STATE OF MARYLAND
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Draft Nutrient Trading-Sediment Regulations
State Highway Administration Review
The State Highway Administration published new regulations in the spring. MBIA consulted with them on several issues we saw with the regulations. SHA was receptive to our suggestions, and a new draft is forthcoming.
Septic System Summer Study
During the 2017 legislative session, the House Environment and Transportation Committee heard testimony on HB 281 (Environment - On-Site Sewage Disposal Systems - Best Available Technology for Nitrogen Removal - Prohibition) and the Senate heard SB 266 (Environment - On-Site Sewage Disposal Systems - Best Available Technology for Nitrogen Removal). Both bills, as introduced, would have reestablished the requirement that the best available technology for on-site sewage disposal (septic) systems be required outside of the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area (Critical Area). The Senate passed an amended version but it did not come out of the E&T Committee.
On July 26, a workgroup from the E&T Committee, comprised of members from the Environment Subcommittee and chaired by Delegate Lafferty, held a work session to hear testimony regarding BAT systems in and outside of the Critical Area. MBIA presented testimony against mandating BATs outside of the Critical Area. The workgroup will continue to review this issue.
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BALTIMORE CITY
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Complete Streets
Freshman City Councilman Ryan Dorsey introduced legislation, Council Bill 17-0102, creating a "complete streets" ordinance for Baltimore City. Complete Streets is the concept that road design should be conducted with all road users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motor vehicles and public transportation in mind. Given the built-out, urban nature of Baltimore City, this legislation should help create more walkable, livable urban spaces. The MBIA supports the concept of this legislation and will monitor its progress.
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CALVERT COUNTY
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Slagle Appointed Economic Development Director
The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners has appointed Ms. Kelly Robertson-Slagle as the county's Director of Economic Development. Ms. Slagle, who was most recently the business retention specialist in the Calvert County Department of Economic Development, has worked for Calvert County Government for approximately 10 years of combined service. Slagle replaces long-time Director Linda Vassallo who was appointed Director of Communications and Media Relations as part of the county's recent reorganization.
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CECIL COUNTY
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Wastewater Fee Reduction
Cecil County Executive introduced and passed legislation to reduce wastewater fees from $12,000 to $6,000 per unit for the next two years. This legislation was prompted by MBIA meetings with County Executive McCarthy. Click here to read MBIA's letter of support. Additionally, in a move supported by MBIA, the Town of Elkton reduced their wastewater connection fee to $0 per unit for the next two years.
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CHARLES COUNTY
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Green Notice on the County's Standards for Final Plats of Consolidation & Lot Line (Boundary Line) Adjustment Plat Preparation and Submittal
The Charles County Department of Planning and Growth Management issues a "Green Notice," with respect to the county's standards for All Plats of Consolidation, and Boundary Line (Lot Line) Adjustment plat projects that consolidate, and adjust property lot lines. In your submittal, you must provide the following on plats:
1)
Purpose Note and drafting standards
2)
Lot Consolidation
3)
Lot Line Adjustment
4)
Owner Signature
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HOWARD COUNTY
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Green Neighborhoods
Howard County Executive Kittleman introduced CR112 to make the Green Neighborhoods program more flexible so that developers can take advantage of the green allocations that exist. After 10 years in existence and use by only two projects, the MBIA pushed the County to revisit this program to make it more user friendly. The result is CR112, which is a first step in overhauling the Green Neighborhoods program. The County Council heard this resolution on July 17th and will consider it after their summer recess. Click here to read MBIA testimony in support.
APFO
Howard County Executive Kittleman introduced CB61, legislation regarding the County's Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance. This legislation arises out of recommendations from the APFO task force which met for nearly one year after Mr Kittleman was elected. The task force included MBIA members and included reasonable recommendations, most of which MBIA supports. The County Council heard this resolution on July 17th but due to overwhelming amounts of testimony, the hearing will continue in September to allow all stakeholders an opportunity to testify. MBIA will testify at that time, but you may click here to read MBIA written testimony in support.
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY
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Montgomery County Council Recess
The Montgomery County Council is in recess from Monday, July 31st to Friday, September 8th.
