[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6655858,"mediaKeyId","5361815-aefa208269bba634a5ea198ec51e6c02","parentId",5361815,"title","Annapolis committee postpones transfer of Spa Road site as members seek more detail on cleanup, map and costs","audioSeconds",4087,"startMs",263000,"endMs",4350000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5361815-aefa208269bba634a5ea198ec51e6c02&start=263&end=4350","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5361815-aefa208269bba634a5ea198ec51e6c02/thumbnail_263000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6655858/Annapolis/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/Annapolis-committee-postpones-transfer-of-Spa-Road-site-as-members-seek-more-detail-on-cleanup-map-and-costs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655858-72ac6587041ab3e2617f560391e4b8bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114880&Signature=MDLPllGtYwLZDdDGpGdsfM~5tbQV4PZ~MNmzbFSivqJNQViv-ljAW2A~McwwYHIIGsHDItKRQTy-s4s01b77QZ3JXQ22MR4h8BZsdN2brR-TPfS-YHmTJ3c-xdO7zp2bazln0pJQ~J3ps4QQCXWBpgGoTHsNOZAZiZJn497bsU6VuQ7eA4pBkDw5rvO1~PshZPuNl9Hkvzi~86eOwF3XJ1JjoH~9SV-ejdGMFsE-5x9htjA-TiXu1ucaOhIdzmpvrD~kzGxhcEtahhSJMnSpqBNbFbhb9CEJuPiolHhgcsLdUmU~6MuABlwLzM4XxcGwi~WS4hOt-ZH~WQVzy3w8kQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Annapolis, MD","date","2025-07-11T09:40:17Z","article","Annapolis’ Environmental Matters Committee on July 10 voted to postpone consideration of an ordinance that would temporarily transfer parts of the city-owned Spa Road property to the Anne Arundel County Resilience Authority to allow the authority to pursue an EPA Brownfields cleanup grant.

Committee members said they needed more information — including a current subdivision map, findings from the Phase 2 environmental site assessment and a clearer estimate of remediation costs — before approving the administrative transfer. The committee’s motion to postpone carried without a recorded roll-call vote.

The ordinance (O-20-25) would move two parcels of the Spa Road property to the county resilience authority for up to seven years, with a reverter clause that would return the land to the city if redevelopment did not proceed. City staff described the step as a mechanism to make the site eligible for federal Brownfields funding rather than an agreement that final development plans are set.

“This is simply one step, one mechanism. It is its purpose is purely to make us eligible for a grant. It has no other implications beyond that,” said Bert Vogel, director of Public Works, during the committee discussion.

City staff said the Brownfields grant would only pay for eligible cleanup activities tied to redevelopment; city consultants and planners are coordinating cost estimates now. “The grant is specifically for the cleanup of the site. It’s a $4,000,000 opportunity,” Allison DiMaggio of the city’s engineering division said in the meeting.

Staff told the committee the Phase 2 environmental site assessment was completed in January and has been submitted to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) under the Voluntary Cleanup Program; MDE has issued written comments and the city’s environmental consultant is responding. Staff offered to present a Phase 2 summary and have the environmental team brief the committee at a future meeting.

Committee members repeatedly requested a current subdivision map showing which parcels would be transferred, and clearer detail about how Weems/Wayland Field (the parcel identified for retention by the city) and other non-developable portions would be carved out of the application. Staff agreed to upload and circulate the current map and to provide a Phase 2 summary for the next committee meeting.

Council members also probed the seven-year reverter term in the draft deed language and asked for legal analysis of any city obligations if a successful cleanup and redevelopment do not occur within the term. Staff said the seven years aligns with the lifecycle expectations for the grant and redevelopment timeline; they emphasized the transfer does not relieve the city of authority over future uses if the property reverts.

City staff explained why the transfer is proposed: federal Brownfields funds generally cannot be awarded to parties identified as the responsible party for contamination. “The City of Annapolis is the responsible party for the contamination. The federal rules do not allow the responsible party to get grant funding,” Vogel said, explaining the rationale for temporarily conveying title to the resilience authority.

