JAMIE BENOIT, Anne Arundel County Councilman, 4th District spoke to Severn River Association March 20 at 7:00, part of an on-going Speaker Series.  

• NAVAL ACADEMY DAIRY FARM will not become a Horse Park. The County is offering $250K/yr rent for a 30 year renewable lease. Uses will include the current tenant or other farmer, community and botanical gardens, youth education. Their proposal also leaves open the possibility for a 40 acre, solar installation which, if constructed could produce up to 6 megawatts of electricity, enough to power almost all the Naval Academy’s needs.
• ODENTON, dense growth is anticipated, especially around the train station. BRAC will have a huge impact. Much environmental harm could result. One example: an office building for Fort Meade Contractors, to be constructed by Trammell Crowe, will use County sewer and water and cause traffic impacts that DOE is not required to pay for. This property is in the Severn River Watershed, near Severn Run.

Benoit has a long list of requirements he would like to see introduced as a Bill if the Administration is favorable.

• CHESAPEAKE TERRACE, this 500 acre Halle landfill, sited 250’ from the Patuxent, in a former mining site, is a menace, badly conceived.
• CROWNSVILLE HOSPITAL PROPERTY, the first 500 acres, west of 97 is being acquired under Conservation Easement. The balance of the property has major diverse pollution problems, which will be addressed piecemeal by the County, with possible state and federal grant assistance, but how that is to be accomplished is in question.
• FINES, Leopold with Benoit’s support has introduced a Bill that will force use of illegally construction homes, marinas, piers, etc. to be discontinued. The $500 fine should be increased. And he would like to triple fines for violations in the Critical Area.
• A BILL to prohibit developers who have been found guilty of violations from found guilty of violations from being given new permits they've applied for. Co-Sponsored by Vitale, Benoit and Cohen. The Bill is likely to pass.

Benoit discussed other possible legislation such as:

• A BILL to change redevelopment requirements for impervious surface reduction from 20% to 50% may need public support.
• A BILL to increase steep slope buffers to 70% may meet opposition.
• A BILL to require the use of planted bioretention instead of curb and gutter is on its way.