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Rules committee advances forest conservation amendments to align with state law
Summary
The committee moved favorable recommendations on O 16-26 and several block amendments to ensure the city's forest conservation ordinance conforms with recent state changes; members also approved Amendment 11 to clarify that subdivision activity must comply with forest conservation requirements.
The Rules and City Government Committee reviewed O 16-26, a set of amendments intended to align the city's forest conservation ordinance with the recent changes to the State Forest Conservation Act. City Attorney Tony Cooper Smith and staff worked with Alderman Savage to draft language intended to preserve Annapolis's historical approach while implementing required state updates.
The city attorney explained that appeals from the planning commission currently go to the circuit court and the proposed local changes maintain that route. The committee approved a block favorable recommendation on a package of amendments (including amendments 4, 5a, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and later considered Amendment 11, which clarifies that the 'existing lot of record' exemption does not apply when an activity constitutes a subdivision, site plan or other regulated development. Members confirmed that applications submitted on or after July 1 will be subject to the updated standard while projects approved before that date remain under previous approvals.
The committee moved favorable recommendations for the legislation as amended and will forward the package to the full council for consideration.
