Development News for La Plata, Maryland

La Plata Planning Commission Recommends Approval of Road APFO Amendment

The Town of La Plata Planning Commission held a public hearing for Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 02-2026, concerning the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) for roads. The amendment aims to create, manage, and maintain adequate public road facilities within the town. Key revisions include requiring regular updates to the town's official street map, incorporating all local, county, and state roads with their minimum levels of service, and establishing provisions for inter-jurisdictional government coordination with the county and State Highway Administration for traffic mitigation measures. The commission also discussed the creation of a traffic impact study implementation manual as a corollary document to provide more specific details for implementation. Public comments were received, with one supporting the amendment and another urging stricter standards to prevent developer loopholes. The commission discussed the nuances of the implementation manual, its role in clarifying procedures, and its relationship with the ordinance. Ultimately, the commission recommended approving ZTA 02-2026 to the Town Council.

La Plata Planning Commission Considers New Water Conservation Ordinance

The Town of La Plata Planning Commission discussed Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 03-2026, which proposes adding Article 11 on water conservation and emergency restrictions to Chapter 191 of the municipal code, and amending Chapter 191-48 regarding landscaping to facilitate water conservation. This initiative is part of a three-part strategy to address water supply issues, alongside negotiating a supplemental water agreement with Charles County and developing formal conservation policies. The proposed amendments include requirements for native, drought-tolerant landscaping, limitations on high water-use turf, and soil preparation for water retention. They also establish rules for water conservation alerts, outdoor watering schedules based on addresses, prohibitions on non-essential water use, restrictions on recreational water features, and specific requirements for large volume users. The town manager can declare an alert when water production reaches 80% of permitted capacity. Enforcement measures include treating violations as municipal infractions, with potential fines for repeated offenses. The commission engaged in a detailed discussion about the complexities of the ordinance, including defining 'reasonable landscaping loss,' grandfathering existing developments, enforcement challenges, and the hierarchy of residents versus businesses during water restrictions. The need for a potential subcommittee or study session to further refine the ordinance was discussed, acknowledging the critical importance of water resource management for the town's future stability.