Tougher shoreline penalties proposed

Critical Area law violators would face consent order

By PAMELA WOOD, Staff Writer

Published 07/22/08

Anne Arundel County is moving to crack down on property owners who build on sensitive waterfront land without permission.

The County Council will consider a proposal from County Executive John R. Leopold that would require those who violate the Critical Area law to sign a legal document admitting guilt before seeking retroactive approvals for work that's already been done.

And if the property owner refuses to sign the document, called a consent order, the county would move to demolish the offending structure.

County Council Chairman Cathy Vitale, R-Severna Park, introduced the bill on Mr. Leopold's behalf....

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Great News - 2008-07-25 14:46:34

Crital Area has been abused since the law was enacted. Enforce the law and 10x the fines. These people have big money and they don't care about you or the health of the bay. Enforce the laws. Leopole is taking a great step. Sincerely

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B. White - Edgewater, MD - Karma: Bad

Key Points - 2008-07-23 12:06:29

Good article but I see these key points:
require those who violate the Critical Area law to sign a legal document admitting guilt before seeking retroactive approvals for work that's already been done.
That sounds like a loophole to me. Why not just tear out whatever they built and require them to restore the land to it's original condition, within a time period, at their cost?

Set time limits for the property owners to get approvals and fix the problems.
Isn't there already a time limit for people to get permits for building? Why not enforce that?

There also is a provision that allows the county's director of inspections and permits to waive the need for a consent decree for "minor" violations.
Wow! What's a "minor" violation? That covers too much ground.

The bottom line is that people here do not care about the environment or future generations. There are better places to live.

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S. Abbott - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Terrible

So? - 2008-07-22 16:10:50

if AA County is "moving to crack down on property owners who build on sensitive waterfront land without permission." Then why hasn't there been any concequenses for the Wagners building without permits? And why are the Clinkers allowed to move forward with building on Dobbins? What a joke!!! AA isn't cracking down on anything and AA Co residents will be allowed to continue to rape the Chesapeake without fear. I am so glad to be out of this county!

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Kristina P. - Easton, MD - Karma: Bad