Commission backs MALPF easement recommendations and flags solar limitations on preserved farmland

The Dorchester County Planning Commission voted to forward favorable recommendations on a slate of Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) applications that staff found consistent with county land-use policy. Planning staff summarized the ranking process, eligibility checks and limited funding availability that mean not all applicants will receive easements.

Planning staff told the commission that MALPF easements currently prohibit solar panels; if state rules change, an easement would need to be amended to allow solar. "If it's under an easement, it wouldn't be allowed [to install solar]," a staff member said, adding that each easement's terms differ and any change would require modification of the recorded easement.

Commissioners raised questions about the program's ranking criteria and per-acre payments. Staff explained rankings factor in parcel size, soil quality, active stewardship plans and adjacency to protected farmland, and that landowners submit an asking price per acre informed by state guidance on average market value.

Members also discussed broader policy choices about siting solar, with several commissioners urging prioritization of nonfarm lands — such as parking lots or already-paved surfaces — over farmland for large-scale solar projects.

After discussion, the commission made a motion and voted by voice to forward a favorable recommendation for the MALPF applications listed in staff materials, noting the state-managed program's limited funds and that final selections are made at the state level.