Opinion ID: 2556180
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Procedure for Departure for Design Standards Requests

Text: The statute governing a Departure from Design Standards request allows for such a request to arrive in the District Council in two ways: The Planning Board's decision may be appealed to the District Council upon petition of any person of record [within thirty days]. The District Council may vote to review the Planning Board's decision on its own motion within thirty (30) days after the date of the notice. PG Code § 27-239.01(b)(9). Here, the review was triggered by the District Council's own motion. Once it elects to review a DDS decision, the governing statutes provide review procedures, and the Council may based on the record, approve, approve with conditions, remand, or deny the application. PG Code § 27-132(f)(2). Perhaps more importantly, the local code imposes a mandatory procedure after the discretionary election to review an agency decision: (C) The District Council shall schedule a public hearing on the appeal or review. The hearing shall be held in accordance with Section 27-132 (District Council hearing procedures). (D) Within sixty (60) days after the close of the Council's hearing, the Council shall affirm, reverse, or modify the decision of the Planning Board, or return the proposed departure to the Planning Board to take further testimony or reconsider its decision. (E) The Council shall give its decision in writing, stating the reasons for its action. Copies of the decision shall be sent to all persons of record and the Planning Board. PG Code § 27-239.01(b)(9). The District Council is required to make specific written findings of basic facts and conclusions. PG Code § 27-141. With regard to the DDS request, we find that a withdrawal of election is clearly not provided for by the detailed statutory scheme. Notably, the DDS procedure is littered with shalls and provides a specific, mandatory path for an appeal after election to review. These code provisions clearly delineate a required procedure for an election to review a DDS procedure and require the District Council to hold a public hearing and reach a written decision.