As the New Year settles in the Carroll County Comprehensive Land Use Plan Steering Committee will settle into writing new zoning ordinances for Carroll County.

The county's old zoning laws were written in 1971, and according to area plan commission member, Pete Wagoner, are out of date in many areas.

"Current zoning does not reflect modern needs, and should have been re-written before now. A part of the new ordinance should be to check up on them every four years," Wagoner said.

According to Ground Rules consultant, Debra Luzier, who assisted the county in writing the land use plan, the usual process for writing zoning ordinances is for an APC to appoint a steering committee. This committee would be made up of public citizens, especially those who would need to use the laws the most such as emergency personnel.

The APC has appointed the comprehensive land use plan (CLUP) steering committee to write the new rules. This committee would then, Luzier said, work with a consulting firm such as Ground Rules that knows state statutes.

However, steering committee member Miriam Robeson said that Ground Rules will not be involved in writing the new zoning.

Wagoner said the steering committee has become very well versed and is using zoning models from other communities.

"I have confidence in the group that has been working on it," Wagoner said. "The group is made up of people with various backgrounds - farmers, small business people and two attorneys."

Wagoner also said that using the steering committee would save the county dollars.

"It's pretty common to keep those involved who are interested," Luzier said of the choice.

Wagoner said that the new laws will probably not change much.

Any existing construction will not be required to change, said Robeson. Any current structure that is not in compliance with the new ordinances will be considered legal but non-conforming. However, she said, any new construction or additions to old structures will be required to comply with new zoning standards. This, she said, is the current policy as well.

There will be much detailed language in the new laws, Robeson said. There needs to be consideration given to both new technologies such as flushless toilets, and old traditions such as the use of outdoor "privies." The final muster that all must pass is that they meet health and safety codes.

Robeson encourages the county to keep an eye on the comprehensive land use plan website for updates and to offer input.

"We are going to be very deliberate about keeping things posted on the website," Robeson said," and people can comment."