Darlington zoning hearing will consider firewood processing and construction-services operation

Harford County has scheduled a zoning hearing for a Darlington property where applicants are seeking permission for proposed firewood processing and distribution and construction services.

Case 6047 is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 19, 2026, in the County Council Chambers at 212 S. Bond Street in Bel Air. The case concerns 3740 Smith Road in Darlington and lists Sawmill Acres LLC, Ben Brittain and Brittain Tree Services LLC as applicants. The proposal remains undecided.

Two special exceptions are requested

The county hearing notice says the applicants are seeking two special exceptions in the Agricultural District. One request, under Section 267-88(E)2 of the Harford County Code, concerns a firewood processing and distribution service. The second, under Section 267-88(H)1, concerns a construction-services use.

Harford County describes the Agricultural District as a zoning area intended to support farming, conserve agricultural land and maintain rural character. Because the proposed uses require special-exception approval, the scheduled hearing is a land-use review—not evidence that either operation has been approved, built or begun operating.

What the county notice establishes

The county notice places the case in the Fifth Election District at 3740 Smith Road, Darlington, and names Sawmill Acres LLC, Ben Brittain and Brittain Tree Services LLC as the applicants. The county has posted an amended application with the Case 6047 hearing materials.

The hearing notice does not quantify the proposed operation’s size, number of workers, truck traffic, operating hours, storage arrangements or environmental effects. Those details should be confirmed in the amended application, concept plan, staff report, department recommendation and any conditions filed before the hearing.

How the county process works

Harford County says Board of Appeals applications are processed through the Department of Planning and Zoning and forwarded to a hearing examiner. The county’s Board of Appeals page says the examiner’s decision is final unless appealed, while the zoning code describes the examiner’s written action as a recommendation that is deemed adopted by the Board unless final argument is requested within 20 days.

Under the code, the Board may affirm, reverse, modify or remand the hearing examiner’s recommendation. The Board’s written decision is subject to appeal. County staff reports and department recommendations are advisory information; they do not themselves approve or deny a special-exception request.

The county may impose conditions, limitations or restrictions on a special-exception approval. The zoning code identifies factors including traffic, public safety, access to roads, odors, dust, smoke, vibration, glare, noise, public services and environmental effects. Listing those standards does not establish that any particular impact will occur at 3740 Smith Road.

What Darlington residents can watch for

The August 19 hearing is scheduled in Bel Air rather than Darlington. Residents and other interested parties following the case can review the county’s Case 6047 docket and Planning and Zoning materials for the amended application, site plans, staff analysis, recommendations and any posted conditions.

The hearing is the next formal decision point for the proposed uses at 3740 Smith Road. Any final approval, denial, appeal or operating conditions should be reported separately after the county process produces those actions.

Sources

• Harford County Board of Appeals process and special-exception guidance