Kent County schedules public hearing to consider three agricultural preservation districts

Kent County commissioners authorized scheduling a public hearing to consider establishing three agricultural preservation districts, which is the required local designation before property owners may apply to the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) for easements.

Holly Baldwin, an associate planner in Planning, Housing & Zoning, said all applicants intend to apply for MALPF easements in FY2027 and that the properties received positive recommendations from the agricultural advisory board and the planning commission. She described this agenda item as an initial step in the preservation process.

A commissioner moved to schedule the public hearing to establish the three agricultural preservation districts; the motion received a second and passed by voice vote.

During discussion a commissioner confirmed that farms accepted into preservation would not be eligible for solar installations tied to development of preserved farmland. One commissioner requested clarity on whether preserved farms could be used for solar; staff and commissioners confirmed preservation status limits such uses.

Next steps: the county will schedule and publicize the hearing so property owners and residents can comment; the meeting record did not include hearing dates.