Rising Sun adopts overhaul of subdivision, land development code to tighten standards for new development
June 13, 2023 | Rising Sun, Cecil County, Maryland
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The Town of Rising Sun on June 13 adopted ordinance 20-23-08, a comprehensive revision to the town’s subdivision and land development code that staff said is intended to give the town clearer control over new development and prevent past problems.
Town Administrator Bonenberger told the mayor and commissioners the changes create a local Rising Sun Design and Specifications (TDS) manual that will be referenced throughout the code and require developers to provide complete street, drainage and sidewalk construction in accordance with the manual. "The town of Rising Sun is trying to control its own destiny," Bonenberger said during the staff presentation.
The ordinance adds explicit standards that tie the number of required entrance/exit points to the size of a development (1 entrance for 5–50 units, 2 for 51–200, and 3 for 201+ with engineering discretion) and requires developers to disclose to prospective buyers whether roads will be connected to adjacent properties. The code also encourages narrower paved roads—22 feet where appropriate—paired with off-street or satellite parking to slow traffic and reduce long-term maintenance costs.
Supporters at the meeting described the update as long overdue. A public commenter, Jay Jones, summarized the sentiment: "you need this… it's a long time coming." The town planning commission reviewed the draft on June 4 and provided recommendations, which staff said were incorporated.
The board voted by voice to adopt the ordinance after a motion and second; the vote was recorded as an affirmative voice vote and no roll-call tally was read into the record. According to staff, the code changes will be posted on the town website if formally adopted and advertised per statutory requirements.
Officials said the changes aim to reduce past instances where developers were able to exploit gaps in the code; Bonenberger cited historical issues and noted the TDS manual is intended to provide consistent, locally appropriate engineering standards. The ordinance text and the TDS manual will be posted online and used in future development reviews.
The adoption concludes the public hearing on ordinance 20-23-08; the board moved on to other agenda items after the vote.
Town Administrator Bonenberger told the mayor and commissioners the changes create a local Rising Sun Design and Specifications (TDS) manual that will be referenced throughout the code and require developers to provide complete street, drainage and sidewalk construction in accordance with the manual. "The town of Rising Sun is trying to control its own destiny," Bonenberger said during the staff presentation.
The ordinance adds explicit standards that tie the number of required entrance/exit points to the size of a development (1 entrance for 5–50 units, 2 for 51–200, and 3 for 201+ with engineering discretion) and requires developers to disclose to prospective buyers whether roads will be connected to adjacent properties. The code also encourages narrower paved roads—22 feet where appropriate—paired with off-street or satellite parking to slow traffic and reduce long-term maintenance costs.
Supporters at the meeting described the update as long overdue. A public commenter, Jay Jones, summarized the sentiment: "you need this… it's a long time coming." The town planning commission reviewed the draft on June 4 and provided recommendations, which staff said were incorporated.
The board voted by voice to adopt the ordinance after a motion and second; the vote was recorded as an affirmative voice vote and no roll-call tally was read into the record. According to staff, the code changes will be posted on the town website if formally adopted and advertised per statutory requirements.
Officials said the changes aim to reduce past instances where developers were able to exploit gaps in the code; Bonenberger cited historical issues and noted the TDS manual is intended to provide consistent, locally appropriate engineering standards. The ordinance text and the TDS manual will be posted online and used in future development reviews.
The adoption concludes the public hearing on ordinance 20-23-08; the board moved on to other agenda items after the vote.
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