STATE OF MARYLAND 
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ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY
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County School Utilization Chart
The Anne Arundel County School Utilization Chart for 2017 (the "open close chart") has been introduced to the County Council as Bill 94-15. View the chart>>>. A vote is scheduled for December 7th.
Bill 105-15
Chairman Jerry Walker has introduced Bill 105-15 which is intended to close a gap in the Adequate Public Facilities law that allows a school to be considered open by the Board of Education based on new school capacity having been added but not open by the Office of Planning and Zoning because a new school chart has not been enacted since capacity was added. The MBIA supports this bill. View the letter of support for the bill >>>.
APF Schools Test 95% Capacity
Councilman Grasso has introduced Bill 108-15 which reduces the definition of an "open" school to one at or below 95 percent of State Rated Capacity from the existing 100 percent. This change would "close" approximately 2/3 of Anne Arundel County to new development. The MBIA strongly opposes this bill, which will be heard on December 7.
Bill 106-15
The County Executive has introduced Bill 106-15 which, under certain circumstances, allows an age restricted development to go from 100 percent age restricted to 80 percent age restricted. The MBIA has not taken a position on this bill.
Capital Facility Connection Fee Reduction
County Executive Schuh has introduced Bill 111-15 which cuts capital facility connection charges by 25 percent while eliminating capital facility deferral fees entirely. A hearing has been set for December 21. The MBIA strongly supports this bill, which has been a top priority of the Anne Arundel County Chapter since the County Executive took office.
APF Test De-Coupling
County Executive Schuh also introduced Bill 110-15 which allows a developer to defer the test for adequacy of water and sewer facilities until Final Plan or Site Development Plan approval. The MBIA supports this bill which will be heard December 21.
Engineering Updates
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BALTIMORE CITY
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CHAP Approves New Guidelines
CHAP Historic Tax Credit - City Council Bill 15-0585 to re-authorize the CHAP Historic Tax Credit for four years has been introduced in the City Council. It was approved by the CHAP Board and went before the Planning Commission on November 19 for approval. MBIA supports this bill and sent
this letter in support>>>
Votes on the 900 plus amendments to the Transform Baltimore Zoning Code Re-write continue with voting sessions occurring weekly. MBIA attends every voting session and will continue to attend these voting sessions until all amendments are accounted for. The MBIA is advocating to ensure that new steps and negative appeal rights are not added to the development process and that the new code gives builders flexibility to build the appropriate product in the appropriate location. There are voting sessions scheduled at City Hall at both 10 am and 2 pm on November 23 and 30 and December 17.
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BALTIMORE COUNTY
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Open Space Waiver Fee Increase
Baltimore County Councilman David Marks introduced Resolution 90-15 which raises local open space waiver fees on projects in the downtown Towson area by $2000 to $3500 per unit depending on zoning classification. The bill includes a tiered grandfathering provision. MBIA opposed this resolution arguing for a comprehensive bill to address local open space fee and manual issues. A vote on the resolution has been deferred.
Bill 78-15
Councilman Tom Quirk passed Bill 78-15 which requires a reporting to the County Council by the County Administrative Officer to report various details of local open space waivers granted by the County each year. MBIA has not taken a position on this legislation.
Bill 84-15
Councilman Quirk also passed Bill 84-15 which specifies that a local open space waiver fee cannot be lower than the amount specified by the County Administrator. MBIA took no position on this legislation as this bill is a re-statement of current law.
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CALVERT COUNTY
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Board of County Commissioners says yes to term limits
The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners voted to support a legislative proposal to request the state pass a law enacting term limits of three consecutive terms for county commissioners in Calvert.
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CHARLES COUNTY
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Comprehensive Plan Update
The Board of County Commissioners is looking at amending the Charles County Comprehensive Plan by adding affordable housing. The public comment period has ended, but the Board of County Commissioners is looking to make some additional amendments.
Airport Land Use Study
The Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on December 8, 2015 to discuss the Maryland Airport Land Use Study.
Update on Development Rights Agreements
The Charles County Board of County Commissioner voted 3-2 to grant an extension on DRA's until March 7, 2016. There are currently 20 pending DRA applications that are currently waiting for movement by the Board of County Commissioners.
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HARFORD COUNTY
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Impact Fees
Bill 15-033 passed the County Council on November 17. The bill changes the date at which impact fees are payable from building permit to the first of 12 month after building permit or at U&O. This bill has been a priority of the Upper Chesapeake Chapter for over a year and the MBIA supports this business friendly legislation. Click here to see MBIA's letter of support>>>
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HOWARD COUNTY
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APF
The Howard County Adequate Public Facilities Task Force, which includes MBIA members Paul Revelle, Steve Breeden, Bruce Harvey and John Startt has been meeting since August 26th to discuss possible changes to the APF ordinance for recommendation to the County Executive in the fall. The Task Force is looking to conclude its work early in 2016.
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY
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ZTA 15-09 The Zoning "Omnibus" Bill
This bill came to the PHED and in response to the MBIA request, the committee remanded the bill back to the Planning Board to reconsider their recommendation to require separate space for forest conservation and open space that would eliminate use of 35 percent of a typical site.
