STATE OF MARYLANDMD
Session 2017
The Legislative Session began on January 11th and will run for 90 days. The MBIA Legislative Committee meets every week to review bills and prioritize our issues. To join the legislative committee please contact  Lori Graf. We will have more information on session in the next few months. 
Review the 2017 Session Progress Report for a list of issues that MBIA is currently following.
   ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTYAA
Cluster Development Legislation Introduced
Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh has proposed legislation to amend "cluster developments" into a new category called "Preservation Oriented Development." This new zoning type is a conditional use in most zoning classifications. You can view the legislation here . The MBIA has not taken a position on this legislation which had a public hearing January 17th and is now eligible for a vote.
   CALVERT COUNTYcalv
Comprehensive Plan Update and Zoning Ordinance Rewrite
The Calvert County Community Planning and Building Department is working on the County's Comprehensive Plan and the rewrite of its zoning ordinance. The Planning and Building Department will be evaluating areas from transportation, economic development and public safety to recreation, natural resources and housing.  The Planning Department is interested in hearing from all interested parties about five key issues identified during 2016. Five (5) workshops have been scheduled and will be held at the College of Southern Maryland, Prince Frederick Campus at 115 J.W. Williams Road, Prince Frederick from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Doors will open 30 minutes before each meeting for an open house. Maps, graphs, and other information will be on display. Staff will be available to answer questions during the open houses and after each workshop. Before each workshop, an issue paper will be posted on line for review. The issue papers are short documents that summarize major ideas and provide possible strategies for dealing with each issue. Results from the workshops will be used to develop the Comprehensive Plan.
  • Monday, Feb. 6, Building B, Providing an Efficient and Multi-modal Transportation System. View the issue paper. Share your ideas.
  • Wednesday, Feb. 22, Building A, Supporting Options in Community Character
  • Thursday, March 9, Building A, Strengthening Economic Vitality and Tourism
  • Monday, March 27, Building B, Fostering Communities with Multi-Generational Opportunities
  • Thursday, April 6, Building A, Preserving Rural Character and Directing Growth to Existing Population Centers
  • A snow date of Monday, February 27 has been reserved in case the first two workshops need to be postponed due to inclement weather. The workshop will be held in Building A.
 CHARLES COUNTYchar
The Charles County Delegation tables a proposed Development Tax
The Board of County Commissioners in Charles County sent a legislative proposal to their local delegation in Annapolis that would give them the authority to levy an excise tax on new residential development similar to the authority granted to Calvert, Dorchester and Talbot counties.  MBIA lobbied against the proposal and the local Charles County Delegation tabled the bill.  
   MONTGOMERY COUNTYmontcoun
Expedited Bill 51-16 receives qualified support at Public Hearing
Bill 51-16, introduced by Council President Berliner with the support of the full Council, is intended to restore legislative authority - eliminated in error in the recently adopted Development Impact Tax Bill 37-16 - to require LATR payments to more equitably assess the impact on an individual development and ensure more predictable mitigation fees (as is done for the development of White Oak). MBIA is not opposing this legislation.

ZTA 16-17 - Encroachments - Townhouses Opposed by Majority of Speakers at Public Hearing
ZTA 16-17 (sponsored by Councilmember Marc Elrich) which, if enacted, would make townhome communities featuring rooftop decks non-compliant and would significantly limit future townhome communities from providing rooftop outdoor livability features was strongly opposed by all but one speaker at the January 17 public hearing. MBIA testified in opposition along with individual MBIA members and homeowners.
 
New Impact Tax Rates Effective March 1, 2017
The new development impact tax rates approved by the County Council on November 15, 2016 are effective March 1; the new rates are in most cases significantly higher for both transportation and schools and will be applied to all fee payments on and after March 1.  

DPS Expands Residential Fast Track Service
Effective January 17, 2017 DPS has implemented new Residential fast Track Procedures under which projects that qualify for Fast Track will undergo a Pre-Screening to ensure plans are adequate for review and to identify any inadequacies in a swifter manner.  Find out more >>>

Expansion of electronic Permit Applications at DPS
Effective January 9, 2017 DPS added Fire Protection, fence, Residential Solar and New Commercial Building Construction to Fire Alarm, Electrical and Utility permits which require electronic submission. DPS provides eServices Training on Mondays at 9 am at the DPS Offices at 255 Rockville Pike - there is no registration requirement. Find out more >>>

Subdivision Regulations Rewrite Implementation
The newly approved rewrite of Chapter 50 of the Montgomery County Code that governs the subdivision of land in the county will go into effect February 13, 2017.  The Subdivision Regulations include the application requirements for subdividing property, as well as requirements for adequate public facilities and improvements to lots based on the impact of subdivision. For comments, questions or more information, contact Cathy Conlon, Supervisor of Development Applications and Regulatory Coordination.

