This subtitle applies to Charles County.

The planning commission consists of seven members who shall represent as many different geographical areas of the county as is possible. A member of the county commissioners may not sit on the planning commission. The term of a member of the planning commission is 4 years. The terms of the members of the planning commission shall be staggered. At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies. Each year, the county commissioners shall appoint the chair of the planning commission. Each member of the planning commission is entitled to the compensation the county commissioners consider appropriate.

Notwithstanding § 4–302 of this article, the members of the board of appeals shall be appointed to 4–year terms. The terms of the members of the board of appeals shall be staggered.

This section applies only to an application for a special exception for: an asphalt plant; a concrete plant; sand and gravel washing, crushing, or screening; or surface mining. Notwithstanding Title 4, Subtitle 3 of this article, the county commissioners may hear and decide a special exception under an appeal filed by a property owner who is aggrieved by a decision of the board of appeals on the special exception. The county commissioners shall hear and decide an appeal of a special exception in accordance with rules and procedures adopted by the county commissioners. If the county commissioners adopt rules and procedures for considering a special exception under this section, the decision of the county commissioners to grant, deny, modify, or remand the application for the special exception is a final decision for which judicial review may be requested in the circuit court under Title 4, Subtitle 4 of this article.

Subject to subsections (b) and (c) of this section, the subdivision regulations may provide for the reservation of property for traffic, recreation, or other public purposes. A reservation of property under subsection (a) of this section may not continue for longer than 3 years without the written approval of all persons with a legal or equitable interest in the property. The subdivision regulations shall provide for public notice and an opportunity for a public hearing before a property may be reserved.

Section 5–301 of this article does not apply to the sale or negotiation for sale of industrial property.

If the county commissioners abate a violation of a zoning law, the county commissioners may assess against the property the reasonable costs of the abatement. The assessment shall be: added to the annual tax bill of the property to be collected in the same manner as ordinary taxes are collected; and subject to the same interest and penalty for nonpayment as provided by law for the nonpayment of county taxes. The assessment is a lien against the property from the date of assessment until paid.