STATE OF MARYLAND
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Septic Requirement
A regulatory change has been proposed to repeal The BAT (best available technology) septic requirement for new construction units and existing homes. MBIA will be submitting supporting comments to the change.
SHA Design Manual
MBIA has requested an Administrator review of recent changes to the State Highway Administration design manual for traffic impact studies and road designs based on concerns expressed by members.
Nutrient Trading Policy
The Final draft Nutrient Trading policy document has been distributed by the Maryland Department of the Environment and is open for comment until October 12th.
MDE Offsets
The Maryland Department of the Environment Offsets or Aligning for Growth policy will be developed through a stakeholder group with a series of meetings beginning later this month.
Door to Door Sales
MBIA submitted a proposal to clarify Door to Door sales requirements for remodelers. The Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation is reviewing the proposal.
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ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY
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Local Forest Conservation Act Passed
Bill O-22-16, re-writing the City of Annapolis Forest Conservation Act was passed second reader of the City Council on September 26th over the MBIA's strenuous objections. MBIA believes this bill will decrease predictability, raise costs for businesses and taxpayers while failing to protect the environment as claimed by the bill's proponents. Read the MBIA's letter of opposition >>>
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BALTIMORE CITY
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Special Guests at Next Chapter Meeting
Please save the date for the next Baltimore City MBIA Chapter meeting on Friday, October 7th at noon at MRA/GTAs Baltimore Office at 1414 Key Highway with Democratic candidates for City Council
Kris Burnett, Yitzy Schleifer and Robert Stokes
. RSVPs are required to
Josh Greenfeld.
Inclusionary Housing Legislation Defeated
Councilman Henry's Inclusionary Housing legislation, CB 16-0735, creating a mandatory inclusionary housing program, was defeated by the City Council on September 12th. MBIA led the charge to defeat this unnecessarily punitive legislation and is now committed to working with the incoming Mayor and City Council to craft a bill that meets Baltimore's affordable and inclusionary housing needs that the development community can support.
Transform Baltimore Hearings Announced
The Land Use and Transportation Committee will hold two public hearings on Transform Baltimore on September 28th at 5pm and October 5th both at 5pm at City Hall. At this time, there is no date announced for map amendment hearings after the initial September 7th date was cancelled. MBIA will continue to keep its members updated on additional voting sessions as they are announced.
Vacants to Value 10k Booster Grants Restored
In last month's LegReg, MBIA regretfully reported that all Vacants to Values funds had been expended for this fiscal year. As a result of MBIA advocacy, the Mayor has made additional money available to fund Vacants to Values Boosters grants. You should now be able to apply for and receive these grants.
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CALVERT COUNTY
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Proposed text amendments to the Calvert County Zoning Ordinance
The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners will hold a Joint Public Hearing on Tuesday, October 4, 2016, at 7:00 pm, in the Planning Commission Hearing Room at Courthouse Square, Ground Floor, 205 Main Street, Prince Frederick, Maryland, to consider proposed text amendments to the Calvert County Zoning Ordinance.
Read the amendments >>>
Gerald "Jerry" Clark appointed to Maryland House of Delegates
Governor Larry Hogan appointed Gerald W. "Jerry" Clark to the Maryland General Assembly. Clark will replace former Delegate Anthony O'Donnell, who accepted an appointment by the governor to the Maryland Public Service Commission earlier this year. From 2002 to 2014, Mr. Clark served on Calvert County's Board of County Commissioners, including terms as both President and Vice President.
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CHARLES COUNTY
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Charles County Announces New Economic Development Advisory Board
Charles County announced today the formation of a new Economic Development Advisory Board, an entity created by the County Commissioners and one of the Economic Development Strategic Plan's key recommendations. Applications are now available for eligible Charles County candidates to serve on the board. Final selection of board members will be announced in October 2016. The new Economic Development Advisory Board will serve as a communications platform for our business community and the public sector to inform the county's economic development policy and programs.
Allocation of School Capacity
The Charles County Board of County Commissioner approved changes to the Adequate Public Facilities Ordnance regarding the allocation of school capacity. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the proposal which would set the allowable capacity at 110 percent of state rated capacity and allow allocations to be granted for capacity programmed in the CIP to be in place with 18 months, as recommended by the Charles County Board of Education. The Department of Planning Growth & Management will be sending out a list of school allocations this fall to the building industry.
