Comprehensive Planning
The Planning Commission's Final Draft of the New Comprehensive Development Plan is available for comment and review. Please note that Chapter 5 complies with Maryland House Bill 1141, which requires that all Maryland jurisdictions adopt a Water Resources Element as part of their Comprehensive Plan. The official guidance for preparing a Water Resources Element (Models and Guidelines 26) can be downloaded at: http://www.mdp.state.md.us/order_publications.htm. The public may download the chapters by clicking on the following links:
Chapter 1) An Introduction
Chapter 2) Background Information
Chapter 3) County-wide Land-Use
Chapter 4) Deep Creek Influence Area Land Use
Chapter 5) Water Resources Element
Chapter 6) Transportation Element
Chapter 7) Sensitive Areas
Chapter 8) Community Facilities
Chapter 9) Housing
Chapter 10) Mineral Resources Element
Chapter 11) Economic Development
Appendix A-Supplemental Material
Appendix B-Deep Creek Lake Water Quality
Appendix C-LPPRP
Appendix E: Source Water Protection Plan
Each of the Chapter names is a link to the document. Further information may be obtained in the Planning Office at 301-334-1920. To view the Land Use map found in Chapter 3 separately please click here.
The Garrett County Planning Commission will sponsor a public information meeting beginning at 7:00 p.m. on March 3, 2008 at the Garrett College Auditorium. The purpose of this meeting is to provide an opportunity for the public to review and comment on Chapters, 5 thru 11 of the Draft New Comprehensive Development Plan. These 7 chapters include: Chapter 5, Water Resources Element: Chapter 6, Transportation Element; Chapter 7, Sensitive Areas Element; Chapter 8, Community Facilities Element; Chapter 9, Housing Element; Chapter 10, Mineral Resources Element and Chapter 11, Economic Development Element. Our Consultant, ERM, will provide a presentation on these 7 chapters and a question and comment period will be provided immediately following the presentation. A public news release will appear in the local newspapers and on local radio stations in the near future. Further information may be obtained in the Planning Office at 301-334-1920.
A new Comprehensive Plan is in the process of being developed by ERM Consultants. A public meeting was held on June 26, 2006. To view the powerpoint presentation that was shown at the public meeting please click here. On November 30, 2006 a second public meeting was conducted to present draft development capacity analysis and growth projections for Garrett County. To view the growth projections and capacity analysis click on the following:
Growth Projections
DRAFT Garrett County Development Capacity Analysis
Public comment is very important to the successful completion of the Comprehensive Planning Process. Citizen comment that has been received will be posted to this website and may be viewed using the following link:
Comprehensive Plan Citizens Correspondence
As a result of public comments submitted regarding the draft growth projections a revised memo was prepared entitled Revised Growth Scenarios and
Non-Residential Development Estimates. This revised memo was endorsed by the Garrett County Planning Commission during their regular meeting on February 7, 2007. The commission endorsed this memo as the
basis for moving forward on the analyses to be performed for the Comprehensive Plan. To view the revised growth scenario memo click on the following:
Revised Growth Scenarios and
Non-Residential Development Estimates
Representatives from the Maryland Department of Planning shared a powerpoint presentation at the November Planning Commission meeting. That powerpoint can be viewed by clicking on the following link: MDP Power-point Presentation to Planning Commission 11/1/06
The Garrett County Planning Commission conducted two additional public meetings on February 26, 2007 and February 27, 2007 at Garrett College in McHenry. To view specific information regarding these two meetings please click on the following:
Public Information Meetings News Release
Summary of Comments Regarding the Visioning Process for
the Garrett County Comprehensive Plan
To view the powerpoint presentation shown at the February 27th meeting click on the follwoing:
DCL Water Quality Presentation
The Garrett County Planning Commission conducted a public hearing regarding rural issues on Tuesday March 27, 2007. To view specific information regarding this meeting please click the following:
March 27, 2007 Meeting News Release
To view the powerpoint presentation shown at the March 27th meeting please click here: March 27th Rural Issues Presentation
A questionnaire was distributed at the March 27th meeting. To view the results please click below:
Rural Issues Questionnaire Results
On May 4 & 5, 2007 the Garrett County Planning & Land Development Office as well as their consultants, ERM, sponsored a workshop focusing on the future of McHenry. The public is invited to attend. To view the press release please click HERE.
To view the final draft of the Garrett County
Deep Creek Lake
Assessment of Water Quality
Impacts from Potential Land
Development document, please click on the following:
Garrett County Deep Creek Lake Assessment of Water Quality Impacts from Potential Land Development
During the June 2007 meeting of the Planning Commission the Comprehensive Plan consultants, ERM, shared a presentation on rural issues. To view the presentation click below.
Rural Issues Presentation 6/13/07
To view the ERM document presenting Deep Creek Lake Land Use Scenarios please click the following link:
DCL Land Use Scenarios
The Garrett County Planning Commission meets on the first Wednesday of every month. The May meeting will be held May 7 at 1:30 p.m. in the Commissioner's meeting room. To view the agenda please click here.
Planning Commission minute archive:
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
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The 2005 Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation
Plan was officially adopted by the Commissioners on January
31, 2006. The Plan focuses its attention on three types of County
land resources: parks and recreation, agricultural, and natural
resource. The planning process for the plan included identifying
where these resources are located, how effective current implementation
programs and funding sources are in protecting and conserving them,
and whether or not these programs aid the County in achieving its
land preservation goals and objectives. Ultimately the Plan identifies
and recommends changes needed to overcome shortcomings and close
gaps, achieve goals, and ensure good return on public investment.
A copy of the plan can be viewed by clicking here.
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Garrett County updated its Comprehensive Development
Plan in 1995. The updated Comprehensive Development plan is called
A New Development Plan for Garrett County. The updated
plan provides policies to guide the growth and conservation of Garrett
County over the next 10 to 15 years. The plan's real value is in
evaluating proposed changes in the County against the plan's policies
for land use, roads, and community facilities and services. The
test of each change affecting any one of these elements should be
the question "Does it carry out the goals of our plan?"
A copy of A New Development Plan for Garrett County is
available for review or purchase at the Office of Planning and Zoning.
______________________________________________________________________
The Garrett County Heritage Plan is the latest
effort to describe the county's rich heritage and move toward a
strong, ongoing program to preserve local heritage. In January 2002,
the Garrett County Commissioners, through the Garrett County Heritage
Committee, retained the consulting firm of Urban Research and Development
Corporation of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to help document what many
people in the county had known for years: Garrett County has a story
to tell! The Garrett County Heritage Plan presents the
feasibility of establishing a Recognized Heritage Area in the county.
The plan is the first step toward gaining statewide recognition,
technical and financial assistance in helping to tell Garrett County's
story to the state...the nation...the world. The Garrett County
Heritage Plan can be viewed by clicking the following link: GARRETT COUNTY HERITAGE PLAN 2003.
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