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Get Involved

Public Engagement Activities

As a concerned Charles County resident, business owner or employee, or property owner, your input is vital to the Comprehensive Plan process. There will be several diverse opportunities for you to provide your thoughts and ideas, as described below. For more information, see the Project Schedule page . All meetings will be open to the public.

Recordings of public meetings can be viewed at Charles County's Digital Library.

 

Completed Meetings and Other Tasks

  • Kick-off Meeting (March 29, 2011, 7:00 p.m.). This meeting provided an introduction to the Comprehensive Plan and the planning process, as well as opportunities to discuss major issues that the Plan will address. Location: Charles County Government Building, County Commissioners’ Meeting Room.
  • Land Use Marketplace Forum (April 28, 2011, 1:00 p.m.). The goal of this forum was to understand the driving forces behind real estate and development in Charles County. It included presentations by local and national experts, and a moderated expert panel discussion on market and land use issues. Location: College of Southern Maryland.
  • Regional Visioning Work Sessions (May/June 2011). This group of four similarly-structured, regionally-specific meetings gave the public the opportunity to identify and refine Comprehensive Plan visions, goals, and issues, and to begin to develop land use scenarios (options) for the 2012 Comprehensive Plan. Locations: North Point HS, Newburg, Bryans Road, and Nanjemoy.
  • Regional Design Charettes (July/August 2011). Following up on the Visioning Sessions, the Design Charettes—held in the same four locations—focused on refining scenarios, including land use concept maps and major policies. Locations: Waldorf, Newburg, Bryans Road, and Nanjemoy.
  • Open House (October 19, 2011). The scenarios developed through the Regional Visioning Sessions and Design Charrettes were refined, evaluated, and presented at the Open House. Participants were invited to give additional comments and input, and to select elements of the candidate scenarios that best achieve their visions for the County through 2040.

  • Public Meeting (December 15, 2011).  A presentation summarized the Merged Scenario--the result of public input and staff/consultant recommendations to date. Members of the public were invited to comment on the merged scenario. 

  • Survey. More than 700 interested participants filled out an online Comprehensive Plan Survey. This non-scientific survey provided input on issues and opportunities that the Comprehensive Plan should consider.

  • Stakeholder Interviews. The County and its consultant conducted interviews with approximately 70 stakeholders representing diverse interests in Charles County. Interviews were based on responses to the survey, but provided more detailed and nuanced feedback.