Proposed Development Tax
The Charles County Board of County Commissioners held a public hearing in September on the 2017 General Assembly legislative proposals. One of the proposals that is being considered would give the Board of County Commissioners the authority to levy a development tax on all new residential development. If approved it would give the Commissioners the ability to tax school impacts not covered by the excise tax and other public facilities such as roads, water and sewer, parks, libraries, police and fire. The Charles County Chapter opposes the proposed legislation.
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HOWARD COUNTY
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Ellicott City Temporary Development Moratorium Bill Proposed
Using the tragic downtown Ellicott City flood as justification, Councilman Jon Weinstein has proposed CB 65 which creates a 9 month development moratorium in the Tiber-Hudson Watershed (Ellicott City, generally). The MBIA is opposed to this legislation and testified against it at a September 19th public hearing and submitted this testimony >>>
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY
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Zoning Text Amendment 16-08, Commercial/Residential "T" Zones -
Workforce Housing
This amendment allows additional building density and building height in certain Commercial l Residential T Zones when workforce housing is provided, and would generally amend the provisions concerning allowable building density and height in certain Commercial l Residential zones. ZTA 16-08 was approved on Sept. 27 with revisions on recommendation of PHED Committee.
Earned Sick and Safe
Law
T
his law goes into effect on October 1. It will require most employers in the County to provide earned sick and safe leave to employees for work performed in the County.The legislation requires employers to provide earned sick and safe leave at a rate of at least one hour for every 30 hours an employee works in the County up to 56 hours in a calendar year. To help small businesses, an employer with fewer than five employees would have to provide an employee with up to 32 hours of paid sick and safe leave per year plus an additional 24 hours of unpaid sick and safe leave.
ZTA 16-06, Prohibited Signs
No action was taken by PHED and will not be considered by the Council. DPS was directed to be vigilant and responsive to any and all complaints about right-of-way signage under the existing sign law.
Park and Planning Recreation Guidelines
Revisions
are currently in discussion phase with the industry and the Planning Board; a public hearing before the Board is scheduled for November 17. The revisions are extensive, including a new interactive web tool and are intended to provide more flexibility and predictability. Review the proposed guidelines >>>
Radon Testing
As of October 1, 2016, County law requires that "a single-family home located in the County must be tested for radon before completing a sale of the home." The law requires the testing of single-family homes, which includes detached single family homes and townhomes, except those units that are part of a condominium regime or a cooperative housing corporation. The radon testing requirement applies throughout the County, except in the Town of Barnesville, the City of Rockville, the Town of Kensington, and the Town of Poolesville. More information >>>
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PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY
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Preliminary Plans Exemptions
The County Council has proposed CB-72-2016, a bill for the purpose of providing a limited exemption from the preliminary plan of subdivision requirement for conversion of condominium townhouse dwelling units to record lot townhouse dwelling units, under certain circumstances. This bill has been referred to the Committee of the Whole hearing on October 4, 2016.
Mixed-Use Planned Community Development
The County Council has proposed CB-73-2016, a bill that amends the Zoning Ordinance requirements applicable to mixed use planned community development to provide limited alternate regulations, including construction of record lot townhouse residential dwellings, provided the property and proposed development conform with certain statutory requirements. This bill has been referred to the Planning Zoning and Economic Development Committee.
Green Building Permit Incentives
The County Council has proposed CB-76-2016, a bill that provides a reduction of building permit fees for commercial and residential construction and renovations with LEED certification. LEED certified silver - 25 percent reduction; LEED certified gold -50 percent reduction; LEED certified platinum - 75 percent reduction. Further, permit fees for the installation of solar panels are reduced by 50 percent. This bill has been referred to the Transportation, Housing and Environment Committee.
Transit-Oriented Development Area Grading Permits Exceptions Procedures
The County Council has proposed CB-79-2016, a bill that will permit, subject to certain specific requirements, the issuance of a grading permit to commence certain rough grading activities on the site prior to approval of a required detailed site plan for the property. This bill has been referred to the Planning Zoning and Economic Development Committee.
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SOMERSET COUNTY
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Wind Turbine Installation
The City of Crisfield has begun installing their wind turbine that will generate up to 750 kilowatts of power for their wastewater treatment plant. It has taken eight years of planning to make this a reality.
