[Amended 6-28-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-1; 11-27-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-5; 6-21-2022 by Bill No. 2022-002]
The Planning Commission is hereby created and shall consist of five members.
A. 
County Commissioner member.
(1) 
At the first meeting after their inauguration, and annually thereafter, the County Commissioners shall select from their number a Commissioner to serve as an ex officio member of the Planning Commission.
(2) 
The remaining Commissioners shall be authorized to serve as alternates in the event the designated member is unable to attend any meeting of the Planning Commission. The Commissioner serving as alternate shall have all the same powers and duties as the ex officio member.
B. 
Regular members.
(1) 
The County Commissioners shall appoint four citizen volunteer members, all of whom shall be residents of Caroline County.
(2) 
No members, including the Commissioner member, of the Planning Commission may be a resident of an incorporated municipality.
(3) 
At least one member, including the Commissioner member, of the Planning Commission should be a developer, builder or have a construction-related background.
(4) 
At least one member, including the Commissioner member, of the Planning Commission should be actively engaged in agricultural production in Caroline County.
(5) 
The County Commissioners should strive to fill Planning Commission vacancies in accordance with these criteria.
C. 
Term. The term of office for regular members is five years. Each member shall serve no more than two full consecutive terms. After completing a first term, a member may request to be reappointed to serve a second term. After completing a full second term, a member may not be reappointed for two years, but may serve until a successor has been appointed after any term has expired.
D. 
Vacancies. Vacancies shall be filled by the County Commissioners for the unexpired term of any regular member whose seat becomes vacant.
E. 
Removal. The County Commissioners may remove any member for incompetence, misconduct, failure to attend meetings under § 8-502 of the State Government Article or conviction of a crime in accordance with § 8-502 of the State Government Article. The County Commissioners shall file a written statement of charges stating the reasons for removal and provide an opportunity for a public hearing to contest the charges.
The Planning Commission shall elect a Chairman and a Vice Chairman from among the appointed members at its first meeting in each calendar year, each to serve for one year or until his successor is elected. In the event of a vacancy in either of said offices, a successor shall be elected to serve for the unexpired term of the vacated office. In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman shall serve as Acting Chairman. The County Planner shall serve as Executive Secretary to the Planning Commission.
The Planning Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
A. 
To review, evaluate and approve or disapprove plans for subdivisions and mobile home developments in accordance with this chapter and the Caroline County Subdivision Regulations.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 162, Subdivision of Land.
B. 
To review and make recommendations to the County Commissioners regarding the following:
(1) 
Proposed changes or amendments to the Caroline County Comprehensive Plan.
(2) 
Proposed text amendments to the Zoning Ordinance.
(3) 
Proposed rezonings.
(4) 
Proposed changes or amendments to the Subdivision Regulations.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 162, Subdivision of Land.
(5) 
Proposed acquisition and development of lands for county open space or recreation purposes.
(6) 
Proposed changes in land use or development arising from local, state or federal programs or policies.
C. 
To hear appeals concerning the approval or disapproval of site plans.
[Amended 6-21-2022 by Bill No. 2022-002]
A. 
Meetings of the Planning Commission shall be held once each month or at the call of the Chairman and at such other times as the Planning Commission may determine.
B. 
The presence of three members of the Planning Commission shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business.
C. 
An affirmative vote of three members shall be required to effect a decision or recommendation of the Planning Commission.
A. 
The meetings of the Planning Commission shall be open to the public, but the Planning Commission may limit active public participation by resolution. When appropriate, the Planning Commission may adjourn to executive session, but only in accordance with the Public Information Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See now § 10-611 et seq., of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
B. 
For all proceedings before the Planning Commission and County Commissioners which require a public hearing, a notice of public hearing shall be published once each week for two successive weeks in at least one newspaper of general circulation in Caroline County.
C. 
The first public hearing notice shall not be published less than 14 days prior to the date scheduled for each public hearing.
D. 
At the meetings of the Planning Commission, any interested person shall have the right to submit, in accordance with the established rules, oral or written testimony and comment.
E. 
The Planning Commission may adopt, by resolution, additional rules of procedure, provided that such rules are consistent with this chapter and applicable state enabling legislation. Such rules shall be available to the public.
F. 
The Planning Department shall be represented at all meetings of the Planning Commission and shall answer questions and render advice and assistance, but the Planning Department shall not participate in any decision of the Commission beyond the submission of a staff recommendation for each proposed action.
A. 
Minutes required; contents. The Planning Commission shall keep minutes of all of its proceedings, which shall contain the names of the members present; a summary of all testimony, comment or evidence presented; the exhibits presented; and the decision or recommendation of the Planning Commission. The minutes shall also show the vote of each member upon each question or, if absent or failing to vote, indicating that fact.
B. 
Location and maintenance of public records. A permanent file of each proceeding, including applications and the minutes, shall be maintained in the office of the Planning Department and shall be a public record.