![[photo, County Administration Building (from Main St.), Gov. Oden Bowie Drive, Upper Marlboro, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/36loc/pg/images/1198-1-06373b.jpg)
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 Department of Planning oversees four divisions: Community Planning, Countywide Planning, Development Review, and Information Management (County Charter, secs. 701-715).
County Administration Building (from Main St.), Gov. Oden Bowie Drive, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, April 2014. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
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; County Code, secs. 30-104 through 30-305).
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Appointed by the County Executive with County Council consent to three-year terms, the Commission consists of nine members. The County Executive names the chair and vice-chair with County Council consent (Code Land Use Article, secs. 8-101 through 8-501; County Code, secs. 29-105 through 29-120.01).
PLANNING BOARD
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).
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
Appointed by the County Executive with County Council consent, the Board of Appeals consists of three members who serve three-year terms (Code Land Use Article, secs. 4-101 through 4-406; County Code, sec. 27-229 through 27-234).
The Historic Preservation Commission conducts research in historic resources and recommends to the Planning Board that certain sites be designated as historic sites or historic districts in the master plan for historic preservation. The Commission also maintains and updates an inventory of historic resources; and recommends programs and legislation to the County Council and the Planning Board to encourage historic preservation in the Maryland-Washington Regional District.
The Board consists of five members appointed to four-year terms by the County Executive with County Council consent (Code Land Use Article, secs. 2-101 through 3-304; County Code, sec. 2-112.07).
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 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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