Engineering expert Raymod Rase, of the engineering firm Specs, Inc., met with the Luke, Maryland, Mayor and Town Council this
week to brief town officials on a new storm-water runoff ordinance that
will govern new development but “grandfather” existing homes and other
structures. The expert presented the state-mandated
ordinance, which takes a nine-page document that had governed
stormwater runoff since 2000, and expanded it to a regulatory package
more than 2 inches thick. Like revisions to sewage treatment systems
that required the $26 million sewer plant upgrade just north of
Westernport, Rase said the changes were prompted by concern for the
health of the Chesapeake Bay.
Rase noted that existing homes, businesses and parking lots will not be affected. The act will only apply to new construction, including any building projects that NewPage may undertake. “This is for new construction, it's not yet retroactive,” he said. “As long as everything stays as is, you don't have to do anything.” Rase said the new law provides local government little latitude in applying the various provisions. “This isn't something we really have a lot of choice on,” he said. The town has until November to adopt a draft ordinance. A final ordinance must be adopted by next spring.
Excerpted from www.newstribune.info
Rase noted that existing homes, businesses and parking lots will not be affected. The act will only apply to new construction, including any building projects that NewPage may undertake. “This is for new construction, it's not yet retroactive,” he said. “As long as everything stays as is, you don't have to do anything.” Rase said the new law provides local government little latitude in applying the various provisions. “This isn't something we really have a lot of choice on,” he said. The town has until November to adopt a draft ordinance. A final ordinance must be adopted by next spring.
Excerpted from www.newstribune.info
