HB 530

Abstract

Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act; local government ordinances; criteria for local governments; Resource Protection Area exceptions. Amends the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act to requirethe State Water Control Board, in developing criteria for local governmentsto use as they consider development in Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas, to allow use and development of land that is reasonable inthe circumstances and does not deprive the owner of all economicallyviable use of the property. The bill also requires a locality subjectto the Act to provide exclusive authority in its implementing ordinanceto the local governing body and certain boards and commissions ofthe locality to grant exceptions to any land development within aResource Protection Area, as defined by the State Water Control Board,or expanded by the locality in accordance with such rules of theBoard. The bill allows any adjacent or otherwise affected propertyowner to seek certain equitable remedies against the locality inthe appropriate circuit court.