Latest news with #zoninglaws
CBS News
30-07-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Howard County Council passes emergency bill targeting for-profit house parties
The Howard County Council unanimously voted to pass an emergency measure Wednesday that cracks down on for-profit house parties. The bill raises fines for paid parties on residential properties from $250 to $2,500 for the first offense and $5,000 for any further offenses. According to the council, the emergency measure is needed to address public health and safety issues surrounding the for-profit parties. Councilwoman Deb Jung, who introduced the measure, told our partners at the Baltimore Banner that several paid parties have been reported so far this summer. According to the Banner, the parties are often held at short-term rental homes, as some owners rent to groups who host the ticketed events. The parties violate zoning laws, which prohibit short-term rental and commercial activity in some residential areas. The new measure comes just after the Montgomery County Council took similar action this month, raising penalties to $5,000 for paid party offenses. Councilmembers in the Maryland county argued that the smaller fines were not effective, especially after a house party in a wealthy neighborhood advertised $1,000 tickets, the banner reported. Howard County has seen similar parties, though county police told the Banner they are usually called to the events for noise complaints, disorderly conduct or parking issues. Officials said the parties usually die down after police arrive. While the measure passed unanimously in Howard County - with the absence of councilwoman Liz Walsh – Councilman Opel Jones previously expressed worries about unintended consequences, according to the Banner.
CBS News
01-07-2025
- General
- CBS News
Maryland community wins appeal over proposed W.R. Grace plastic recycling plant
The Howard County Hearing Examiner sided with neighbors who appealed the county's decision to allow a plastic recycling plant in Columbia. The ruling overturns the Department of Planning and Zoning's (DPZ) determination that the facility does not violate zoning conditions, sending the matter back to the DPZ for further review. Residents oppose plastic recycling plant Howard County residents have been pushing for protections against the proposed plastic recycling plant after learning Maryland-based chemical company, W.R. Grace & Co., planned to build in a location that would border several neighborhoods. In 2024, residents submitted a zoning regulation amendment, asking the county's planning board to prevent research activities from being built close to neighborhoods if they require an emissions permit from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). In March, the county council voted against a zoning change that would have prevented the facility – and others like it – from opening near any residential areas. Despite the setbacks, residents continued to call for a 1,800 buffer zone between neighborhoods and the proposed recycling facility, citing potential pollution and emissions that could impact the community's health. "I'm just appalled and I can't even believe this can possibly be approved so close to neighborhoods," said Howard County resident Andrea Levinson, who lives about two miles from the proposed plant. Some residents clarified that they were not opposed to the plant, but to the location. "Too close is too close," said Howard County resident Leonard Boyd. "There's still a danger of an explosion, and why is it so close to residential? So even if every case they are making is true, why not build it away from communities?" In late June, W.R. Grace received approval from the MDE to move forward with the proposed plant. The company said its new plant would not burn plastic, but would instead study methods for recycling plastic that are safe and effective. "Concerns about this project are misinformed," the company said in a previous statement. "Grace scientists have developed a new plastic recycling solution that has the potential to reduce emissions, save energy and lower costs compared to other options, and we are confident that there will be no impact on the community. Grace is committed to being a responsible business, a good neighbor and a safe workplace for our 600 on-site employees – 400 of whom are Howard County residents." Howard County residents win appeal In siding with residents, the county hearing examiner determined that DPZ's investigation into the proposed plant was insufficient as it relied on W.R. Grace's self-classification of permitting zoning uses. In the appeal, the hearing examiner said the plant's zoning status raised questions about zoning compliance. The appeal paused the use of the building where the plant would be until DPZ completes its review. "We're grateful that the Hearing Examiner recognized what our community has said for months—that W.R. Grace's plans to build a plastic incinerator next to our homes deserved far more than a rubber stamp," said Aidan Morrell, a resident and attorney who has aided in the legal process. "The ruling clarified that DPZ must conduct more thorough, site-specific investigations to examine the actual nature of the proposed activities as well as the health and safety impacts on neighboring residential communities," Morrell added. WJZ has reached out to W.R. Grace for comment.
CTV News
25-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Illegal truck terminal in Halton Hills fined, prohibited from operating on property
An illegal truck depot on Winston Churchill Boulevard in Halton Hills has been fined, and prohibited from using the property on which it was operating and ordered to restore it. One Value Limited along with two of its directors were recently convicted of one zoning charge (illegal use) and three site alteration charges: two for failing to obtain a site alteration permit and one for failing to comply with a site alteration order. Further, the court has issued a prohibition order under the Provincial Offences Act, which prohibits an individual or entity from engaging in certain activities related to the offence they were convicted of. '(This order) is typically issued to prevent further harm, protect the public, or ensure compliance with provincial regulations. In the case of an illegal site alteration, it can also require restoration of the property,' the town said in a June 25 news release. 'Our valued farmland must not be destroyed by illegal truck terminals,' Mayor Ann Lawlor added. Halton Hills says it has been vigilant in enforcing By-law 2010-0050, noting that truck depots can house hundreds of illegally parked trucks. When in use, these vehicles 'add to traffic congestion, negatively impact farmland and threaten safety given the size and mobility of these 40-foot tractor trailers,' it said. The Town of Halton Hills, which has a population of about 64,000, noted that it has a zoning by-law in place that prohibits storing or parking commercial motor vehicles on residential and agricultural properties, most of which are along Steeles Avenue. 'We currently have over 50 properties in Halton Hills with illegal land use violations including illegal truck depots,' Susie Spry, manager of enforcement services, said.
