HB530 - Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act; amends Act to require SWCB to allow use and development of land.

1 Co-Sponsor

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