Press Room

Development Ban Lifted, With Caveats

By Raymond McCaffrey

The Washington Post
Wednesday, September 12, 2007

City leaders in Annapolis, where many residents have long complained that growth is changing the face of the historic community, voted this week to lift a moratorium on major development and limit growth to areas with adequate public infrastructure and services.

Monday's action came more than a year after the City Council decided, in July 2006, to impose the moratorium until a so-called adequate public facilities ordinance could be adopted. The ordinance requires that, if necessary, developers add or upgrade public infrastructure, including water and sewer, storm water, recreational and maintenance facilities.

Critics of the ordinance said it didn't go far enough. Alderman Samuel Shropshire (D-Ward 7), who voted against the ordinance, called the legislation "weak" and "inept," saying it didn't address the impact that development will have on traffic in the city. Alderman Julie Stankivic (U-Ward 6) also opposed the measure, saying it needed to be reworked so as to "have teeth in it."

But Alderman David H. Cordle Sr. (R-Ward 5), who helped introduce the bill Sept. 11, 2006, said, "It's time to stop dragging our feet with it." Cordle noted that by addressing traffic in the adequate public facilities ordinance, the city might effectively cede authority to the state and county, which oversee many of the roadways in Annapolis.

"We would lose every bit of power we have," Cordle said.

Other council members agreed that passing imperfect legislation now and working to improve it later was a better course than additional delay.

"Right now, I think it is more important to get something in place," Alderman Ross H. Arnett III (D-Ward 8) said.

The ordinance comes as Annapolis is being transformed by development, including Park Place, a major condominium-business development not far from the heart of downtown. At the same time, Annapolis has a shortage of police officers and is working to tighten fire codes in a city that has suffered a spate of devastating downtown fires.

Under the ordinance, development would be tied to the adequacy of police, fire, rescue and emergency medical services. Police and fire chiefs, plus the heads of various city departments, would review development plans and determine the effect the proposals would have on city services.