Anne Arundel County Council members spent much of a long meeting last night debating new storm water management standards, including whether redevelopment sites should be required to do as much to improve water quality and protect stream beds as new developments and subdivisions.
In the end, council members agreed to about a dozen amendments to a storm water management bill, although at times they disagreed over how best to serve the environment and commercial and housing developers.
One issue put to rest is what developers of redevelopment sites - existing commercial or industrial areas that are being updated and revitalized - will have to do to meet the new regulations.
From the start, officials planned to require redevelopment sites to reduce hard surfaces such as roofs and parking lots by 40 percent, or provide a combination or other storm water management measures, including rooftop gardens or turf troughs adjacent to parking lots, to help clean runoff before it soaks into the ground.
But complaints from developers led to a change of heart by some, including Councilwoman Pamela G. Beidle, a Linthicum Democrat, who reiterated her concerns that unless developers are encouraged to redevelop blighted areas, they might buy up open space outside developed areas.
An amendment, which was passed by the council, requires developers of redevelopment sites to reduce hard surfaces by 20 percent, or enact other measures.
"Maybe with education will come less fear of change," said Beidle, referring to a plan to offer storm water management classes to the development community.
Councilwoman Barbara D. Samorajczyk, an Annapolis Democrat who battled to keep the higher standard, said council members "shouldn't assume that this change will increase costs to developers," and argued that with education, developers would realize the benefits - including aesthetic improvements - of providing storm water management.
Council members failed to agree on a deadline for when storm water management facilities must be completed at developments that have permits. Subdivision projects permitted as of July 1 do not have to comply with the new standards, but under language in the bill they must begin grading by Dec. 15 next year, or risk starting the design process from scratch.
Some members fear that grading permits could be extended, allowing developers to put off construction of storm water management facilities.
The state updated its storm water management regulations last year after a 10-year process that included intense debate regarding fair treatment for developers and adequate protection of natural resources. About half the counties in the state have adopted storm water management ordinances.
Yesterday morning, staff members from the Office of Planning and Zoning and Department of Public Works toured a parking lot at the county's Heritage government complex on Riva Road to learn about "rain gardens," strategically placed swaths of sand, rock and plants that help filter rain before it runs into surrounding streams and the Chesapeake Bay.
The county installed the gardenlike filtration areas at points along the perimeter and near the center of the parking lot as part of a state-sponsored program to encourage storm water management demonstrations.
Merril E. Plait, chief engineer of the development division of the Office of Planning and Zoning, said many county employees who use the parking lot aren't even aware of the gardens' purpose.
Plait, who has been working with developers and engineers as the county prepares to update its storm water rules, said he believes that builders are beginning to understand what options they have in terms of providing storm water facilities, which these days include grassy troughs, flowerbeds, and pebble and sand gutters.