Councilmember Elrich Introduces Legislation to Increase County Minimum Wage
On July 25th, Councilmember Marc Elrich introduced a modified version of his previous proposal to increase the County's minimum wage to $15. The
new proposal, Bill 28-17, would gradually raise the County's minimum wage from the current rate of $11.50 per hour to $12.50 in July 2018 and add $1.25 each year until the rate reaches $15 per hour on July 1, 2020. Small businesses with employees fewer than 26, non-profits and adult day care providers will have until July 1, 2022 to increases wages to $15. The proposal also allows the County Executive to cancel scheduled wage increases in the event of an economic downturn. The Council passed legislation to increase the minimum wage by a 5-4 vote in January 2017, however County Executive Leggett threatened to veto the bill as he was concerned that the 2020 deadline was too soon. An economic impact study on the implications of increasing the minimum wage will be released in
early August.
Recordation Tax Update
The next work session on Bill 10-17, a proposal to modify the County's Recordation Tax, will be held after the Council's recess in September. At the July 13th worksession, the Department of Finance spoke on the impact this legislation would have on the volatility of recordation tax revenue. During that work session Finance also offered various rate alternates that would allow make the proposal more revenue neutral. The
work session packet provides an overview of the Department's analysis. Both the
Montgomery County Chapter and
Montgomery County Custom Builders Committee have submitted comments in opposition to the bill. Please review
here and
here.
DEP to Offer National Green Infrastructure Certification Training Program
Montgomery County's Department of Environmental Protection is offering a free training and certification program for those who install, inspect, and maintain green infrastructure stormwater systems. DEP values this certification and will be restructuring contracts to show the value the Department places on this. There are seven mandatory trainings beginning in September.
Learn more and register >>>
Draft Design Guidelines for the Bethesda Downtown Sector Plan
On July 27th, the Montgomery County Planning Board approved design guidelines for the adopted Bethesda Downtown Sector Plan. The working draft was updated after the July 13th work session.
Revisions to the working draft address projects that include 25 percent or more MPDUs, add a frontage zone for neighborhood local streets, alternative treatments for building towers and more. The
Parks and Open Space Working Draft was also approved at this work session.
Rules of Procedure for Design Review Advisory Panel
On July 27th, the Montgomery County Planning Board discussed
rules of procedure and process for the establishment of the Design Review Advisory Panel for the Bethesda Overlay Zone. The Planning Board also approved the staff recommendation to begin requesting nominations for the Advisory Panel. The Advisory Panel will have five members representing a minimum of one registered architect representing academia, one registered architect from Montgomery County, one member of the development community, and one Bethesda Community member with professional interest in urban design or architecture. Members will serve three year staggered terms.
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PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY
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M-NCPPC Plan Review
Until further notice, M-NCPPC Plan Review will be conducted at the Information Counter on the lower level of the County Administration Building.
Prince George's County Administration Building (CAB)
14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Those needing M-NCPPC plan review have 2 options:
1) Drop off plans while at DPIE. Once M-NCPPC review is completed, you will be notified for further processing;
or
2) Take plans to CAB for review after being processed at DPIE.
For more information, please call M-NCPPC at 301-952-3195 or 3208.
Application Requirement Change for New Commercial Building Construction Projects
Effective Monday, July 10, 2017, plans for all new commercial building construction projects are required to be submitted through the County's electronic plan review system (ePlan). Visit Online Permit Services on DPIE's website to: access the online portal, submit building permit application(s) directly into the County's Permitting System, and select the ePlan option on the application so plans can be electronically submitted for review. Training for using the ePlan system is provided on the third Thursday of every month and may be scheduled through Robin McLean at
[email protected]
. ePlan user guides are available at
www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/1578/Online-Permit-Services
. If you have any questions, please contact the Permitting and Licensing Division at
301-636-2050.
Water & Sewer Plan and Record Plat Process Changes
Effective July 3, 2017, administration of Prince George's County's water and sewer plan, water/sewer category changes and water/sewer approval of record plats, previously processed by the Department of the Environment (DoE), will now be processed by DPIE. Residents and builders seeking connection to public water and sewer services, or a waiver for septic systems or private wells must have authorization from DPIE. To advance a project, developers must have the proper water and sewer service category; any changes to a category must also be authorized by DPIE.
All submittals of water/sewer category changes and record plats must be delivered to DPIE's Permit Center at 9400 Peppercorn Place, Suite 100, Largo, Maryland. The submittals will then be delivered to DPIE's Site/Road Plan Review Division for processing by the same staff currently managing these requests. Shirley Branch and Anthony Newsome have been delegated to DPIE's Site/Road Plan Review Division. If you have any further questions regarding the delegation of water and sewer services to DPIE, please contact Mary Giles, Associate Director, Site/Road Plan Review Division at 301-636-2060 or
[email protected]
.
