Growth allocation available to Crisfield includes:
A. 
An area equal to 5% of the Resource Conservation Area acreage located within Crisfield; and/or
B. 
Growth allocation available to Crisfield as provided for by Somerset County.
C. 
Somerset County allocated 100 acres of growth allocation to the City of Crisfield. As of the date of adoption of this chapter, the City has utilized 17.12 acres of that growth allocation, leaving a remaining balance of 82.88 acres.
Growth allocation is available for use in a Resource Conservation Area (RCA) or in a Limited Development Area (LDA) in the City of Crisfield Critical Area Overlay District. The purpose is to authorize a change in the Critical Area classification to develop at a higher density or use than the current classification allows.
An applicant shall submit to City of Crisfield a complete application for growth allocation that complies with the submittal and environmental report requirements of COMAR 27.01.02.06-1 through 27.01.02.06-2. The City of Crisfield shall approve a growth allocation request prior to submission to the Commission.
When locating new Intensely Developed or Limited Development Areas, the following requirements shall apply:
A. 
An application for a new IDA or LDA shall be:
(1) 
In conformance with the requirements of COMAR Title 27, Subtitle 01; and
(2) 
Designated on the approved Critical Area Map that is submitted as part of its application to the Commission for growth allocation approval.
B. 
As part of a growth allocation approved by the Commission, the following shall be enforced:
(1) 
A buffer management plan;
(2) 
A habitat protection plan; and
(3) 
Other applicable conditions of approval as determined by the Commission at the time of project approval.
C. 
New Intensely Developed Areas shall be at least 20 acres in size unless:
(1) 
They are contiguous to an existing Intensely Developed Area or located in a Limited Development Area; or
(2) 
They are a grandfathered commercial or industrial use, which existed as of December 26, 1988. The amount of growth allocation deducted shall be equivalent to the area of the entire parcel or parcels subject to the growth allocation request.
When locating new Intensely Developed or Limited Development Areas, the following standards apply:
A. 
A new Intensely Developed Area shall only be in a Limited Development Area or adjacent to an existing Intensely Developed Area.
B. 
A new Limited Development Area shall only be located adjacent to an existing Limited Development Area or an Intensely Developed Area.
C. 
A new Limited Development Area or Intensely Developed Area shall be in a manner that minimizes impacts to Habitat Protection Areas as defined herein and in COMAR 27.01.09 and in an area and manner that optimizes benefits to water quality.
D. 
A new Intensely Developed Area shall only be located where it minimizes impacts to the defined land uses of the Resource Conservation Area.
E. 
A new Intensely Developed Area or a Limited Development Area in a Resource Conservation Area shall be located at least 300 feet beyond the landward edge of tidal wetlands or tidal waters unless the City of Crisfield proposes and the Commission approves alternative measures for enhancement of water quality and habitat that provide greater benefits to the resources.
F. 
New Intensely Developed Areas or Limited Development Areas to be located in Resource Conservation Areas shall conform to all criteria of this chapter for such areas, shall be so designated on the Crisfield Critical Area Maps and shall constitute an amendment to this chapter subject to review and recommendation by the Planning Commission, and the approval of the Mayor and Council and the Critical Area Commission, as provided herein.
G. 
Locate new Intensely Developed Areas and Limited Development Areas outside of areas vulnerable to climate change as identified by the City of Crisfield, unless the City of Crisfield proposes, and the Commission approves measures that assess climate resiliency and vulnerability and incorporate siting, design, construction and other natural features to significantly enhance climate resiliency and reduce vulnerability.
In reviewing map amendments or refinements involving the use of growth allocation, Crisfield shall consider the following factors:
A. 
Consistence with Crisfield's adopted Comprehensive Plan and whether the growth allocation would implement the goals and objectives of the adopted plan.
B. 
For a map amendment or refinement involving a new Limited Development Area, whether the development is:
(1) 
To be served by a public wastewater system or septic system that uses the best available nitrogen removal technology;
(2) 
A completion of an existing subdivision;
(3) 
An expansion of an existing business; or
(4) 
To be clustered.
C. 
For a map amendment or refinement involving a new Intensely Developed Area, whether the development is:
(1) 
To be served by a public wastewater system;
(2) 
If greater than 20 acres, to be in a designated Priority Funding Area; and
(3) 
To have a demonstrable economic benefit.
D. 
The use of existing public infrastructure, where practical.
E. 
Consistence with state and regional environmental protection policies concerning the protection of threatened and endangered species and species in need of conservation that may be located on- or off-site.
F. 
Impacts on a priority preservation area.
G. 
Environmental impacts associated with wastewater and stormwater management practices and wastewater and stormwater discharges to tidal waters, tidal wetlands, and tributary streams.
H. 
Environmental impacts associated with location in a coastal hazard area or an increased risk of severe flooding attribute to the proposed development.
I. 
Environmental impacts on underserved or overburdened communities.