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Eastport and Maritime Operations Work Group - For the purpose of creating an Eastport and Maritime Operations Work Group to analyze the impact of Ordinance 25-21 on maritime operations and properties in the Waterfront Maritime Eastport (WME) zoning district, and to recommend how the City Council can support such operations and properties.
Body
CITY COUNCIL OF THE
City of Annapolis
Resolution-1-24
Introduced by: Alderman Schandelmeier
A RESOLUTION concerning
Eastport and Maritime Operations Work Group
FOR the purpose of creating an Eastport and Maritime Operations Work Group to analyze the impact of Ordinance 25-21 on maritime operations and properties in the Waterfront Maritime Eastport (WME) zoning district, and to recommend how the City Council can support such operations and properties.
WHEREAS, O-25-21, adopted by the City Council on October 25, 2021, by a vote of 8-1 and signed by Mayor Buckley, made several changes to waterfront maritime zoning districts and directed the Director of Planning and Zoning to form a "work group "to analyze the impact of this ordinance (O-25-21) on small maritime operations"; and
whereas, Waterfront Maritime Eastport (WME) zoning district property owners have been waiting for the study results as they seek means of adding amenities to support maritime uses and to attract new and future maritime uses; and
WHEREAS, A Maritime Task Force of 34 active members issued a report, "Maritime Task Force Report Executive Summary," on June 25, 2021, which contained areas of agreement on an action strategy for the City's maritime districts but did not cover issues requested O-25-21 via a work group;
WHEREAS, Active increased participation and additional information from WME zone community members is desirable in the preservation of maritime uses in the zone is desirable.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that:
1. The City Manager create an Eastport and Maritime Operations Work Group with the following duties, membership, staffing, goals and objectives, timeline, and expiration date:
a. Duties. The Eastport and Maritime Operations Work Group shall:
i. Assess the current and future viability projections for small maritime operations in the Waterfront Maritime Eastport (WME) zoning district;
ii. Evaluate current programs and initiatives of private and public stakeholders; and
iii. Recommend to the City Council how best to support the existing and future WME maritime uses and properties.
b. Membership. The Eastport and Maritime Operations Work Group shall comprise 11 members appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council.
i. The membership shall consist of:
(1) One representative from the Maritime Advisory Board; and
(2) Three residents who live in or near the WME zoning district; and
(3) Two representatives from maritime organizations; and
(4) Three maritime property owners from the WME zoning district; and
(5) Two representatives of maritime business owners from the WME zoning district.
ii. The work group shall elect a chair, vice-chair, and a secretary from among their appointed members.
iii. The work group may establish subcommittees as needed.
iv. The work group shall meet as often as necessary to accomplish its goals and objectives but shall schedule at least monthly meetings and report Findings and Recommendations to the City Council at the end of its term.
v. The work group may adopt rules of procedure as it deems necessary and appropriate for conducting its meetings and activities per the latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order.
vi. Work group members shall serve without compensation.
c. Staffing. The work group shall be staffed as assigned by the Director of Planning and Zoning, with assistance from the City Council Associate and the Economic Development Manager.
2. Goals and Objectives. The Eastport and Maritime Operations Work Group shall have the following goals and objectives:
a. Review the WME maritime zoning district, including identifying non-maritime uses contributing to, or compatible with, maintaining Annapolis's maritime character and ambiance; and
b. Identify key contributions similar to the “Maritime Triggers” identified in § 21.72.010, which smaller properties such as those commonly found in the WME are capable of providing to the Annapolis maritime community and the broader community of Annapolis residents seeking to enjoy the WME districts; and
c. Identify non-maritime uses that could support and subsidize Annapolis’ working maritime industry; and
d. Identify challenges for maritime properties and operations located in the WME zoning district after 35 years of having the WME zoning regulations in place:
i. Have the objectives of the legislation been met in the WME district?
ii. What has not worked in the WME?
iii. What has worked in the WME district?
e. Identify impacts of O-25-21 on WME properties:
i. What are the sizes and other characteristics of the properties and operations in the WME District compared to other maritime zoning districts?
ii. Based on the sizes and other characteristics of the properties and operations in the WME District, how were WME properties impacted compared to WMM and WMI properties?
iii. Based on the sizes and other characteristics of the properties and operations in the WME District, what would be the impact of providing WME-focused incentives compared to providing incentives codified by O-25-21?
f. Provide short-term recommendations for immediate legislative changes and long-term recommendations for legislative changes.
3. Timeline. The Eastport and Maritime Operations Work Group shall have the following timeline and milestones:
a. Monthly Progress Report to the City Council presented by a representative of the work group starting two months after the appointment of the work group; and
b. Draft Recommendations to the City Council five months after the appointment of the work group and to the Planning Commission and Maritime Advisory Board six months after the appointment of the work group; and
e. Final Findings and Recommendations to the Planning Commission and Maritime Advisory Board seven months after the appointment of the work group and to the City Council eight months after the appointment of the work group.
4. The Eastport and Maritime Operations Work Group shall expire five months after the final findings and recommendations are presented to the City Council.
AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that this resolution shall be enacted upon adoption.