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Charles County, MD
 
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (11) Index
The provision of public utilities and related infrastructure components are an integral part of any subdivision design. The information contained herein is to be used in conjunction with the Charles County Zoning Ordinance and Road Ordinance,[1] as well as sound engineering practice, to determine the appropriate placement and scale of those facilities. In the case of any conflict between these sections and other County or state regulations, the more restrictive design standard shall apply.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 297, Zoning Regulations and Ch. 276, Streets, Roads and Sidewalks, respectively.
If at any time a developer installs or causes the installation of water, sewer, electrical power, gas, telephone or cable television facilities and intends that such facilities shall be owned, operated or maintained by a public utility or any entity other than the developer, the developer shall transfer to such utility or entity the necessary ownership or easement rights to enable the utility or entity to operate and maintain such facilities.
All electric power lines, telephone, gas distribution and cable television lines in subdivisions constructed after the effective date of these regulations shall be placed underground in accordance with the specifications and policies of the respective utility service providers (not to include transformers or enclosures containing electrical equipment such as but not limited to switches, meters or capacitors which may be pad-mounted).
A. 
Whenever it can reasonably be anticipated that utility facilities constructed in one development will be extended to serve other adjacent or nearby developments, such utility facilities (e.g., water or sewer lines) shall be located and constructed so that extensions can be made conveniently and without undue burden or expense or unnecessary duplication of service, consistent with County policies, procedures and regulations.
B. 
All utility facilities shall be constructed in such a manner as to minimize interference with pedestrian or vehicular traffic and to facilitate maintenance without undue damage to improvements or facilities located within the development.
C. 
Passive and active recreation open space requirements may be located over utility easements and over or under utility installations, provided that there are no structures located within the easement and access to all points within the easement remain unobstructed. The developer is responsible for obtaining written approval from the utility company, owner or the County prior to the approval of the preliminary subdivision plan and final subdivision plat by the Planning Commission, for any such dual use of a utility or other easement for a recreational area.
A. 
All utilities running parallel to public road rights-of-way are encouraged to be located within the road right-of-way, wherever feasible. Feasibility is to be established through cooperative dialogue with the developer, utility companies and the Deputy County Administrator for Planning and Growth Management.
B. 
The Planning Director may determine that an additional plan sheet is required in order to accurately present the level of information necessary for preliminary plan review. This additional plan sheet is to show the planned location of all roads, water and sewer mains, wells and other infrastructure at a scale of not less than one inch to 200 feet in order to compare and coordinate with existing or proposed County maintained facilities. At a minimum, a plan view for the proposed infrastructure is to be provided showing proposed locations of any tees, hydrants, manholes and other equipment necessary for preliminary utilities review by the County.
C. 
Utility easements shall be provided on all final subdivision plats and shall be subject to County review and approval. Any revisions made necessary due to as-built conditions shall be made through the final plat revision process as described in § 278-31F.
D. 
Location of utilities shall be consistent with the Charles County Forest Conservation Ordinance, the Road Ordinance, Resource Protection Zone requirements and other applicable site development regulations.
E. 
Any final subdivision plat which proposes the installation of any utility that reduces a buffer yard, open space, park or other incompatible design feature approved with the preliminary subdivision plan must provide for an area, to be approved per § 278-47, equivalent in kind to the reduction. This does not include areas of minimal disturbance caused by perpendicular crossings of buffers or open space, if an alternative does not exist, or the use of utility easements for recreational areas as described in § 278-61.
The following standards are to provide for a safe and adequate public streetlighting. These standards are considered minimum standards; all streetlight systems will be reviewed for public safety, operating efficiency and the short- and long-term cost to the County.
A. 
Streetlights are to be provided on preliminary plans for major subdivisions, according to § 278-96. Streetlight proposals shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission and may be modified, altered or eliminated by the Commission. Final approval of the exact location, design or model type for any streetlight will be granted during final improvement plan review.
B. 
The provision of streetlights on a major subdivision plan or plat shall be consistent with the standards as stated in this section, as well as the Charles County Zoning Ordinance, the Road Ordinance[1] and relevant state standards. Installation of the streetlight and documentation regarding operation and maintenance for the streetlights is to be provided consistent with the improvement plan and final plat procedures described in these regulations.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 297, Zoning Regulations, and Ch. 276, Streets, Roads and Sidewalks, respectively.
Streetlights shall be provided in the following situations:
A. 
For all major subdivision developments of density greater than or equal to three dwelling units per acre, a minimum of one streetlight located at all entrances to the subdivision located at a road classified as a major collector or greater. If either roadway is dualized, a minimum of two streetlights shall be provided. In addition, a streetlight shall be provided at the intersection of any public or private road with a road classified as a minor collector or greater.
B. 
The locations for streetlights along all roads are to be consistent with the Charles County Road Ordinance. Additional streetlights may be specifically approved by the Planning Commission, provided that such lights are in compliance with the Road Ordinance.
Any wetlands or other related environmental permits which are required for a development are to include all relevant utility infrastructure in that permit application. All cost related to those permits are to be borne by the developer.