Worcester County Planning Commission Holds Public Hearing on Comprehensive Plan

1 hour ago

Julia Green,

SNOW HILL, Md. – A public hearing was held by the Worcester County Planning Commission on Thursday Jul. 9th to discuss to the 2026 Comprehensive Plan.

The goal of the plan is guide growth, community development, and preservation. The main issues discussed during the hearing were regarding suburban sprawl, data center proposals, and E-1 zoning.

An E-1 district refers to a zoning region where regulations are in place to keep the area rural and to encourage agriculture and single family residencies. Chairman Jerry Barbierri explained what makes E-1 districts unique.

“There are elements to E-1 that allows things that are not allowed in other residential districts, such as chicken farms, hog farms, but that is included in E1.” Said Barbierri.

The original draft of the comprehensive plan included the removal of E-1 districts, but the board faced pushbacks, and is now planning to leave them included in the final draft.

“We’re representatives of the citizens. And if they feel that E-1 serves their needs, then we’re going to go along with that.” Said Barbierri.

Another issue discussed in the hearing were growing concerns over potential data centers and cable landing station projects in the future.

Wendie Green is a resident of the Assateague area, and shares ecological, property, and resource concerns surrounding the potential projects.

“You know, it’s going to be noise pollution.” Green said. “It’s going to be a problem, and it’s not going to be fun to live next to. And it hurts your property values. The utilities can’t handle it.”

Green also stressed the concern regarding the unique environmental traits of the region, and how the developments would impact the region.

“We live in a very ecologically sensitive area.” Said Green. “Coastal protected wetlands, migrating birds.”

After amendments are made to the comprehensive plan, it will be passed off to the Board of Commissioners, where they will hold a separate hearing before putting the plan into place.