The City received several federal grants to help offset the cost of the project.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Eastern Shore Builders Chapter will be on Monday, October 3, 2016 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Ocean Pines Library, 11107 Cathell Road, Berlin, MD.
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WICOMICO COUNTY
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Legislative Bill 2016-12 Introduced
An Act to repeal Chapter 130 of the Wicomico County Code, titled "Development Impact Fees." A Public Hearing on the Bill will be held on Tuesday, October 18, 2016. Read Bill 2016-12 >>>
Legislative Bill 2016-11 Passed
The Ordinance to Regulate the Construction, Location and Use of Poultry Houses passed at the September 6, 2016 meeting. The Council did not add any amendments to the bill. Read Bill 2016-11 >>>
Comprehensive Plan Review
A new map has been developed showing the proposed areas for the priority preservation area. This area incorporates all of the agricultural area described in their draft Tier Map. This will be further discussed at their next council meeting on October 4, 2016.
Enterprise Zone Expanded to include the Wicomico Regional Airport
This will allow them to apply for grants to run city water from the City of Salisbury to the airport. The airport is already hooked up to the city's wastewater system. By having both a wastewater system and water system the airport will be able to build larger enterprises such as aircraft hangars. In addition, the airport is working on extending their main runway 600 feet to accommodate jet traffic.
Salisbury's Main Street Renovations start on October 3
In June, the Salisbury City Council approved a $4.6 million contract with Corrado Construction Company that includes the replacement of 100 year-old water and sewer mains, as well as new sidewalks, landscaping and streetlights.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Eastern Shore Builders Chapter will be on Monday, October 3, 2016 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Ocean Pines Library, 11107 Cathell Road, Berlin, MD.
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WORCESTER COUNTY
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Solar System Plan
Worcester County Commissioners have approved Step I Concept Plan for a utility scale solar energy system on 285 acre property located on the southerly side of Libertytown Road and a Step I Concept Plan for a utility scale solar energy system on 258 acre property located on the northerly side of Public Landing Road.
Hudson Branch Wetland Project
The Town of Berlin has launched its Hudson Branch Wetland Project which is meant to alleviate flooding and improve water quality along the Hudson Branch in Berlin. The off-line wetland that will be created will address local stormwater issues. The project is expected to be complete by the end of the fall.
Wind Farm
U.S. Wind's offshore wind farm project proposed off the coast of Ocean City is seeking government backing. Maryland's Public Service Commission is set to vote in the late winter or early spring of 2017 to approve or disapprove U.S. Wind's application. If approved, the project is expected to create 250 jobs. Government backing is essential to get the project off the ground.
Berlin Elections
The Town of Berlin will hold its council election On October 4, 2016. Running for Mayor are incumbent Mayor Gee Williams and Councilwoman Lisa Hall. Running for District 2 are Jack Orris, an office manager at a construction company and Zackery Tyndal, a former firefighter. Running unopposed for District 3 is incumbent Councilman Elroy Brittingham.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Eastern Shore Builders Chapter will be on Monday, October 3, 2016 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Ocean Pines Library, 11107 Cathell Road, Berlin, MD.
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OTHER INDUSTRY NEWS
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Designation of Critical Habitat for the Chesapeake Bay Atlantic Sturgeon
National Marine Fisheries Service i
s proposing Designation of Critical Habitat for the Chesapeake Bay Distinct Population Segment of Atlantic Sturgeon (
Federal Register 6/28/2016
). Under the proposed rule, certain Charles and Prince George's shoreline activities such as in-water construction, dredging, bridge, culvert, and road project, utility line, would require an Endangered Species Act section 7 consultation. The comment period has passed.
Progress on Maryland's Watershed Implementation Plans
Five regional workshops are being held to communicate progress made on the 2-year milestone commitments to restore the Chesapeake Bay, summarize upcoming midpoint assessment elements and timeline through the completion of the next phase (Phase III WIP), and begin collaborating and identifying funding opportunities for the alignment of local and State priorities for Phase III. For more information, Three October workshops remain. Register for workshops >>>
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Acronym Glossary
Acronyms are often used as time saving, shorthand ways to communicate lengthy titles or basic concepts. This glossary provides a quick reference to the terms, acronyms and abbreviations commonly used in this industry.
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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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