Rising Sun adopts rewritten subdivision rules, adds flexible street‑width standards
May 30, 2023 | Rising Sun, Cecil County, Maryland
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The Mayor and Commissioners of Rising Sun on May 20 adopted a package of changes to the town’s subdivision and land‑development code intended to clarify review steps for developers and curb stalled projects. The board approved Ordinances 2023‑04, 2023‑05 and 2023‑06 by voice vote following a staff presentation and no public comment.
Town Administrator Calvin A. Bonneberg Jr. told the board the changes move the town from a three‑step to a five‑step review process that adds an administrative technical review intended to let developers “float any kind of idea or concept” to the planning commission before investing substantially in design work. The ordinances also add definitions for terms such as applicant and developer and borrow language from the Cecil County subdivision code to standardize approvals.
The board adopted specific time limits, described in the ordinances as sunset provisions, that tie approvals to project progress. Under the proposals, applicants generally must file for the next review phase within six months of the last phased approval unless the planning commission grants a written extension for just cause; final approvals must be recorded in Cecil County land records within a stated time frame or become void. For minor projects subject to administrative review, construction must commence and be substantially completed within two years; final completion for larger land‑development approvals is set at five years unless otherwise conditioned.
Calvin said the changes give the town tools to avoid long‑dormant approvals that reserve water and sewer capacity without delivering development. He also told commissioners the planning commission asked for clearer definitions and added the ability for planners or the town engineer to waive or modify checklist requirements when appropriate.
During the meeting the board also considered proposed changes to street‑width, parking and future right‑of‑way standards (to be discussed further at a June 13 public hearing). The street‑width proposal would allow narrower paved surfaces where on‑street parking is not provided and require additional paving when parking is included. The measure is intended to reduce unnecessary pavement while preserving the town’s ability to widen roads later if needed.
Next steps: the street‑width amendments will return to the planning commission for review and then to the Mayor and Commissioners for final action after the scheduled June 13 hearing.
Town Administrator Calvin A. Bonneberg Jr. told the board the changes move the town from a three‑step to a five‑step review process that adds an administrative technical review intended to let developers “float any kind of idea or concept” to the planning commission before investing substantially in design work. The ordinances also add definitions for terms such as applicant and developer and borrow language from the Cecil County subdivision code to standardize approvals.
The board adopted specific time limits, described in the ordinances as sunset provisions, that tie approvals to project progress. Under the proposals, applicants generally must file for the next review phase within six months of the last phased approval unless the planning commission grants a written extension for just cause; final approvals must be recorded in Cecil County land records within a stated time frame or become void. For minor projects subject to administrative review, construction must commence and be substantially completed within two years; final completion for larger land‑development approvals is set at five years unless otherwise conditioned.
Calvin said the changes give the town tools to avoid long‑dormant approvals that reserve water and sewer capacity without delivering development. He also told commissioners the planning commission asked for clearer definitions and added the ability for planners or the town engineer to waive or modify checklist requirements when appropriate.
During the meeting the board also considered proposed changes to street‑width, parking and future right‑of‑way standards (to be discussed further at a June 13 public hearing). The street‑width proposal would allow narrower paved surfaces where on‑street parking is not provided and require additional paving when parking is included. The measure is intended to reduce unnecessary pavement while preserving the town’s ability to widen roads later if needed.
Next steps: the street‑width amendments will return to the planning commission for review and then to the Mayor and Commissioners for final action after the scheduled June 13 hearing.
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