March 3 Commissioners' Meeting Update

News Release # 2026-034

Thursday March 5, 2026

On Tuesday, March 3, Wes Adams, County Attorney, presented legislation to the Charles County Commissioners to formally establish an independent Office of the Inspector General. The bill creates an office responsible for investigating allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, and inefficiency in county operations, as well as among contractors and entities receiving county funds. The Inspector General would be appointed by an Inspector General Citizen Advisory Board, serve a fixed term, and have authority to access county records, issue subpoenas, conduct investigations, and publish reports to ensure transparency. The legislation outlines qualifications, reporting requirements, and protections to maintain the office's independence. The Commissioners unanimously approved the bill and scheduled a public hearing for May 5, 2026.

Briefings

• Terrah Dews, Associate County Attorney, presented legislation to update compensation provisions for members of the Animal Matters Hearing Board. The bill removes the requirement that board members serve without pay, allowing the County to provide compensation in accordance with the Charles County Compensation Commission's recommendations. The change is intended to recognize the time and expertise contributed by board members and to support the continued effective operation of the Animal Matters Hearing Board. The Commissioners voted to introduce the bill and scheduled a public hearing for Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

• Joel Binkley, Planning Supervisor, Devin Parker, Planner I, Tony Felts, Assistant Chief of Planning, and Charles Rice, Planning Director, presented a zoning text amendment to the Charles County Commissioners to update local rules for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), smaller secondary living units on the same property as a primary home, as part of the county's effort to expand housing options and comply with new Maryland state law requiring ADU authorization by October 1, 2026. The proposal would clarify and modernize ADU regulations by permitting attached and detached units where single-family detached homes are allowed, adjusting maximum size limits to either 1,000 square feet or 75 % of the primary dwelling (whichever is smaller), eliminating separate storage requirements for detached units, removing off-street parking requirements, and setting clear limits on height and bedrooms while still meeting health department sewer and septic rules. Internal ADUs would also be allowed in townhouses with separate entrances, subject to specific design standards. The Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the request to hold a public hearing with the Planning Commission on March 16, 2026.

• Joel Binkley, Planning Supervisor; Mark Thompson, Chief of Commercial Development; Dina Barclay, Director of Community Services; and Jacob Dyer, Director of Fiscal and Administrative Services, presented the 2026 Affordable Housing PILOT Projects update, outlining four proposed Waldorf developments that would create 439 affordable housing units and significantly reduce the county's affordable housing shortfall. All projects met the program's minimum requirements, including long-term affordability, income-restricted units, location in Priority Funding Areas, and consistency with the Comprehensive Plan. Applications also earned bonus points for exceeding baseline criteria through deeper affordability levels, extended affordability terms, supportive services, sustainable design features, enhanced amenities, proximity to public transit, and locations within the Waldorf Urban Redevelopment Corridor. Commissioners voted to advance Eagle Point Phase 1, Lenville Crossing, and Pine Way Village projects at a public hearing on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

• Charles Rice, Planning Director, Tony Felts, Assistant Chief of Planning, and Jason Groth, Director, Department of Planning and Growth Management, presented a proposed zoning text amendment to the Charles County Commissioners that would update local zoning rules to specifically allow and regulate retail sales establishments larger than 100,000 square feet in certain mixed-use and urban development areas. The amendment would revise the zoning code to clarify that large retail uses are permitted with conditions in the Mixed-Use and Transit-Oriented Development zones. The ZTA would also permit such uses in the Urban Center zone. The ZTA would also remove the existing requirement that such stores be multistory and establish updated parking requirements at one space per 250 square feet of retail space, while reducing parking requirements for other retail uses. The proposal stems from a request on January 27, 2026, by Commissioner Dr. Amanda Stewart for a code update to support retail growth and better align parking standards with current needs. Commissioners approved staff to begin the public process of the amendment.

Charles County Boards and Commissions Annual Update

Commissioners heard briefings on the activities of the following county boards and commissions:

• Planning Commission
• Board of Appeals
• Board of License Commissioners (Liquor Board)
• Tax Assessment Appeal Board

Legislative Update

Representatives from bus contractors and the Charles County Board of Education visited the commissioners to speak on Senate Bill 574, which would require the Charles County Board of Education to provide 10 years' notice before displacing a contracted bus company from service. The commissioners were provided with a copy of the bill, with proposed amendments to reduce the time to notify from 10 to 6 years and to pay the remaining balance on buses purchased or financed prior to the date of written notice. The board reached consensus to provide a letter expressing their concerns about the bill.

Danielle Mitchell, Acting Deputy County Administrator, stated that hearings were also held on Senate Bills 573 and 575.

Approval Items

Commissioners approved:

• A Budget Transfer Request of $361,140 to pay the invoice received from the State Department of Assessments & Taxation (SDAT). The County is now required to reimburse the State of Maryland for 90% of the costs of administering certain programs in SDAT. This year's invoice exceeded expectations due to a state billing error from a prior year.
• An award recommendation to Nationwide for Deferred Compensation Program services for employees.
• A Standard Operating Procedure delegating authorities for change orders.
• A letter of support for directed congressional spending for the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center. The letter would support the Nuclear Medicine Modernization Initiative at the Medical Center.
• A letter to the Maryland Department of Transportation outlining the county's transportation priorities for Fiscal Year 2027.

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