Planning & Zoning Commission June 16th, 2026

The Carroll County Planning & Zoning Commission held a meeting on June 16, 2026, addressing several key land use and development issues. The commission reviewed and discussed a proposed annexation in Mount Airy for an athletic complex by Elite Baseball LLC, with concerns raised about traffic, neighborhood disruption, lighting, and environmental impacts. The commission agreed to convey these concerns to the Board of County Commissioners. Another major agenda item was the final site plan for the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC) Bachman Valley, which faced significant public opposition due to traffic, noise, environmental, and safety concerns. The commission postponed final approval pending a traffic impact study and a review by emergency services. Additionally, the commission reviewed a special report on the Reservoir Run Retirement Village, discussing density, design, traffic impacts, and community amenities, but did not take final action, opting to revisit the matter at a future meeting. The commission also received updates on the Education Facilities Master Plan and discussed proposed zoning code amendments related to retirement homes, villages, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs), including concerns about state mandates, local control, parking, and impacts on agricultural easements. The commission expressed interest in pushing back on certain state requirements and requested further analysis and stakeholder input before finalizing recommendations. Several motions were passed to postpone decisions and schedule follow-up discussions, reflecting the commission's careful consideration of community impact, infrastructure capacity, and regulatory compliance.