Annual Montgomery Chapter Liaison Breakfast
The annual Liaison Breakfast of the MBIA Montgomery Chapter will be held Wednesday April 19 commencing 7.30 am at the Radisson Rockville (3 Research Court).  County Executive Leggett is the keynote speaker.  Hold the date!
  PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTYprinceg
Andree Green named new Planning Department Director
The Prince George's County Planning Board of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) has named M. Andree Green as Director of the M-NCPPC's Prince George's County Planning Department.  As Director, Ms. Green will oversee a professional staff charged with advising and working with the Planning Board, elected officials, and the community to shape land use planning, zoning, and economic development plans for the County.  Over the past six year Ms. Green served as County Attorney and she succeeds Dr. Fern Piret, who retired as Director Fall 2016.  
  ST MARYS COUNTY  stmarys
George Erichsen named Executive Director of MetCom
The St. Mary's County Metropolitan Commission has selected Mr. George Erichsen as its new Executive Director effective February 20, 2017.  Mr. Erichsen currently serves as the Director of Public Works and Transportation for St. Mary's County.
  WICOMICO COUNTYwicomico
Comprehensive Plan
The Wicomico County Council will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at 10:00 am on their Comprehensive Plan.  The Public Hearing has been moved to February as the Council is waiting for the response from the Maryland Department of Planning on their draft Tier Map.  The plan includes a revised draft map of the State's Tier Map.  This map would give the county the ability to move property's from Tier Four to Tier Three and from Tier Two to Tier Three.  Once the Comprehensive Plan is adopted they will start work on the County Zoning Map.

Main Street Revitalization
Governor Larry Hogan's capital budget for fiscal 2018 includes $1 million for the city of Salisbury's Main Street revitalization project.  Mayor Jake Day said the money will pay for the next two phases of the project along the Downtown Plaza and on Division Street between Main Street and Route 50.

Chapter Meeting
The Eastern Shore Builders will hold a Chapter Meeting on Monday, February 6, 2017 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Ocean Pines Library, 11107 Cathell Road, Berlin.  Please RSVP to Joan Strang at  jstrang@marylandbuilders.org or call 410-845-0132.
  WORCESTER COUNTYworchester
Design Guidelines and Standards
The Worcester County Commissioners have approved revisions to both the Design Guidelines and Standards for Commercial Uses and U.S. Route 50 Transportation Corridor Plan.  The changes range from alterations to setback requirements to the removal of language prohibiting franchise architecture. 
 
Tax Differential Request
The Worcester County Commissioners turned down Ocean City's request for a tax differential and voted to provide them a grant in the 2017 budget.  After the vote, Ocean City said they were weighing court options in order to get the tax differential.

Chapter Meeting
The Eastern Shore Builders will hold a Chapter Meeting on Monday, February 6, 2017 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Ocean Pines Library, 11107 Cathell Road, Berlin.  Please RSVP to Joan Strang at jstrang@marylandbuilders.org or call 410-845-0132.
  OTHER INDUSTRY NEWSother
Proposed MD Regulation Removes 20 Acre Limit on Grading
In a big win for the Association, the Maryland Department of Environment proposes amendments to the Erosion and Soil Control Regulations that would remove the 20 acres limit on grading ( 1/20/2017, MD Register ).  
The proposal would:
  • Change the definition of Grading Unit" to "Grading Unit" means the maximum contiguous area allowed to be graded at a given time (removes the 20 acres or less language);
  • Extend the time period an approved sediment control plan is valid to 3 years (now 2 years) from date of approval;
  • Eliminate the requirement that sites be inspected once every 2 weeks (inspection still a requirement); and
  • Update the handbook - "2011 Maryland Standards and Specifications for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control".
Comments will be accepted through February 21, 2017 to Jennifer Smith, Deputy Program Manager, Sediment, Stormwater, and Dam Safety Program, Maryland Department of the Environment, 1800 Washington Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21230, or email to Jennifer.Smith@maryland.gov . A public hearing is not scheduled.
Mortgage Disclosure Regulations Proposed
The Maryland Commissioner of Financial Regulation proposes amendments in the January 20, 2017 Maryland Register that will bring clarity regarding certain obligations, and certain changes will make it easier to do business in Maryland. The proposal will clarify its requirements related to the delivery and receipt of mortgage disclosures; clarify the scope or requirements to prevent inconsistent interpretations or applications of those regulations; specify the process for obtaining approval of a trade name; change record-keeping requirements to align with the statutorily mandated examination cycle; add provisions relating to electronic records; allow licensees to substitute compliance with certain federal laws and regulations for compliance with certain Maryland laws and regulations; make corrections to outdated or invalid terminology, references, and typographical errors; provide clarity to licensees regarding the Commissioner's requirements related to supervision of mortgage loan originators; establish date protection standards; clarify when a licensee is required to make certain reports to the Commissioner; and generally add requirements relating to mortgage servicing transfers.
http://www.dsd.state.md.us/MDR/4402/Assembled.htm#_Toc472408283
 
There is a corresponding federal standard to this proposed action, but the proposed action is not more restrictive or stringent. Comments may be sent through March 6, 2017 to Jedd Bellman, Assistant Commissioner for Enforcement and Compliance, Office of the Commissioner of Financial Regulation, 500 North Calvert Street, Room 402, Baltimore, Maryland, 21202, or email to jedd.bellman@maryland.gov.
FEBRUARY 2017
In This Issue
State of Maryland
Anne Arundel County
 Charles County
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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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.

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