Annapolis committee backs transfer to Resilience Authority to pursue $4M Brownfields grant, clarifies reverter and archaeology rules

Annapolis Environmental Planners Committee recommended favorably on July 25 that the city transfer specified Spa Road parcels to the Resilience Authority so the authority can pursue an EPA Brownfields grant of up to $4,000,000 to remediate contamination and support future redevelopment.

The committee approved a set of amendments that the group said would protect the city’s long‑term interests: a reverter clause to return remediated property to the city upon EPA acceptance of the remediation; a requirement that the Resilience Authority coordinate with the Annapolis Heritage Commission and secure any council‑required on‑site archaeological consulting (with costs and liability for services beyond grant requirements to be covered by the city); and explicit language confirming that Williams Way/Weems Whalen Field will remain a city parcel and not be transferred as part of this action.

Why it matters: The action is meant to give the Resilience Authority legal standing to receive and hold federal Brownfields funds and to carry out remediation activities that city staff say will reduce redevelopment costs (transport and disposal of contaminated soils, capping, vapor barriers and other typical Brownfields remedies). Committee members said federal changes in April accelerated the timeline and created a tight deadline for a November grant application, prompting the expedited committee work.

What the committee approved and the immediate effect - The committee voted to recommend favorably the ordinance (listed as O‑2025 in committee materials) as amended, and approved committee amendments consolidating language from two proposed sets of edits discussed in detail during the meeting. The recommendation will go to the full City Council for action. The committee record shows voice…