Council approves change to noise disturbance
Enforcement times will be adjusted for Anne Arundel
The Anne Arundel County Council approved legislation Monday that changes the enforcement time of noise disturbances
Bill 26-21, sponsored by Councilman Nathan Volke, R-Pasadena, changed the noise disturbance enforcement time from 11 p.m. to 10 p.m. It also updated county language to remove specific archaic references and update the law to cover newer technologies while aligning it with state regulations.
Volke said he had received feedback from a constituent who was concerned the text of the law would not bar loud noises from more modern devices.
One resident wrote a lengthy comment in support of the bill, detailing a fight she has had with a neighbor who won’t stop playing loud music and noises.
The bill passed unanimously.
The bill bills was one of several discussed in a lengthy meeting that included more than three dozen amendments to the General Development Plan, the county’s long-term planning document under review by council members.
Bill 25-21, introduced by Councilwoman Jessica Haire, R-Edgewater, raises the ceiling on the county’s Revenue Reserve Fund from 5% to 6%. The reserve fund is essentially a savings account the county keeps tethered to the General Fund, which funds day-to-day operations of the county government. Rising it to 6% means the county can legally hold more money in the fund.
The rest of the council had signed on as cosponsors, and it passed unanimously.
Bill 20-21, sponsored by Councilwoman Lisa Brannigan Rodvien, D-Annapolis, was held until April 19.
It changes county law to now require a developer to obtain approval when clearing smaller groups of trees as part of a forest — from 3 trees up to 4,999 square feet — if the forest includes a priority retention area as specified in the legislation. County Executive Steuart Pittman’s administration asked the council to hold the bill for further review.
Rodvien said the bill was put forth after changes to the county’s forest conservation law in 2019 revealed a loophole that developers could clear trees without approval as long as they didn’t hit a specific threshold.
The council also approved Bill 23-21, extending a lease with the Robert A. Pascal Youth and Family Services for another 15 years. The lease covers the Pascal Crisis Stabilization Center at 43 Community Place in Crownsville. The organization provides treatment for those with behavioral health and substance abuse issues.
The majority of discussion in the meeting was linked to the General Development Plan, with more than 40 amendments discussed and approved. Amendments to the plan ran a wide range from technical corrections to changing proposed zoning modifications to maintain riparian rights for nearby homeowners, such as one amendment put forth by Volke.
Council Chair Sarah Lacey, D-Jessup, said she expected the council to review a similar number of amendments at the April 19 meeting, when the council will vote on the plan as a whole. A work session is also scheduled for April 13 in which the amendments are expected to be discussed.
The GDP outlines plans to revitalize the Glen Burnie Town Center, policies aimed at protecting county greenways, open space, rural areas, and strengthening services for older adults and people with disabilities by increasing access to affordable housing and public transportation and expanding recreation options.
Though it’s widely known as a land-use plan, the GDP also makes policy recommendations relating to the natural and built environment, healthy communities and a healthy economy.