August 03, 2026 Meeting Minutes - Maryland Board of Examiners of Landscape Architects
DATE: August 03, 2026
TIME: 10:30 A.M.
LOCATION:100 S. Charles Street
Tower 1
Baltimore, MD 21201
(Teleconference via Google Meet)
Access Using Video Conferencing
meet.google.com/cbr-wghq-hdx
Phone: +1 413-998-6090 PIN: 587 641 053#
MEMBERS PRESENT:Christopher Schein, Chair, Landscape Architect
John Sullivan, Secretary, Landscape Architect
Heather English, Landscape Architect
Melvilynn Allen, Consumer Member
MEMBERS ABSENT: Michelle Brown, Consumer Member
STAFF PRESENT: Raquel Meyers, Interim Executive Director
Matthew Venuti, Board Counsel
Dorian Price, Administrative Specialist
OTHERS PRESENT: None
Meeting Called to Order
Mr. Chris Schein, Chair, called the Board of the Examiners of Landscape Architects meeting to order at 1:33 p.m.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Board members reviewed the minutes of the business meeting held on April 20, 2026. Motion (I) was made by Ms. English, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, and unanimously carried by the Board to approve the April 20th meeting minutes without corrections.
Correspondence
None
Review of Applications
Motion (II) was made by Ms. English, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, and unanimously carried by the board to approve (10) reciprocal applications for licensure. There was one (1) reciprocity application that required additional documentation or clarification. Reciprocal candidate 08-IK-26 was placed in pending status for request of additional information.
Motion (III) was made by Ms. English, seconded by Ms. Allen, and unanimously carried by the board to approve (5) L.A.R.E applications.
Executive Diretor's Report
Ms. Meyers reported the recruitment for Executive Director was extended until August 05, 2026. Ms. Meyers also reported the annual CLARB conference will commence in Alberta, Canada from August 26-29, 2026; noting registration has closed as of July 24, 2026. Ms. Meyers concluded her report by stating that all out-of-state travel requests must be submitted at least 45 days prior to the travel date to the Office of the Commissioner for signature, the Office of Administration, and the Office of the Secretary for final approval.
Board Counsel's Report
Mr. Venuti reported on the Modernization Act, which will take effect on October 1, 2026, and modernize the language regarding the designation of licensed landscape architects, changing the title to Professional Landscape Architects. He also noted the implementation of Emeritus status for retired landscape architects. These administrative updates will become effective following approval of the new legislation.
Mr. Venuti noted that the proposed changes are primarily cosmetic, with the exception of the addition of the new fee, which is necessary to begin approving applications under this process. He explained that the Board must first approve the proposed changes through a motion. Following approval, the proposed regulations will be submitted for publication in the Maryland Register. Once published, the regulations will undergo the required public comment and review period before final adoption. The Board will then consider final approval at the next meeting, after which the changes will become effective. Motion (IV) was made by Ms. English, seconded by Ms. Allen, and unanimously carried by the board to approve the proposed regulations to be submitted for publication in the l Maryland Register.
New Business
Mr. Schein introduced Mr. John Sullivan as the new board member of the Professional Landscape Architects board.
Ms. Meyers gave contributory recognition to former Executive Director Zevi Thomas, acknowledging his leadership and dedication to the Professional Design Boards.
Old Business
Regulatory Committee Report for Statute and Regulation Review
Mr. Venuti noted that the Board had previously tabled this matter pending approval of the legislation and advised that the Board should revisit the topic. He further noted that the digital signature requirements and regulatory review are also part of this discussion. The Board will need to reestablish or continue the committee to review these matters.
During the selection of officers, the Board will discuss committee assignments and membership. Ms. English noted that she reviewed the CLARB website to compare requirements with other jurisdictions and observed that Maryland was listed as requiring 50% of experience to be obtained under the supervision of a landscape architect for accredited degree applicants. Ms. English stated that she was unable to locate this requirement in the Board’s statutes or regulations and questioned the source of this requirement.
Mr. Schein explained that Maryland has historically allowed experience to be gained under the supervision of other licensed professionals or authorized individuals, depending on the nature of the work performed. He noted that experience gained under professionals such as certified planners or other licensed design professionals may be considered if the work aligns with landscape architecture practice.
Mr. Venuti clarified that the statute previously required experience to be obtained under the responsible charge of a licensed landscape architect or other authorized individual. The statute was amended during the previous legislative session to require experience under the responsible charge of a Professional Landscape Architect or other licensed design professional and otherwise satisfactory to the Board. He explained that when experience is not directly supervised by a landscape architect, applicants must provide sufficient documentation demonstrating that the work performed was related to landscape architecture practice.
The Board discussed further reviewing the experience requirements and determining whether updates or clarifications are needed. Mr. Venuti and Mr. Schein agreed that the committee should be reestablished to conduct a more detailed review and eventually present recommendations to the Board.
Mr. Schein inquired whether he could participate on the committee as Chair. Ms. Meyers confirmed that he could serve on the committee. Ms. English thanked Mr. Schein for his assistance and noted that the committee would meet outside of regular Board meetings to review the requirements, compare practices with other jurisdictions, and identify potential updates.
Ms. English further noted that the committee may consult with Mr. Venuti to assist with drafting proposed changes and determining whether additional stakeholder input, including ASLA, would be beneficial. The committee will also review topics such as digital signature requirements and regulatory alignment with other professional boards.
Annual Selection of Officers
Ms. Allen nominated Mr. Schein for the position of Board Chair. The nomination was unanimously approved by the Board.
Mr. Schein nominated Mr. Sullivan for the position of Secretary. The nomination was unanimously approved by the Board.
Following the approval of the nominations, the Board officers for the term were established as follows: Mr. Schein, Chair; and Mr. Sullivan, Secretary.
The Board approved the following committee appointments:
Mr. Schein nominated Ms. English for regulation review committee and Ms. Allen as liaison of complaint committee.
Digital Signature and Regulation Review
None
Executive Session:
None
Complaint Committee Report
None
Adjournment
The next meeting is scheduled for October 19, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. There being no further business to discuss, Motion (V) was made by Mr. Sullivan, seconded by Ms. English, and unanimously carried by the board to adjourn the meeting at 2:27pm.