Zoning Administrator

Disputing a characterization of his proposed methadone treatment center in a Westminster neighborhood as a medical clinic, the operator of three other facilities in Maryland said he would offer a "medication-assisted program" in a professional office setting. At yesterday's Board of Zoning Appeals hearing, Brian Prichard said his proposed center would provide therapy sessions, mental health counseling and medication assistance much like other professional offices in the downtown area that provide similar health-related services.

An operator of several methadone clinics in Maryland is fighting a zoning decision that prohibits him from opening such a treatment center in a Westminster neighborhood near downtown. Neal Berch, who owns three such clinics in the state, had inquired with city officials last year about operating a center "specializing in methadone maintenance" in the 200 block of E. Main St., near Washington Road, according to correspondence between Berch's lawyer and the city's zoning administrator. After initially finding that such a facility would be allowed under the city's zoning ordinance, Westminster zoning administrator Laurell Taylor changed her interpretation of the ordinance.

The Carroll County Board of Zoning Appeals rejected yesterday an appeal by two Finksburg families who say they should be allowed to maintain a recreational track in their back yards. The board's decision underscores what county officials say is becoming a problem in Carroll County. In recent months, complaints about all-terrain vehicles and motorized dirt bikes in residential subdivisions have raised concerns about noise. A committee, which met for the second time last month, is examining ways to alleviate those concerns.

The South Carroll Democratic Club will meet at 7 p.m. tomorrow in the community room of Carrolltown Center in Eldersburg. Neil Ridgely, Carroll County zoning administrator, will be the guest speaker. Information: 410-795-2896. Country fair to include farmers' market, bake shop St. Barnabas Episcopal Church will hold a country fair from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Parish House, 7609 Main St., Sykesville. The expanded fair will feature a farmers' market with homemade apple butter, mincemeat, jellies, country sausage, nuts and dried fruit that can be pre-ordered for pick-up at the fair; a bake shop; and a craft shop.

Former Carroll County Attorney Laurell Taylor has been hired as Westminster's new city clerk and zoning administrator. Taylor, who resigned from the county post in August, replaces John Dudderar, who retired last month after working 37 years for the city. "She's a perfect fit," Council President Damian L. Halstad said of Taylor, who was appointed to the post at last night's Common Council meeting. "She's very smart, approachable and friendly. Her experience at the county with zoning issues of all types will really help her with this job."

After 37 years of working for the city, Westminster City Clerk John D. Dudderar is retiring. Dudderar, 65, submitted his resignation Thursday. It will be effective Feb. 1. "This wasn't a surprise to anybody," he said Friday. "I've been hinting about this for some time." Dudderar, who lives just outside Westminster city limits, started working for the city as a water meter reader in 1964. He was promoted to assistant city clerk/zoning administrator in 1969 and to city clerk/zoning administrator in 1972.

County reassigns duties of retiring zoning administrator The Carroll County commissioners have announced the reallocation of responsibilities in county government since zoning administrator Robert A. "Max" Bair's retirement. Until a permanent replacement is named, Ralph Green will serve as acting zoning administrator. He is director of the Department of Permits, Inspections and Review. Jolene Sullivan, director of the Department of Citizen Services, will coordinate the county's character program.

After 31 years in the county's employ, Robert A. "Max" Bair is leaving the job that has been his lifelong career. Carroll County's zoning administrator and the commissioners' special assistant announced his retirement Friday, effective immediately. He planned to spend yesterday packing up his office on the third floor of the County Office Building in Westminster, a modest space adjacent to the commissioners' offices. Then he will ponder his future, certain that it will include ways to help "make positive changes in the community in which I live," he said.

With developers and property owners facing months of delays in getting their zoning cases heard in Baltimore, Mayor Martin O'Malley has hired a new administrator who is determined to speed up the work of the city's powerful zoning board. David C. Tanner, a 30-year city employee, became executive director of the Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals last week. Previously the city's zoning administrator and general superintendent of housing inspection services, Tanner applied for the job with a plan for clearing a backlog in zoning cases that forces developers and property owners to wait up to six months to begin projects or renovations.

The county commissioners have ordered staff to review Carroll's zoning laws, as the three-member board moves forward with plans to consider rezoning 47 mostly rural properties for commercial or industrial use. The directive was issued during a routine staff meeting yesterday, after the commissioners learned that county zoning laws fail to address Carroll's need for assisted-living facilities for seniors. Current zoning laws allow for nursing homes as a conditional use on farmland, but make no mention of assisted-living and continuing care retirement communities.