Spring is just around the corner. After the January ice event that left a thick layer of frozen snow on the ground for weeks, I am more eager than ever for warmer weather. With the change of seasons comes an increase in activity to county parks and trails, so it is important for you to know about proposed changes to the rules and regulations those public amenities in Bill 11-26. Updates to sections of our code are necessary as language becomes dated and does not cover the full array of new technologies and the activities that may come with those technologies or advancement of recreational devices, and overall updates on the rules within county parks and on county trails.
Bill 11-26 proposes several minor updates related to camping and waste removal from camp sites, and expands protections of flowers, grass, trees to include “all foliage”
Plan on having a gathering or long day out at the park this season that includes a prepared meal? Grilling of any kind is currently allowed with permission from the Director – updated language would prohibit any grilling outside of the designated grilling area, thereby allowing grilling in designated areas without express permission. The director retains the ability to prohibit grilling even in designated areas, for safety reasons (wind, drought etc.).
“Vaping” has been added as a prohibited activity, as well as the display of items that contain confetti, glitter, helium, mylar, or aerosol propelled liquid plastic. “Drone” is added to the list of remote control devices that must receive a permit for use in county parks, and “pickleball court(s)” are added to the list of areas where private instruction for profit may not take place. In addition to pickleball courts, the bill clearly outlines that private lesson or instruction where a fee is charged, cannot take place anywhere on county property, including on trails, fields, forest, beach, ponds, lakes, wetlands or other natural areas.
An entire new section of prohibitions is proposed as it relates to boat ramps in county parks. Proposed prohibitions include no moor or tie off of any boat on county property in any area not designated as a wharf, dock or quay and sets limitations for launching or landing a motorized watercraft at a Recreation and Park area. Swimming or wading outside of areas designated by the department is prohibited. And finally, the bill updates county code to add definitions of e-bikes and e-scooters to allow for enforcement of existing department policy that prohibits certain types of electric powered- 2 wheeled e-vehicles. The bill is moving through the legislative process and will go into effect 45 days after passage.
County parks are a great amenity for residents, and knowing the rules and regulations before you go helps everyone have an enjoyable experience.
It is also important to have enjoyment on your private property, and over the years I have heard from residents who are experiencing light pollution from a neighboring commercial property. Our current code has zoning requirements within residential districts, that lights installed on residential lots shall be directed down and away from adjoining lots. For property owners who neighbor a property that is not zoned residential (commercial, industrial etc.), there is no lighting requirement that the lights be situated in the same manner, even if they are next to a residential lot. I have introduced Bill 15-26, which would do just that. It is a simple bill that adds the same requirements for any property that adjoins a residential lot, to direct the light downwards and away from the residential lot or aims to confine the light to a specific area of the non-residential property. The first hearing for this bill is March 16th.
Lights of any kind and located anywhere, need power. As do nearly all of our daily devices and household appliances etc. Power and energy has been a topic of discussion in recent years, especially during the Maryland General Assembly session where energy policy is made. Technology is already thinking outside of the box on ways we can store unused energy for use at a later time to support the grid, or back fill if the grid cannot keep up with demand. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) aim to fill that gap but are currently not a use listed in our zoning code. BESS can range from larger facilities to smaller obscure units strategically located to shore up grids in key areas. I have introduced Bill 9-26 that would allow for BESS systems as a conditional use in commercial, industrial and mixed use districts. Conditions included, but not limited to are, that the BESS be surrounded by fencing and any necessary landscaping buffers or vegetation, comply with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards for installation of energy storage systems and conduct a hazard mitigation analysis prior to permit approval. These facilities would have little to no traffic and could fill the energy gap in critical times. Bill 9-26 is moving through the legislative process and will have at least one more hearing in March.
Your feedback is always important to me. If you have thoughts on these bills, other legislation, or a constituent concern, please email me at Amanda.fiedler@aacounty.org.
It is an honor to serve you and your family.