Airbnb Loses Ballot Battle to Skirt Regulations in Jersey City
Business Affairs / County News / Planning and Zoning / Taxes and Revenues / Winter Conference
Airbnb Loses Ballot Battle to Skirt Regulations in Jersey City

Voters in New Jersey's second-largest city this month overwhelmingly upheld new restrictions on short-term rental properties, dealing a significant blow to short-term rental companies like Airbnb and VRBO. The new regulations, initially passed by the Jersey City Council in June, were put on hold after short-term rental advocates collected enough signatures to force a referendum. The rules limit how often landlords can rent properties, forbid short-term rentals in buildings with more than four units if…

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November 12, 2019
New Technology, New Policy – The Ever-Shrinking Island of Cable Television
Business Affairs / County News / Information Technology / MACo Events / Planning and Zoning / Taxes and Revenues / Winter Conference
New Technology, New Policy – The Ever-Shrinking Island of Cable Television

At this year’s MACo Winter Conference, special guests will join a live recording of the Conduit Street Podcast to discuss the ever-shrinking island of cable television. The session, “New Technology, New Policy – The Ever-Shrinking Island of Cable Television,” will focus on the county role in the telecommunications market of the 2020s. New Technology, New Policy – The Ever-Shrinking Island of Cable Television Description: Technological change continues to advance rapidly - public policy needs to…

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November 12, 2019
Sun Surveys the 5G Small Cell Battleground in Maryland
Business Affairs / County News / Economic Development / General Assembly News / Information Technology / Planning and Zoning
Sun Surveys the 5G Small Cell Battleground in Maryland

As the advancement of 5G wireless looms on the horizon the consternation over the deployment of the small cell facilities necessary for the new technology continues. The Baltimore Sun reports on the crux of the issues between the wireless industry and local governments. Some reporting from the perspective of the wireless industry: Wireless companies say that in the short term, small cell facilities will relieve congestion on the current 4G networks. And they eventually will be…

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November 8, 2019
Baltimore City Council Approves Retail Plastic Bag Ban
Business Affairs / Environment
Baltimore City Council Approves Retail Plastic Bag Ban

A Baltimore Sun article (2019-11-04) reports that the Baltimore City Council has given preliminary approval for a ban on retailers' use of plastic bags. The article notes that attempts have been made since 2006 to ban the use of plastic bags in the city, but all have failed for a varying reasons. As previously reported by Conduit Street, this particular piece of legislation had stalled over debates regarding the fee structure of other types of…

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November 8, 2019
Frederick Secures Company for Broadband Feasibility Study
Business Affairs / County News / Information Technology
Frederick Secures Company for Broadband Feasibility Study

Frederick County has contracted with CTC Technology and Energy to complete a countywide broadband feasibility study. The Frederick News-Post reports: According to the contract between the county and CTC, the technology consulting firm will produce a written report that addresses the following, among other areas: Current and future needs of broadband service, based on county demographics. Estimate of any possible project costs and timelines. Any current providers and where current technology exists. How much stakeholders…

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November 6, 2019
Business Is Booming in Frederick
Business Affairs / County News / Economic Development
Business Is Booming in Frederick

Sixty-three percent of Frederick County businesses surveyed during this year's Business Appreciation Week said they have plans to expand, County Executive Jan Gardner announced last week. “Our businesses are booming because of Frederick County’s outstanding quality of life and our excellent workforce,” Executive Gardner said. “We have a strong and growing economy with a record 104,000 jobs. Frederick County is a great place to do business!” According to a press release: Eight-one percent of business…

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November 5, 2019
Short-Term Rental Revolution: What’s Your Game Plan?
Business Affairs / County News / Economic Development / Planning and Zoning / Taxes and Revenues / Winter Conference
Short-Term Rental Revolution: What’s Your Game Plan?

Lodging is evolving through technology, as many tourists and visitors now seek to stay in shared spaces and other short-term lodging alternatives. While short-term rentals can help diversify tourism by promoting areas that need visitors the most and reducing overcrowding in tourist hotspots, significant challenges remain regarding the regulation and fair and equitable taxation of short-term rental properties. At the MACo Winter Conference session, "Short-Term Rental Revolution: What's Your Game Plan?" an expert panel will detail the latest trends on the…

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November 5, 2019
Conowingo Settlement Targets Bay Cleanup, Clears Way For Licensing
Business Affairs / Environment / Winter Conference
Conowingo Settlement Targets Bay Cleanup, Clears Way For Licensing

The State of Maryland and Exelon, owners of the Conowingo Dam, have reached a $200 million settlement agreement detailing water cleanup obligations for the power facility on the Susquehanna River, a major Chesapeake Bay tributary. The Conowingo Dam, whose federal license is up for renewal before the Federal Energy Regulatory Committee, has been seeking its clearance for that approval - including a state-level sign-off for years. The $200 million settlement announced today presumably clears the…

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October 29, 2019
Business Affairs / County News / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
State Receives Federal Grant to Support International Efforts and Export Program

As part of a continuing effort to broaden Maryland’s international reach and help companies create jobs and access new foreign markets, the Maryland Department of Commerce has been awarded a $550,000 grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant will be used to support Maryland Commerce’s international efforts, including attending overseas trade shows in targeted industry sectors and helping to fund the state’s ExportMD program, which provides matching grants of…

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October 15, 2019
Local Bill Aims to Expand 5G Wireless Service in Montgomery
Business Affairs / County News / Economic Development / General Assembly News / Information Technology / Planning and Zoning
Local Bill Aims to Expand 5G Wireless Service in Montgomery

The Montgomery County Council will consider a zoning text amendment (ZTA) to set standards for the deployment of small cell wireless antennas in residential areas. The measure, sponsored by Council Members Hans Riemer, Gabe Albornoz, and Craig Rice, provides a balanced approach for the deployment of next-generation wireless infrastructure, which will offer faster speeds, enhanced reliability, and higher network capacity. Small cells are wireless antennas that have a smaller footprint and shorter range than macrocells (what…

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October 1, 2019
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