Update on Purple Line
A federal appeals court ruling will allow Maryland to begin building the Purple Line while a lawsuit opposing it continues, clearing the way for the state to pursue federal funding for a light-rail project.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit reinstated the Purple Line's environmental approval, which a lower-court judge had revoked last year, while the legal case continues.
CB-77 - Development of new residential development near high-voltage equipment
This bill will prohibit the construction of new residential and school uses within 1,000 feet of land
used for installation and operation of high-voltage equipment at substations uses that were existing on
a certain date for purposes of electrical generation, transmission, and distribution in connection with
providing public utility service in the County by a regulated public utility.
CB-78 - Multifamily Recycling
This bill requires the new construction of multifamily rental facilities with 10 or more dwelling units to provide trash recycling chutes. This bill was referred to the Planning Zoning and Economic Development committee.
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ST. MARY'S COUNTY
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John Deatrick Named Public Works and Transportation Director
The St. Mary's Board of County Commissioners has selected John Deatrick as Director of Public Works and Transportation. Mr. Deatrick comes to St. Mary's County from the City of Cincinnati where he served as Project Executive for the Cincinnati Streetcar implementation between 2013 and 2016. From 2008 until 2013, he was Cincinnati's Project Executive for the Central Riverfront Redevelopment Project. John holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland, is a licensed Professional Engineer in multiple states, a Certified Planner and Certified Sustainability Professional.
MetCom Task Force Public Meeting
A MetCom Task Force will be holding public meetings on the following dates:
August 2, August 16, September 6, September 20, October 4 and October 18, 2017 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., in the Main Meeting Room, St. Mary's County Metropolitan Commission office located at 23121 Camden Way, California, Maryland, 20619. The purpose of the Task Force meeting is to discuss proposed amendments to the St. Mary's County Code Chapter 113. The Task Force will present recommendations to the Commissioners of St. Mary's County, the Board of the St. Mary's County Metropolitan Commission, individually and jointly, as well as to the St. Mary's County Legislative Delegation for consideration in preparation for the 2018 Legislative Session.
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WICOMICO COUNTY
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Does Wicomico Still Need Tax Revenue Cap?
A new study being sponsored by the Greater Salisbury Committee will take a look at what impact it had and how it may affect the future of the county. A study being conducted by Memo Diriker, director of the Business Economic and Community Outreach Network, or BEACON at Salisbury University, and a group of graduate students is expected to be released this fall. The revenue cap came about following a tax revolt led by a group called VOICE, or Voters Opposed to Increased County-City Expenditures, after the County Council in 1999 approved a 46 cent property tax hike and a one percent increase in the property transfer tax.
Comprehensive Plan
Wicomico County Council has not heard back from the Maryland Department of Planning on their Comprehensive Plan. In 90 days they will formally approve the new Comprehensive Plan with their draft tier map included. If they don't hear from MDP within this time they will not have to hold a public hearing on the plan.
The Eastern Shore Builders will hold a Chapter Meeting on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Tall Tales Brewing Co. Restaurant, 6929 Heron Grove Court, Parsonsburg, MD. RSVP to Joan Strang or call 410-845-0132.
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WORCESTER COUNTY
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Local Legislation
Worcester County Commissioners have passed Bill 17-7 Natural Resources - Erosion and Sediment Control. Bill brings county code in compliance with state. Definition of "Grading Unit" now reflects the maximum contiguous area allowed to be graded at a given time; and the definition of "Inspection Agency" now reflects the Worcester County Department of Environmental Programs. Changes the period for approved erosion and sediment control plans from two years to three years from the date of approval unless approved by the Worcester Soil Conservation District. Removes requirement for compliance inspections for active sites with erosion and sediment control plans to remove the reference to such inspections occurring on the average of once every two weeks only, and requires that at least fifty percent of the said lands included in an RPC actually be used for a commercial purpose.
Worcester County Commissioners have introduced Bill 17-8, A Text Amendment Application - Residential Planned Communities
A Public Hearing will be held on August 15, 2017. The new language reduces the proposed twenty percent maximum allotment of Commercial zoned or Commercial Marine zoned land allowed in the RPC to fifteen percent, limits its application to major RPC's only, and requires that at least fifty percent of the said lands included in an RPC actually be used for a commercial purpose.