Daily Mail
10-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Residents on ritzy Nantucket street score triumph after turning on neighbors in bitter legal battle
Wealthy Nantucket residents have scored a legal win against neighbors who were operating short-term rentals out of their historic district. Massachusetts Land Court judge Michael Vhay ruled that vacation rentals violate zoning laws in the island's ritzy historic district. The judge sided with Silver Street resident Cathy Ward in her lawsuit against neighbors Peter and Linda Grape, who had been operating short-term rentals on West Dover Street in Nantucket. The judge overturned a September 2024 decision by the Nantucket Zoning Board of Appeals that had permitted the rentals. Vhay ruled that current zoning bylaws prohibit rentals shorter than 31 days in the Residential Old Historic district, except for room rentals within owner-occupied homes, as reported by the Nantucket Current. The decision ultimately bans most short-term vacation rentals in the neighborhood. The ruling comes after years of dramatic neighborhood disputes over vacation rentals on the exclusive enclave, which is known as 'Billionaire's Isle'. Town officials have tried six times to legalize short-term rentals through local votes but residents have repeatedly rejected the proposals. The most recent attempt in May failed despite majority support as it fell short of the required two-thirds threshold. Town counsel John Giorgio had warned voters that rejecting local solutions would leave the matter 'in the hands of a judge in Boston.' 'It is in the best interests of the town - it's actually imperative - that you solve this problem locally,' Giorgio said ahead of the vote. 'And I mean here at [a] town meeting. If you don't, as I've said before, you're leaving it in the hands of a judge in Boston to make this decision for you. That comes with a substantial amount of risk to the town, to homeowners, both seasonal and year-round residents.' But planning board chairman David Iverson called the decision 'far more damaging' than Judge Vhay's initial ruling in March 2024. He claimed that without explicit zoning approval, the rentals 'are not legal.' 'I also don't think he's wrong in saying that unless it's expressly allowed in the zoning code, it's not allowed. That's our problem. They're not legal. That's the importance of putting a Y (yes) in the use chart and regulating through a general bylaw.' Iverson accused ACK Now, a campaign group made up of local residents, of having hidden motives and claimed the decision 'shows the true intentions' of the group. 'It's frustrating,' he said. 'We've gone down this road and the decision shows the true intentions of ACK Now: It's not to protect locals' right to rent, it's to stop all short-term rentals. I hope this motivates people. I'm not pro short-term rentals.' He warned that the ruling creates a 'troubling' precedent that could potentially hurt future generations with regulatory challenges. 'I want to create a regulatory system that works for the next generation and is not so cumbersome that those who come after us don't have the same challenges with regulations. So I think this is a troubling decision.'
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Douglas woman fights to keep her backyard chicken coop
DOUGLAS, Mich. (WOOD) — A Douglas woman is in a legal fight to keep the chickens that she has been raising in her backyard for months. Kathy Sarkisian told News 8 that she has been a big advocate of health and wellness for much of her life. She said that having backyard chickens felt like the next step in that journey, for the added health benefits chicken eggs have. 'It was just absolutely perfect,' she said. 'It fit right into everything I believe in.' So, Kathy went through the permitting process with the city. Ultimately, a zoning official approved her permit and she began building, which she said costs her about $23,000. Shortly after her permit was accepted, the dream started to fade away. She said a city zoning official said a neighbor had objected to her chickens, which according to their city's ordinance would mean that her permit quote 'Shall not be granted, with no right of appeal.' 'When cities subjugate their authority to an individual, another property owner, they create dissension among their residents and that really bothers me,' Sarkisian said. Ultimately, Kathy said she was told to get rid of her chickens, which she did not do, leading her to being fined everyday that she has them. So, she filed a federal lawsuit against the city. A complaint was filed to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan stating: 'The city is depriving Kathy of her constitutional and civil rights, including the right to make productive use of her land without unreasonable governmental interference.' 'What if I had the authority to just say 'Nope, I don't want you to use that, so you can't.' It's kind of the same thing,' Sarkisian said. The lawsuit goes on to add that the city violated its own process by allowing neighbors to object to this after a permit had been granted. Kathy is being represented by the Pacific Legal Foundation. One of her attorneys told News 8 that the ordinance is unconstitutional and a violation of her civil rights protected by the Constitution. 'Neighbors can't wield government power like they are here,' Austin Waisanen, a property rights attorney with the Pacific Legal Foundation told News 8. 'The threat is that next time it won't just be chickens in your backyard, it'll be chickens playing in your backyard or barbequing or many other ordinary uses of land.' Sarkisian told News 8 that this means more to her than just chickens. It's about doing what is right. 'Most everybody told me 'Don't do it, it's going to be a problem, it is going to cost you a fortune, just get rid of the chickens,' and I am like, 'It's just not right. Sometimes you have to stand up and do what is right,'' she said. 'I am not holding any grudges, I just want the city to make it right and create a constitutional law.' News 8 did reach out to the City of Douglas for comment, but they declined due to the ongoing litigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
