Author Archives: Kim Miller

CAN Unofficial Notes Dorchester County Council Meeting – 19Nov2024

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CAN Unofficial Notes Dorchester County Council Meeting
November 19, 2024

Present: R. Travers, M. Detmer, L. Pfeffer (chair), R. Kramer.  Absent: W. Nichols
Call to order 6:07pm.

Items: Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
Agenda: Additions (1). Deletions (0.)
Finance report [$35,903,914.85 cash on hand General Fund].

Consent agenda:
1. Commendation to Audrey Wanax, HS student, for requesting a crosswalk at North Dorchester HS.
2. Legislative session – Proposal to allow rural event venue passed. Schedule public hearing. Mr. Travers discussed art license and venue license will be necessary -passed.

Action Items:
1. DCHD Connect – MD Home Stretch difficult to serve – a grant to provide enhanced broadband to homes and businesses that are set back from the road @ $8K: passed
2. Tower license renewal Greenbriar Road; originally approved 1995, renewed twice, most recently 2012; renewed
3. Architecture Commission appointees – approve all; passed
4. FY2025 Project Open Space: put pickleball courts on tennis courts (2 for 1); passed
5. FY2025 Operating grant agreement with Delmarva Community Services; MTA grant – there’s a local match built into budget; approved
6. Traffic Safety Commission – Mr. Detmer presents:
a. Guard rail requested; approved
b. Special needs child sign; approved
7. Two final (inaudible) funding requests ;passed

Council comments:
Mr. Tavers reported getting complaints from Hambrooks area re: flooding
Mr. Detmer spoke approvingly about tournaments coming to Cambridge; continued concerns about doing solar correctly; notes CPD officer killed 20 years ago

Public comment:
Q: Can we have a speed camera at NDHS?
A: There is a speed camera trailer which perhaps can be scheduled.

Adjourn: 6:50pm
Notes compiled by D. Bearman

Planning Commission Notes – 12/4/2024

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Planning Commission Notes – 12/4/2024 – Submitted by Judd Vickers

New Business:
PZT 24-0016 24-O-16 – Zaxby’s Restaurant on US50:
The Planning Commission reviewed a concept site plan for a proposed Zaxby’s Restaurant. Zaxby’s is a chicken focused restaurant chain newly expanding into Maryland and Cambridge would be one of the earlier locations. The restaurant is proposed for 2721 Ocean Gateway, which will redevelop the long-abandoned site of the old Amoco gas station next to the Peking House. The Planning Commission provided valuable feedback to the developer to improve pedestrian safety and ensure the architecture and site plan is a better fit for our community. Many national franchise chains provide several architectural options to adapt to communities, Zaxby’s seems limited with these options.

PZT 24-0003 24-O-03 – Text amendment related height in industrial zones:
Planning Commission recommended a text amendment be forwarded to City Council that would provide for raising the 50 foot height limit to 70 feet in the industrial zone as it relates to warehousing, salvage, manufacturing and other uses. Currently, 70 feet is the new standard in most communities, largely due to manufacturing needs and newer types of fire suppression requirements that can take additional space. This change would assist/encourage a new business currently seeking real estate in the Technology Park. The Planning Commission asked for modifications related to language ensuring newer buildings shall focus on a visual form to fit in with surrounding buildings. An additional modification is being made to improve language related to explosive and toxic uses, allowing those only within entirely contained indoor areas completely compliant with all State/Federal/Fire/Safety regulations.

Discussion:
Discussion related to rules and procedures was deferred.

The meeting can be viewed on Town Hall Streams.

Unofficial Minutes of County Council Meeting – December 3, 2024

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Present: Travers, Detmer, Pfeffer (chair), Kramer, and Nichols, County Council.          County Manager Jerry Jones, Attorney Charles MacCleod, Irene Barnes

Meeting opened at 6:03pm.  Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.

Items of business:

  1. Election of Officers: President Mr. Pfeffer; Vice President Mr. Detmer
  2. Budget: Mr. Travers says to be very conservative since we don’t know which way things are going; Mr. Nichols agrees, nothing major. Mr. Detmer commends County Manager and staff for consistency. Asks to be conservative but creative. With MD facing $2.7B deficit, Mr. Pfeffer wants to be sure there is achievement of personnel parity since there is uncertaintly as to what items will get cut.
  3. Family Advocacy Clinic Legal Services:  Attempt to decrease instances of abuse or neglect. Hope to get started in Spring. Keep family issues out of government.
  4. Letter of support for MD $300K grant for Hyatt redecking is approved.
  5. Council comments: Mr. Detmer says Christmas tree is special and is looking forward to the parade. Anticipates learning more about solar at Assoc. of Counties meeting. Commends Roger Harrell, Health Officer and Theresa Stafford (dec) for their impact.
  6. Public comment: Rec. schedule is published. Brian Shea, commercial developer, commends agencies. County engineer has issue with administrative fees. Mr. Pfeffer asks him to connect with Shea and Jones and educate the Council on these fees.
  7. Adjourn: 6:35pm

Minutes submitted by Richard Bearman; edits by K. Miller.

Baltimore Banner Article: Court Orders Maryland to Redo Permit for Eastern Shore Poultry Rendering Plant

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Check out this interesting news article from the Baltimore Banner discussing the environmental impact of a local plant emitting pollutants at high concentrations from poultry products that cause oxygen “dead zones” suffocating underwater life. The Dorchester County Judge questions whether the State’s new permit does enough to reduce the volume of nitrogen and phosphorous the plant discharges into the Transquaking River that ultimately empties into the Chesapeake. 

https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/politics-power/local-government/eastern-shore-valley-proteins-plant-LSYQVULLKZCW5PT2QO4ETQWHC4/

 

CAN Meeting – Dec 5 – Dorchester County Historical Society (1003 Greenway Dr.)

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Cambridge Association of Neighborhoods (CAN) will hold its December meeting at 6 pm on December 5th at the Dorchester County Historical Society, located at 1003 Greenway Drive in Cambridge.

On the agenda will be nominations for the Board for the 2025-2027 term (elections to be held January 2025) and discussion of priorities for the new year.  We will also enjoy refreshments to celebrate the holiday season.

The meeting will be live-streamed (thanks to WHCP) for those who cannot attend in person (see links below):

https://www.youtube.com/@whcpstudio4716   and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WHCPRadio/videos.

Join CAN for FREE at https://CambridgeCAN.org