MACo Associate Director Les Knapp testified in opposition to HB 1344 before the House Environmental Matters Committee on March 18.  The bill, sponsored by Delegate Pam Beidle, would extend the tolling period of State and local building permits and approvals, applying retroactively to permits or approvals issued on January 1, 2008.  The bill would apply to development permits, zoning special exceptions, zoning variances, site plan approvals, development plan approvals, initial or sketch plan approvals, and any other…

MACo Associate Director Les Knapp supported SB 278 with amendments before the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee on February 23.  The bill, sponsored by the Administration, would reconstitute the Task Force on the Future for Growth and Development in Maryland, which is set to sunset in December, 2010, into the Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission.  The Commission would run until the end of 2020. Mr. Knapp noted that concerns raised by MACo over the membership and duties of…

MACo Associate Director Les Knapp testified in support of HB 474 with amendments before the House Environmental Matters Committee on February 17.  The bill, sponsored by the Administration, would reconstitute the Task Force on the Future for Growth and Development in Maryland, which is set to sunset in December, 2010, into the Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission.  The Commission would run until the end of 2020. Maryland Secretary of Planning Rich Hall and Growth Task Force Chair Jon…

MACo Associate Director Les Knapp testified in opposition to HB 493 before the House Environmental Matters Committee on February 18.  The bill would extend the default term of a Developer Rights and Responsibilities Agreement (DRRA) from 5 to 10 years and restrict the ability of a local government to change ordinances, regulations, or policies impacting land under a DRRA unless there was an imminent threat to the health, safety, or welfare to the residents of all or…