ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY
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Capital Facility Connection Charge
Anne Arundel County government has developed a FAQ document regarding recently passed Capital Facility Connection Charge legislation and reductions for your reference and convenience. Read the document >>>
SDAT
Public Works Agreements
The County Executive introduced Bill 17-16 requiring public works agreements to be executed and delivered simultaneous with the approval of a plat or no later than 12 months after the plat has been recorded. This bill originally allowed only a 6 month window, but MBIA led advocacy resulted in an amendment extending the time to 12 months.
Peer Review Process
The County Executive introduced bill 23-16 which authorizes the County to create a peer review process for development plan reviews. After passage, the County must come up with rules and regulations for peer reviews but all reviews would be paid for solely by the developer as a voluntary option in lieu of traditional County reviews. This bill will be heard on April 18th.
Cluster Development
Councilman Pete Smith has introduced resolution 11-16 which calls for a review of cluster developments in Anne Arundel County due to "concern over the use of cluster development in Anne Arundel County due to its potential to increase density possible resultant harm to the environment" as expressed by "local community representatives." The resolution also asks the County Executive to introduce legislation creating moratorium on approvals of cluster developments during the pendency of this review. This resolution will be heard on April 4th.
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BALTIMORE CITY
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Transform Baltimore Zoning Code Update
The City Council Land Use and Transportation Committee is nearing completion of voting on amendments to the new zoning code, Transform Baltimore. MBIA protected the vast majority of "permitted" uses in all areas of the City, including for residential development, in the use tables and will continue to represent the industry at every voting session to protect the significant gains made in crafting the new zoning code. The MBIA looks forward to completion of this monumental task in the spring.
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BALTIMORE COUNTY
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Fair Housing
Baltimore County announced a settlement with the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development regarding a fair housing complaint filed by several local housing advocates. The settlement calls for the County to create 1,000 affordable units over 10 years in prosperous neighborhoods while also introducing "source of income" legislation to prohibit housing discrimination based housing vouchers. Baltimore County Planning Director Andrea Van Arsdale and Baltimore County Housing Director Marsha Parham will attend the MBIA Baltimore County Chapter Meeting on May 4th at noon at MRA/GTA's Towson location to explain this settlement and the myriad developer incentives available to create 1,000 new units. Contact Josh Greenfeld
for more information or to RSVP.
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CHARLES COUNTY
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Taxing Districts for Infrastructure Improvements - Repeal of Restriction
HB-137 is now before Senate and was favorable reported out of the Budget and Taxation committee. This bill repeals a restriction on Charles County's authority to establish special taxing districts. Under current law, the county may only establish special taxing districts in a commercial or light industrial zone.
Commission to Discuss Comprehensive Plan in Upcoming Meetings
The Planning Commission has scheduled meetings dedicated to development of a new Comprehensive Plan. The meetings are scheduled for Feb. 8, and Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. in the Commissioner's meeting room at the Charles County Government building (200 Baltimore Street, La Plata). Planning Commission meeting agendas are
available for public viewing.
Background materials are also available.
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HARFORD COUNTY
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Wetland Buffer Zone
Bill 002, a priority of the Chapter, which alters the definition of non-tidal wetlands passed the County Council on March 15th in an amended fashion. The current definition results in small, isolated low-lying areas being classified as wetlands and requiring a 75 foot buffer that often creates a buffer zone significantly larger than the "wetland" itself. This bill, as amended, allows isolated non-tidal wetlands less than 10,000 square feet to be buffered by a 25 foot barrier rather than 75 feet.
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HOWARD COUNTY
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Infill Development
Councilman Weinstein introduced Bill 15-2016 which modifies regulations on residential infill development in established neighborhoods. The MBIA worked closely with Councilman Weinstein and County Executive Kittleman's administration on this legislation to ensure that it met its goal of making infill development more compatible with existing neighborhoods without limiting the ability of infill builders to construct homes within these communities. The MBIA has not taken a position on this legislation which was heard publicly on March 21st.
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY
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2017 Budget
2017 Montgomery County Operating Budget Public Hearing April 5, 6 and 7th.
Right-of-way Access Agreement
The Department of Permitting Services is delaying implementation requiring the Access Agreement for on-site Storm Water Management Facilities, especially for infill builders.
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PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY
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Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission - Extraordinary Development District
PG/MC 109-16 would authorize the designation of an extraordinary development district for certain purposes and authorizes the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission to pledge certain property taxes to a certain special fund for an extraordinary development district under certain circumstances. This bill would also provide that a certain agreement regarding an extraordinary development district must be executed by the Commission and the governing body of Prince George's County. This bill is now before the Senate's Budget and Taxation Committee on 3/31/2016.
