On June 12, 2020 County Executive Steuart Pittman issued Executive Order 25 to terminate a number of previous Executive Orders and establish criteria for the opening of retail establishments, organizations, and facilities in Anne Arundel County. Executive Order 19, which prohibited community meetings for the duration of the Governor’s public emergency proclamation, was one of the orders terminated by Executive Order 25, thereby allowing community meetings in accordance with §17-2-107 of the County Code to occur.
Section 17-2-107(c) of the County Code states, in part, “The meeting shall be held in the County, Monday through Thursday, beginning between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., at an ADA accessible facility located within five miles of the development site. However, if, in the opinion of the Planning and Zoning Officer, the five mile restriction is impracticable, then the meeting shall be held at a location as may be authorized by the Planning and Zoning Officer in writing.”
The opinion of the Planning and Zoning Officer is that the five-mile restriction is impracticable for all community meetings for the following reasons:
- Executive Order 25 reduces the capacity of structures commonly used for community meetings, limiting the number of available locations for community meetings across the county; and
- It is well known that the risk of exposure to and infection from the COVID-19 virus is increased in enclosed spaces.
Therefore, to protect stakeholders and applicants from unnecessary exposure to the COVID-19 virus and to allow community meetings to occur, such meetings shall instead be broadcast virtually from an alternate location of the applicant's choosing until such time as the risk of the COVID-19 virus has passed, and as long as the applicant follows the guidance provided within this Green Notice. By allowing community meetings to occur, the development review application process can continue through to completion. Continuation of virtual community meeting practices will be considered after the conclusion of the emergency.