The committee also discussed sequencing with the HUD Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI) and other redevelopment planning; staff said the Brownfields cleanup actions would be designed to support safe redevelopment and that grant applications typically tie cleanup measures to anticipated construction activities. Staff said the Brownfields funding opportunity has an application deadline in November 2025 and that award notifications are expected in mid‑2026.

Outcome and next steps: the committee postponed action on O-20-25 to a later meeting and asked staff to provide (1) the current subdivision map showing parcels proposed for transfer and parcels to be retained by the city, (2) the Phase 2 environmental site assessment summary and MDE comment/response status, (3) preliminary remediation cost estimates used for the grant application, and (4) a briefing by the environmental consultant and MDE on remediation standards and reuse constraints. The committee also requested that the law department review the reverter language and the statutory requirements for sale/transfer of city property and prepare suggested amendments or clarifications for subsequent committee consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Environmental Matters Committee Meeting July 10 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Annapolis’ Environmental Matters Committee on July 10 voted to postpone consideration of an ordinance that would temporarily transfer parts of the city-owned Spa Road property to the Anne Arundel County Resilience Authority to pursue an EPA Brownfields cleanup grant.","taxTitle","Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland","taxId",59348,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6655854,"Heritage Commission urges archaeological monitoring at Spa Road site, cites Civil War-era significance",502,3208000,3710000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5361815-aefa208269bba634a5ea198ec51e6c02&start=3208&end=3710","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5361815-aefa208269bba634a5ea198ec51e6c02/thumbnail_3208000.jpg","/articles/6655854/Annapolis/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/Heritage-Commission-urges-archaeological-monitoring-at-Spa-Road-site-cites-Civil-War-era-significance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655854-bbd3a807ad71799b3648d448dbbd4ed2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114880&Signature=nXQYk~3XeEpHMp-f1pQefmyiz4ceeXyztJcapNOmh2uG7V2ld8aHxZ4H16aHA1mf9EkjBdkfmPhPWBnmGi4AvVuwiblO~tImbawfKK8M53cRQwLKeCkpD~SC83Ncg8-EJMAAWmk6g5d6Djbnh4qYg-iS~IWgxVZe7ZIsPx1mQ4Mq662~WI7hCXi1VVS~ijZy-qxNFDa3gn2AJtVWiqNeEXPoW9f6yFNqFCAxCW8zweIKQAUyYjqEv6-pojwvuPNIBfVx0QVxbT47V86iHsjoZRKqhY3zkTLq1w3QXw1kUW0npyYCZrYZjIAvjPtKy0xAwzioJ69gu-xsH0hKhOmq~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Annapolis Heritage Commission urged the city July 10 to include archaeological monitoring and limited test investigations in planning and remediation work at the Spa Road public works site, saying portions of the property were occupied during the Civil War and may contain artifacts and features worth documenting and preserving.

Robert Wharton, vice chair of the Heritage Commission, told the Environmental Matters Committee he has conducted archival research and identified the Spa Road area as part of Colonel John Walton’s 19th‑century farm and as a location used by Union parole camps and army hospitals during the Civil War. Wharton asked the city to require at‑least cursory surface investigation and monitoring during construction or remediation so any artifacts can be recovered and preserved.

“Back in 2010 … we had requested the city and the county to give a chance for some archaeological investigations,” Wharton said. He told the committee that test units and surface monitoring — not necessarily full excavations — could identify “hot spots” meriting additional work and that monitoring rules could be scaled to avoid undue interference with remediation or construction.

Committee members responded favorably to the idea, and some suggested staff return with a timeline and an assessment of how monitoring could be incorporated into remediation and redevelopment work. One committee member said a council resolution directing limited monitoring and preservation measures should be prepared after staff reports on feasibility and potential construction impacts.

Jackie Guile, deputy city manager for resilience and sustainability, said she would ask staff (including the resilience authority point of contact) whether any archaeological assessment already exists for the site, and would add the Heritage Commission’s request to the staff follow‑up items. Committee members asked the law office to consider including the Heritage Commission’s findings as a whereas clause or related language if the ordinance language returns for further action.