View the bill >>>,
Land Use Permit Review - Consolidation
The proposed land use permit review consolidation bill,
PG/MC 110-16, died in the Bi-County Subcommittee. This Bill would have consolidate the review of certain permits for land use in Prince George's County in the Prince George's County Department of Permits, Inspections, and Enforcement; providing for mandatory exclusive review of certain permits by the Department and not by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission or a unit of the Commission.
Forest Conservation Act - Net Tract Area
PG/MC 114-16 passed out of the Prince George's Delegation favorable with amendments and has moved to the House. The bill would alter the defined term "net tract area" as it applies in Prince George's County to afforestation and reforestation requirements under the Forest Conservation Act to include, under certain circumstances, existing forested land that is located in a 100-year floodplain. A public hearing has been scheduled for March 30th in the Environment & Transportation Committee.
View the bill >>>
Appointment Procedures for Commissioner to the Planning Commission
PG/MC 118-16 died in the Bi-County Subcommittee. This bill would have repealed certain provisions of law establishing the appointment procedures for a member of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. The Prince George's County Council would have had the ability to appoint all five (5) commissioners. Those appointees selected would then be subject to the approval of the County Executive.
County Executive Baker Presents Proposed FY 2017 Budget
County Executive Rushern L. Baker presented his FY 2017 Proposed Operating and Capital Budgets. The Proposed FY 2017 Budget for all operating funds is $3.70 billion, an increase of $160.8 million or 4.5% over the FY 2016 budget. The General Fund accounts for 84.1% of all spending in FY 2017 and will increase by $157.8 million, or 5.4%. County source revenues will increase by $96.6 million or 5.7%. The growth is primarily driven by anticipated increases in both income tax receipts and property transaction tax receipts, as well as the expected revenue gains from the mid-year opening of MGM National Harbor.
- The proposed FY 2017 budget includes $9 million from the Economic Development Incentive (EDI) Fund to continue investing in the economy. The Economic Development Corporation and the Financial Services Corporation will continue to use the EDI fund, along with other available financial incentives, to retain and attract businesses to Prince George's County.
- The FY 2017 budget includes an investment to improve service delivery through the acquisition of a new $5.3 million permitting system for the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement to improve and accelerate the permitting process.
- The County's investment in the Stormwater Management Fund increases in FY 2017 by $0.6 million or 0.8% for a total of $67.6 million to support various water quality programs.
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ST MARY'S COUNTY
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St. Mary's Delegation's Property Tax Bill
HB-917 would allow the county or a municipality in the county, to grant a property tax credit to a site leased or owned by a new or expanding business that creates at least 10 full time jobs. The industry in question must be one that has been targeted to expand by the county's economic development commission. The bill has been cross filed in the Senate with SB 998.
Code Home Rule
The Board of County Commissioner will hold a public hearing to consider a proposed Resolution that would make St. Mary's County a Code Home Rule county, subject to approval at referendum. The Commissioners of St. Mary's County will hold Public Hearings on:
- Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. at the Golden Beach Fire Department located at 29848 Therese Circle, Mechanicsville, MD 20659
- Tuesday, May 10, 2016 beginning at 6:30 p.m.in the Commissioners' Meeting Room in the Chesapeake Building, 41770 Baldridge Street, Leonardtown, Maryland.
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WICOMICO COUNTY
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Wicomico County Tier Program
At their March 1, 2016 meeting the Wicomico County Council consented to the Planning Department's recommendation to incorporate the preliminary Wicomico County Tier Program (Map and Language) into the 2016 Draft Wicomico County Comprehensive Plan. It is proposed that the authority to review and approve residential subdivisions will remain with the Planning and Zoning Commission. The authority to review and approve amendments to the water and sewer plan will remain with the Wicomico County Council. This consent does not represent an official action of the County Council to adopt the Tier Map Program.
Salisbury Riverwalk
The City of Salisbury will celebrate the completion of a $1.5M makeover of Salisbury's Riverwalk in June. Walkways, railings and bulkheads have been replaced or repaired. Funding will be included in the City's 2017 budget to pay for landscaping and the creation of an amphitheater in an area near the LaQunita hotel. The Riverwalk repairs figure prominently in a 20-year plan design to guide development, link neighborhoods and improve streetscapes and pedestrian traffic in Salisbury's urban core.