Bill 31-15 Radon Test
This bill passed to include new home and resale homes to include a radon test prior to closing. Certain sales are exempt including sales where the home is to be demolished as is often the case with our infill builders. The bill takes effect October 1st, 2016.
Expedited Bill 47-15, Taxation - Transportation Impact Tax - Revisions.
The MBIA supports this bill to allow use of the impact tax credits to make improvement to County roads without necessarily increasing capacity, to make improvements to State roads and to extend the life of the tax credits to 12 years from the current sex years. Public Hearing is scheduled for December 8.
Montgomery County Chapter Meeting
We plan to have Melanie Wenger join us to go over the County's Legislative priorities for the 2016 session.
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PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY
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CB-80-2015 & CB-81-2015 Validity Extension Bills Approved
The County Council adopted two extension bills that would extend the validity periods of all approved applications for Preliminary Plans of Subdivision, DSP & SDP for the next two years. In addition, the County Council established a work group to determine viability of approved preliminary plans. Both bills passed by a vote of 7-2 (Council Members Danielle Glaros & Mary Lehman voted against the bills).
Streamlining for Economic Growth Acts of 2015
The County Council adopted three (3) bills that would streamline the development process and promote economic development in Prince George's County:
- CB-82-2015 - Preliminary Plans and Final Plats of SubdivisionReduce timelines and create certainly in our development plan review process by streamlining and removing gaps in the time limits for Planning Board and District Council reviews of site plans and Planning Board reviews preliminary plans and final plats of subdivision;
- CB-83-2015 - CDP, CSP, DSP, and SDP Plans and Final Plats of Subdivision BillThis bill shortening and establishing more consistent time periods for the reviews by the Planning Board and the District Council of Comprehensive Design Plans, Conceptual Site Plans, Detailed Site Plans, and Specific Design Plans and generally relating to development plan reviews. This bill also set a limit on remand action on an application by the District Council to one time pursuant to specified grounds within a written Order of Remand, and to shorten the time period for action on development applications by the District Council.
- CB-84-2015 - Building and Grading Permits
This bill establishes a 21 calendar day goal for the issuance of building and grading permits for projects enrolled in the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement's (DPIE) Peer Review Program. The Director of DPIE is authorized to adopt and enforce regulations to implement this Act. DPIE is required to report on a semiannual basis to the County Executive and the County Council on the building and/or grading projects in its Peer Review Program. The sponsor of the legislation was Council Chair Mel Franklin and the County Council adopted the three (3) bills favorably 9-0
Prince George's House Delegation reviews three bi-county bills
Prince George's House of Delegation held a public hearing to review local and bi-county bills for the upcoming 2016 Legislative Session. Three (3) bi-county bills of interest were the following:
- PG/MC 110-16 Prince George's County - Land Use Permit Review - Consolidation This bill would 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; providing for certain reviews and appeals of certain permit reviews in certain manners; providing that certain zoning and subdivision conditions be reviewed by the Department; providing for the construction of this Act; providing for the application of this Act; defining a certain term; and generally relating to review of permits for land use in Prince George's County. The Bi-County Committee will hold a work session on this bill in January 2016.
- PG/MC 111-16 Prince George's County - Land Use - Zoning Powers and Review (The Zimmer Bill)This bill would provide for the review of certain zoning matters by the district council in Prince George's County in a certain manner; providing that certain authority of the county planning board over certain zoning matters in the portion of the regional district located in Prince George's County is not exclusive and is subject to review and final decision by the district council in certain manners; providing that certain zoning powers within the portion of the regional district located in Prince George's County are vested in and may only be exercised by the district council; and generally relating to land use authority and decisions in Prince George's County. MBIA testified against this bill. The Bi-County Committee will hold a work session on this bill in January 2016.
- PG/MC 114-16 Prince George's County - Forest Conservation Act - Net Tract AreaThis 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. We testified on this bill. We propose amendments to this bill. The Bi-County Committee will hold a work session on this bill in January 2016.
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ST MARY'S COUNTY
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Lexington Park Development Plan Update
The Board of County Commissioners has scheduled a public hearing for December 8, 2015. There will be a 30 day public comment period after the hearing. The Plan is expected to be approved in late January or early February. After the Lexington Park Development Plan, the Board of County Commissioners will then take up the Charlotte Hall Redevelopment Plan.
Board of County Commissioner interested in bring MetCom under county government
Metropolitan Commission
Commissioner Mike Hewitt suggested a discussion with the state legislators on what it would take to bring the Metropolitan Commission under county government. There are concerns that the costs for businesses to hookup to the water and sewer facilities operated by MetCom are keeping businesses from expanding.
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SOMERSET COUNTY
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5-Year Plan
The Greater Crisfield Action Coalition held a community information and input session to present their five-year plans and goals in the following areas:
- Economic development to grow business and create jobs;
- Workforce development to prepare youth and adults for entry level jobs and successful careers;
- Marketing and branding to promote Crisfield as a tourist destination;
- Youth and recreation programs to develop the next generation of Crisfield's leaders; and
- Housing and home ownership programs to improve residents' quality of life and economic security while growing the Crisfield area.
