Carroll County Area Plan Commission members decided to buckle down and thrash out an interim amended zoning ordinance, including setback limitations, at the June 27 evening meeting. It is expected to be in force until a comprehensive land use plan is completed.

Commission member Pete Wagoner from Camden suggested that the group hold a work session and not take public comments to develop the document. He said the topic was initiated in August of 2005, tabled in October and then reopened in March, including "two meetings devoted to listening to public comments."

"I think we have a lot of information in front of us in this matter," he said. He suggested the group have a "working session among ourselves to see where we are going on this."

Working from four proposals submitted by community groups such as Carroll County Pork Producers and the group concerned about a proposed 3,500head mega-dairy in Democrat Township, the group voted to proceed without considering special exceptions for the confined animal feeding operations.

Wagoner noted without the special exception distinction, the public would have no formal opportunity, on the county level, to learn about large confined feeding operations planned to locate in the county.

After that decision, Wagoner asked, "Is it worthwhile to continue?" and moved to halt the process until the comprehensive land use plan update is completed.

No one provided a second for the motion, and the group proceeded. limitations

APC members spent the next hour and a half developing the proposed ordinance. It was then referred to APC attorney Patrick Manahan for review and legal formatting.

APC will review the document in a public forum at the July meeting and plans to advertise to adopt it at the August meeting. The document will then proceed to the county commissioners for final approval.

Other business

An hour-long discussion and debate was held by the two opposing sides in a re-zoning issue for several lots in Sunset Park.

Manahan indicated that litigation is pending concerning the matter. APC decided for the second time in as many meetings to make no ruling on the requests until the court matter was settled.

The next meeting will be July 25 at 7 p.m. in the commissioners' meeting room on the second floor of the courthouse.