No formal vote or binding directive was taken at the committee meeting, but members asked staff to include the Heritage Commission’s request in follow‑up materials and to brief the full committee or a work session once feasibility and potential impacts are documented.","The Annapolis Heritage Commission asked the city July 10 to require archaeological monitoring and limited testing at the Spa Road public works site, citing Civil War‑era use of the land and the presence of historic features and artifacts.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6655849,"Annapolis readies electric leaf‑blower rebate pilot, asks planning staff to clarify enforcement approach",0,6408000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5361815-aefa208269bba634a5ea198ec51e6c02&start=6408&end=6408","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5361815-aefa208269bba634a5ea198ec51e6c02/thumbnail_6408000.jpg","/articles/6655849/Annapolis/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/Annapolis-readies-electric-leafblower-rebate-pilot-asks-planning-staff-to-clarify-enforcement-approach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655849-2d4e915e2ffe517f82e3e0d8dd8f8192/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114880&Signature=Fyb0ceG2Zbw4Z2an7MB615Y3v0FMLSF-cgVrkBZTCLFbMONJ-sBfDS1uThcaoG3BAh8a8BBAdA1gZPgNW0obTPPAvphineil5Bv0NFMLX-QRxVglEZFlH8aJ7KMo53N53x4NL4rOv8nW~FT3~D~61~hVodUgPGcZm5~KsNWb-y2eCsNmBBO6ECq9IXNkeuMt81R12ArT019oN7mEv9sqAKY~3WHYOYDvctFv2nJhLnuFPVeInpEoTFPz-FCbTiHzfqOf900aeKGpqOy4~yBa45dbtRzoHXI2pNrlmC7XKG-0cvHPqTRAkI8Zl89LGzj8uaVZLfuUjd-4rOU~ldzxkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Annapolis staff told the Environmental Matters Committee on July 10 they are close to launching a rebate program to help residents and landscapers transition away from gas‑powered leaf blowers, and that the city recently hired a second environmental program position to help with outreach and compliance.

Jackie Guile, deputy city manager for resilience and sustainability, said the city is finalizing a contract with the Chesapeake Bay Trust to administer the first‑year rebate pilot and that about $105,000 is available to subsidize electric equipment rebates for residents and commercial landscapers.

“We are very, very close to finishing our contract with the Chesapeake Bay Trust so that we can launch that program as soon as possible,” Guile said. Staff described negotiating the administrator’s fee down to roughly 10 percent and said the resilience authority had participated in early discussions about whether it would administer or assist with the program.

Separately, staff announced they had filled a second environmental program position. The new hire, Ashley Diaz (currently sustainability manager in Bowie), is expected to start in the city on Aug. 21 and will focus on communications, outreach and grants, among other responsibilities.

Committee members pressed staff for details about enforcement of the city’s ban on gas‑powered leaf blowers. Planning and zoning staff have been issuing warnings and, in at least one instance, a citation was issued after a witnessed violation; committee members said they wanted a clear, consistent enforcement protocol and asked city staff to clarify evidentiary standards (in‑person observation versus photo evidence) and whether the city could conduct proactive enforcement times to document repeat violations.

Guile said planning staff prefers in‑person observations for citations because photographic evidence often does not produce a cooperating witness at municipal court. The city is also finalizing a public education campaign timed to the rebate launch.

Committee members asked staff to return with an enforcement plan that explains how notices, warnings and fines will be applied and what documentation the city will accept. Staff also said they would coordinate public information about available rebates and provide outreach to affected contractors.

The committee also heard that the city engaged an intern through the Annapolis City intern program to support research on vehicle electrification for the municipal fleet.","City staff told the Environmental Matters Committee that a $105,000 first‑year rebate program for electric landscaping equipment is being finalized with the Chesapeake Bay Trust and that the city has hired a second environmental program staffer to help with outreach and program administration. Committee members asked for clarity on enforcement of","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Annapolis committee postpones transfer of Spa Road site as members seek more detail on cleanup, map and costs

Heritage Commission urges archaeological monitoring at Spa Road site, cites Civil War-era significance

Annapolis readies electric leaf‑blower rebate pilot, asks planning staff to clarify enforcement approach