The Coalition's next meeting will focus on the needs of business, civic and government organizations.
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WICOMICO COUNTY
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Public School Impact Fee
Wicomico County has passed Legislative Bill 2015-14 to impose and declare a moratorium on the imposition and collection of the Public School impact Fee for all new residential dwelling units until December 31, 2016 with an amendment to make it emergency legislation. This means it takes effect immediately.
Sprinkler Regulations
Delegate Chris Adams presented his proposal on Statewide Sprinkler Regulations to the Wicomico County Council on November 17, 2015. His presentation was very board. He started his presentation with teacher retirement mandated to the counties, loss of infrastructure money for roads, taxes and then got into sprinklers. His sprinkler bill draft is very board. Council thanked him for his presentation, but did not indicate one way or the other if they would support sprinkler bill.
Electrical Code
Wicomico County introduced Legislative Bill 2015-17 to amend Chapter 138, titled "Electrical Standards," Section 138-2 to adopt the National Electrical Code 2014, with an amendment and to amend Section 138-13 that requires an applicant to be under the direction and supervision of a master electrician. Hearing for the Bill 2015-17 has been set for December 15, 2015.
Election results for City of Salisbury
Mayor - Jake Day
District 1 - April Jackson
District 2 - Muir Boda
District 3 - Jack Heath (incumbent)
District 4 - Jim Ireton (former mayor)
District 5 - Laura Mitchell (incumbent)
At their organizational meeting Jack Heath was elected President and Laura Mitchell was elected Vice President of the Council.
Lower Shore Wind Partners
Wicomico County business leaders, government officials and economic developers have banded together to form the Lower Shore Wind Partners, a coalition that will help position the region as a wind-energy hub. The wind partnership includes, Wor-Wic Community College, the real estate firm Devreco, the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, Quality Staffing and the Tri-County of the Lower Eastern Shore. The partnership has printed brochures advertising the region to would-be contractors, many of whom are likely to be from Europe.
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WORCHESTER COUNTY
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Triple Crown Estates
Worcester County has approved the development of Triple Crown Estates a residential planned community. The community will become part of Ocean Pines and the homes will retail in the range of $350,000.
Redevelopment
Town of Berlin Council has approved issuing $3 million in general obligation bonds to purchase the former Tyson Chicken plant. The cost of the property including a six-acre parcel on Flower Street is projected to cost $2.5 million. The remaining $500,000 will go toward redevelopment of the former industrial acreage.
Planning and Zoning Amendment
The Town of Berlin has approved a text amendment giving the Berlin Planning and Zoning Commission the authority to approve the construction of apartments bigger than 12 units wide. They placed a cap of 36 units on the apartments. Rinnier Development Company's Seahawk Road project was dependent on the vote.
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OTHER INDUSTRY NEWS
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Montgomery County Hearing on Adoption of IgCC Codes
The Montgomery County of Department of Permitting Services proposes adoption of the International Green Construction Code (IgCC) with amendments as Executive Regulation #21-15. Notice will be published in the
Montgomery County Register
on December 1, 2015. As proposed the regulations will cover new buildings and additions 5000 sf and larger. Single family detached and townhomes are not proposed to be included. For Multifamily Group R-2 and R-4 buildings five stories or more in height, the proposed regulation is expected to allow the alternate path using of the National Green Building Standard (ICC-700) to be deemed to comply with the IgCC. Read the notice here >>>
A public hearing on proposed Executive Regulation 21-15 is scheduled Thursday, December 17, 2015 at 1:30 pm, in the DED Conference Room, 111 Rockville Pike, Suite 800, Rockville, Maryland 20850. Comments may be submitted as indicated in the December 1 Montgomery County Register.
Prince George's County Passes Building Code Bill
Prince George's Council passed 2015 International Building, Mechanical, Energy Conservation, and Residential Codes
On November 17th, the Prince George's Council passed
CB 90-2015
as amended adopting as the 2015 International Building, Mechanical, Energy Conservation, and Residential Codes (IBC, IMC, IECC, and IRC) as the County's Building Code with an effective date of January 1, 2016. The final bill as passed included the MBIA recommended amendment on Kitchen Exhaust Hood Makeup Air that would only require exhaust air is excess of 400 cubic feet per minute to be made up.
WSSC Chooses Carla Reid as New General Manager
The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, the water and sewer authority for Montgomery and Prince George's counties, has chosen Carla Reid as its new general manager to replace Jerry N. Johnson, who has been WSSC's general manager since 2009. The WSSC governing board is still negotiating Ms. Reid's contract.
WSSC Bi-County Bill to Eliminate Quick Take Condemnation Process in Prince George's County
PG/MC 101-16
, WSSC - Eminent Domain - Elimination of Quick Take Authority in Prince George's County,
requested by Delegate Knotts, would repeal WSSC's authority to acquire property in Prince George's County by using a "quick take" condemnation process. The Prince George's Delegation hearing took place on November 16th and Montgomery County Delegation will hold a hearing on December 2nd. Read it here >>>
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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 of 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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