Commission starts 60‑day review of comprehensive‑plan update; county staff brief commission on water/sewer and ADU rulemaking

The Taneytown Planning Commission voted on May 20 to send the city’s comprehensive plan 2023 update into the 60‑day statutory review required by state law once the final materials are delivered to the county and state, commissioners said at the meeting.

Planning staff asked that the commission formally start the 60‑day review period once the finalized plan is transmitted to the county and state; commissioners requested a redline version for internal review so they can more easily spot recent changes. "At least 60 days before the public hearing the planning commission shall provide copies of the recommended plan and amendments...to adjoining jurisdictions and state units," staff noted while citing the statutory requirement.

During the county update, county planner Ethan told the commission that the county’s 2025 planning annual report was circulated for municipal review and will be presented for certification to the county planning commission before submission to the Maryland Department of Planning by July 1. Ethan also said the state (MDE) approved the fall 2025 water‑and‑sewer amendments on May 20, 2026, but county staff identified inaccuracies in MDE’s approval letter and have asked for corrections so the record correctly reflects municipal amendments.

Ethan said the county received a one‑year extension on the water and sewer triennial update; that larger master‑plan process will take place in 2027. He also said county staff are drafting text amendments to implement House Bill 1466 (2025), Maryland’s accessory‑dwelling‑unit (ADU) legislation, and that the county planning commission has been directed to discuss the recommended changes at upcoming meetings.

Commissioners clarified that many of the pending zoning text amendments and temporary deferrals (including proposals concerning off‑premises signs and uses like data centers) are county matters and do not change Taneytown’s municipal zoning authority. County staff said several county deferrals and related public hearings could extend into October 2026.

Next steps: the comprehensive plan will enter the 60‑day county/state review once the staff transmits the final package; county staff will continue to coordinate on water/sewer corrections and ADU text amendments.