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1. What is the role of the Department of Planning and Community Development?

The department’s mission is to prepare and implement the Comprehensive Plan and programs to guide Town growth and development. Development issues include land use planning and development review, historic preservation, environmental protection and transportation management. Staff provides assistance and information to property owners, businesses, community groups and citizens about development activity, policy, regulations and procedures that directly manage growth. The Planning Department administers long range policies outlined in the Comprehensive Plan. The department maintains census records, administers and updates zoning regulations, subdivision regulations and other development regulations and promotes preservation of historic and environmental resources.

2. What is the Comprehensive Plan?

The Comprehensive Plan is a document that establishes the long range planning goals and objectives of the Town of Bel Air. It is prepared by the Bel Air Planning Commission and adopted by the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners after public hearings. This document is updated every ten years and establishes policies and goals to guide growth, land use and conservation. It recommends guidelines and actions for transportation, public facilities, land use, water and sewer, recreation, park land and open space, housing, community services, historic preservation, environmental protection, economic development, water resources and municipal growth.

3. What are the roles of the Planning Commission and Board of Appeals?

The Planning Commission is a five-member body appointed by the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners to serve five-year terms on a volunteer basis. The commission makes recommendations on petitions for rezoning, amendments to the Development Regulations and amendments to the Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Commission renders final decisions on subdivision plans, site plans and special development proposals and makes recommendations on all annexation proposals prior to submission to the Town Board for the requisite public hearing. The Planning Commission meets on the first Thursday of each month.

The Board of Appeals is a five-member body appointed by the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners who serve three-year terms on a volunteer basis. The Board of Appeals hears and decides variances, special exceptions, cases involving non-conforming uses and appeals of departmental administrative decisions. The Board of Appeals meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month when there are cases to be reviewed.

4. How can residents express their views about development proposals?

Residents may comment on proposals at public meetings or hearings, if Planning Commission, Board of Appeals or Historic Preservation Commission approval is required. Additionally, the Planning Department may be contacted during business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Files are available for review during regular business hours at the Planning Department located at 705 E. Churchville Road, Bel Air, MD 21014.

5. What statistical or map information is available?

The Planning Department assembles data on land use, housing, population growth and other census information. The town also produces a number of geographic information systems (GIS) maps showing land use, zoning, topography, roadways, utility data, wetlands, environmental constraints, and historic sites.

6. How does the town annexation process work?

A property owner considering annexation should contact the Town Planning department to discuss the procedural requirements. Properties must be adjacent to the town boundaries and at least 25% of the voters in the area to be annexed must agree to the annexation. Once a petition is received, the Planning Commission reviews to determine consistency with the town’s Comprehensive Plan. A resolution is then prepared for the Town Board’s consideration and a public hearing process is initiated. The overall process generally takes between three to four months depending on the complexity of the annexation petition.