit Division began as the Transportation Division under the Department of Community Services, and in July 2010 was renamed the Transportation and Community Programs Division, when it became responsible for programs of the Local Management Board. In July 2016, it reorganized as the Transportation Division and transferred to the Department of Planning and Growth Management. In April 2018, the Division was renamed the Transit Division.

The Division offers public transportation through its VanGO bus service.

VANGO
VanGO is a public transportation system, operated by a private firm under contract with County government. VanGo provides bus service to the College of Southern Maryland, the St. Charles Towne Center Mall, employment locations, medical facilities, and numerous shopping centers. Routes cover Waldorf, St. Charles, La Plata, Indian Head, Charlotte Hall, Newburg, and Nanjemoy, and link up with the St. Mary's Transit System in Charlotte Hall.

Specialized transportation is available for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

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