Snow Hill Summerfield Project
More than a decade ago, Mark Odachowski proposed developing a roughly 1,000 acre plot into a consortium of housing and retail shops called Summerfield, which stalled because of the 2008 economic downturn. Recently his brother, Matt Odachowski, purchased 400 acres of that property and is once again working to launch a development project. On June 21, 2017 Mayor Charlie Dorman headed a group that met with the Maryland Department of the Environment in Baltimore to assure sufficient water and sewer capacity existed to support future growth in Snow Hill. Matt Odakowski, property owner and Michael Glass, a developer based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania accompanied the group. Matt Odakowski must submit plans to the state before a determination concerning the EDU requirements can be made. Right now the town has 300 plus, but the project is looking for 800 EDU's.
Congressman Andy Harris Offshore Wind Amendment
The House Appropriations Committee adopted an amendment proposed by Congressman Harris for the Interior Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2018. Harris's proposition would prohibit the use of federal funding for reviewing site assessments or construction and operations plans for wind turbines located less than 24 nautical miles from Maryland shorelines. Ocean City had complained about the views of the turbines from the beach and this was Harris's response to them. However, manufacturing businesses and environmentalists were not happy with the amendment. The Maryland Public Service Commission estimates the projects will generate more than $1.8 billion of in-state spending as well as 9,700 new direct and indirect jobs.
Carpentry Training Class
Wor-Wic Community College is offering a construction training program funded by a Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation EARN Maryland grant in partnership with industry representatives, Quality Staffing Services and the Lower Shore Workforce Alliance. For more information about course content and schedule, contact Wor-Wic at 410-334-2815 or
visit their website.
View the Carpentry Training Flyer >>>
The Eastern Shore Builders will hold a Chapter Meeting on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Tall Tales Brewing Co. Restaurant, 6929 Heron Grove Court, Parsonsburg, MD. RSVP to Joan Strang or call 410-845-0132.
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OTHER INDUSTRY NEWS
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The Environmental Protection Agency on July 20th announced that it had officially withdrawn a rule that would have required "post-construction" controls for stormwater discharges. The rule which sat on a long term action list would have required all builders to retain a certain volume of stormwater onsite, regardless of underlying soils or rainfall patterns.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently consulted with NAHB to develop a newly released
fact sheet
to aid residential builders in meeting the Confined Spaces
Standard
issued in 2015 to protect workers from hazards related to confined spaces in construction work. The fact sheet clarifies some of the standard's provisions and its application to residential construction work. In addition, there is a detailed
Frequently Asked Questions
document, and an NAHB
Confined Spaces in Construction Toolkit
offering further information for home builders.
https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3914.pdf https://www.osha.gov/confinedspaces/index.html https://www.osha.gov/confinedspaces/faq.html http://www.nahb.org/en/research/safety/confined-spaces-in-construction-toolkit.aspx
15,000 Additional H-2B Guest Worker Visas
An additional 15,000 H-2B temporary worker visas will be issued during this fiscal year, which ends on Sept. 30, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
The H-2B program
allows employers to hire temporary foreign workers for seasonal, non-agricultural positions. In past years, roughly half of the visas have gone to landscaping businesses. Once the rule is published in the Federal Register, employers can apply. Employer applicants must already hold a temporary labor certification (TLC) from the Department of Labor and will be required to attest that their business will likely suffer "irreparable harm" if they do not have access to additional workers.
2012 National Green Building Standard Deadlines
Projects seeking certification under the 2012 National Green Building Standard must be
registered by June 30, 2018
and completed by December 31, 2021. For more information on certification and NGBS, go to
Home Innovation Research Labs
.
New Study Shows Future Sea Level Rise in Maryland & Virginia
The Union of Concerned Scientist newly released study, "
When Rising Seas Hit Home: Hard Choices Ahead for Hundreds of U.S. Coastal Communities," indicates that that Maryland with 3, 100 miles of tidal shore and an Eastern Shore with sinking land, will be particularly hard hit by rising sea levels due to global warming. What is new in the report is an estimate of how soon this may happen. According to the report's estimate, the town of Crisfield, MD, will face chronic flooding of more than half of its land area within roughly 20 years. The study defines chronic inundation as when high tides flood 10 percent of more of a community's usable, non-wetland area at least 26 times per year.
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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
Manager, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs
Vice President,
Government Affairs
Erin Bradley
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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JOIN MBIA TODAY
Together We Can Do More
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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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