[Thursday, Sept. 24] On Tuesday, Sept. 22, County Commissioners received an update from PJM Interconnection and the Maryland Office of People’s Counsel on the region’s electrical infrastructure, growing energy demands, and potential impacts on Charles County residents. Jason Stanek, Executive Director of Governmental Services for PJM Interconnection, provided an overview of Maryland’s energy supply and the challenges of rising electricity demand. William Fields, Deputy People’s Counsel for the Maryland Office of People’s Counsel, provided an overview of residential electricity costs, utility rates, and the potential impacts of data center development. The presentations highlighted Maryland’s reliance on electricity imported from other states, rising utility costs, and the need for additional energy resources and infrastructure to meet future demand.

Work Session: Charles County Rental Licensing Program

Staff held a work session with commissioners on a proposed bill to establish a rental licensing program in Charles County. The session reviewed revisions commissioners requested during the Sept. 1 Commissioner meeting, clarified the scope and purpose of rental inspections, and gathered additional feedback before introducing the bill.

Key revisions included consideration for previously approved alternative methods of construction, removal of radon certification requirements, and public display of a rental license. The bill language on air-conditioning requirements was revised to mirror language already in state law, clarification was added to exempt rental units located within the Towns of La Plata and Indian Head from Charles County rental licensing, and clarification was made that the cost of two (2) inspections is incorporated into the license fee. The session also clarified that older and historic buildings are not automatically required to meet current new-construction standards. After the work session, Commissioners voted 4-1 to introduce the bill and scheduled the public hearing for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20.

Traffic Signal Update

County Commissioners received an update from Planning and Growth Management staff on the status of planned intersection improvements at St. Charles Parkway and St. David Drive, near the main entrance for Thornton Elementary School. Construction on a new traffic signal, crosswalks, and other related upgrades is nearing completion, with the signal expected to be operational in October. 

In addition to this update, Commissioners discussed additional safety measures near the intersection, including a proposal to designate school zones along portions of St. Charles Parkway and reduce the speed limit at the intersection to 40 mph during designated school hours.  Commissioners unanimously approved the school zone designation.

Direction Given for Affordable Housing PILOT

Commissioners directed the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) Workgroup to move forward with a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). Staff appeared before commissioners to ask whether the board of commissioners would offer a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) in the upcoming year or defer to the incoming board that takes office in December. The upcoming notice will focus on multi-family housing with a PILOT for a 20-year term.

Briefings

Planning and Growth Management staff briefed Commissioners on the FY2027 Municipal Stormwater (MS4) Financial Assurance Plan. Charles County Government is one of ten Phase I MS4 permittees in the State of Maryland. The Maryland Department of the Environment issues permits. Charles County must have a plan on file describing how it will meet estimated cost obligations for the next two years. The county must show completed and planned projects within the permit term, projected costs to meet impervious surface restoration, and projected revenues to meet those planned costs, among other requirements. A public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20.

Commissioners also voted to introduce and scheduled a public hearing for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20 to hear comments on Proposed Bill 2026-09: Zoning Text Amendment 25-188 Regulatory Enforcement of Encroachments onto County-Owned Land. The bill would give Charles County Government a regulatory framework to remediate encroachment onto county-owned property.

For more information on the meeting, including a full list of briefings, approval items, actions on boards and commissions, and more, visit the Charles County Board of County Commissioners webpage and select “Available Archives.”