Streets and Addressing System
Wicomico County has introduced Legislative Bill 2016-03 to amend Chapter 197 of the Wicomico County Code, titled "Streets and Addressing System." This bill would provide the County authority to regulate street or road improvements due to the traffic flow associated with new residential, commercial, agricultural, or industrial building permits. A public hearing will be held Tuesday, April 5, 2016.
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WORCHESTER COUNTY
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Public Safety-Townhouse Fire Sprinkler Systems
The Worcester County Commissioners have passed Emergency Bill 16-2 Public Safety-Townhouse Fire Sprinkler Systems. This bill will reduce the cost of automatic fire sprinkler systems required in a group of three or more townhouse units in Worcester County where an automatic audible enunciator and exterior fire department connection is provided. Instead of a NFPA 13R system builders will be able to install a NFPA 13D system that is used for one and two-family dwellings and manufactured homes. The Town of Ocean City has already revised their code to reflect this emergency bill.
EDUs
The Worcester County Commissioners have approved the sale of 109 private EDUs in the Mystic Harbour service area. However, they passed a measure banning further private sale or speculation of EDUs in the Mystic Harbour service area. The county must sell 30 EDUs of Mystic Harbour capacity each year in order to finance the $8.1 million left on a bond used to fund upgrades to the plant.
Mobile Home Zoning
The Ocean City Town Council has approved adding two inches in height and a greater incline on the roofs of residences in mobile home zoning districts.
Rental License
The Ocean City Town Council has raised its rental application fee to $166 for all R-1 applications and passed fines for non-compliance. Failure to obtain an R-1 rental license would result in an initial fine of $500 with 15 days to comply, followed by a $1,000 fine levied if the license was not obtained from 16 days to 30 days, and a $1,000 fine for each day after 30 days the rental property is not in compliance. In addition, no more than four unrelated persons are allowed in the residence during the lodging period.
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OTHER INDUSTRY NEWS
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Maryland Fire Sprinkler Alert
OSHA's Final Silica Rule
The Occupational Health & Safety Administration has finalized its Silica Rule (March 25, 2016 Federal Register).
https://www.osha.gov/silica/ The rule drastically lowers the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of crystalline silica for the construction industry, requiring medical surveillance of construction industry workers, and extensive and costly record keeping processes. Certain construction site work practices would have new restrictions that contradict existing safety procedures. Click here for the OSHA Construction Fact Sheet. The construction industry must comply byJune 23, 2017, one year after the effective date of the rule. However, Maryland Occupational Safety and Health still must adopt the rule.
From the very beginning of this process,
NAHB has expressed concerns to the agency and Congress about how the rule would affect real-world residential construction sites. OSHA has estimated that the rule will cost the construction industry approximately $511 million to implement; however, other economic analysts estimate the cost to be closer to $4.9 billion per year.
NAHB will provide additional details about any potential impact upon review of the final rule. Maryland Occupational Safety and Health still must adopt the rule. For questions or concerns about the proposed rule, contact
Rob Matuga at 202-266-8507or [email protected].
2015 National Green Building Standard Approved by ANSI
The 2015 National Green Building Standard has been approved by the
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as an ANSI Standard. A free electronic version of the Standard will be released for download at
www.builderbooks.com
and hard copies will be available for purchase.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Housing Statistics - MBIA provides members with
comprehensive graphs of permits and home sales for each county in our area broken down by month.
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Maryland Building
Industry Association
11825 West Market Place
Fulton, MD 20759
301-776-MBIA (6242)
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Chief Executive Officer
Chief Lobbyist,
State Advocacy
Senior Vice President,
Government Affairs
Vice President,
Government Affairs
Vice President,
Government Affairs
Director,
Regulatory Affairs
Vice President,
Government Affairs
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WHO DO YOU KNOW?
Help us make a connection.
Tell us if you know a Federal or Maryland State legislator and how you know them. Are you a neighbor, friend, business associate or second cousin twice removed? We want to know. In the future, we may call on you to introduce us to that legislator. This can make a big difference when important legislation effecting the building industry comes our way.
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Together We Can Do More
Join MBIA Today
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The Maryland Building Industry Association has a government affairs staff of representing you and your interests in each county and at the state level from the Maryland State Builders Association and federally f
rom the National Association of Home Builders.
Add up the dollar value of our advocacy victories and you're talking real money - from $6,882 up to $61,000 per housing start depending on the jurisdiction. That's a big number, and a big step toward success.
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Look back through the monthly reports of issues impacting the home building industry.
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