Development Suspended In Parts Of Anne Arundel Co.

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The Department of Public Works has announced a development moratorium effective immediately after its sewage system hit max capacity following the recent spell of wet weather.

The department's Monday announcement specifically states the moratorium will impact any new subdivisions, even if they are still in process, as well as "any new building permits and new tenant fit-out permits connecting to the Baltimore County Patapsco Interceptor and Sewage Pumping Station."

The moratorium directly impacts the regions of Hanover, Linthicum Heights and Pumphrey. Both the BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport and the Arundel Mills shopping mall are included in the affected area.

Karen Henry, who serves as the DPW director for the county, said in a release that officials had "exhausted all options before arriving at the conclusion that we cannot approve any new connections in these specific areas."

"Our primary focus is to protect the health of our residents and the environment by avoiding sanitary sewer overflows," Henry said.

The department said that exceptions will only be made for infill lots with failing septic systems, and that tenant fit-out permits will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Amy Mininger, a DPW spokesperson, told The Banner that the county was aware of 18 developments that could be impacted by the order.

Anne Arundel County Councilman Pete Smith told the outlet that he was "flabbergasted" by the announcement. Smith, who represents the impact area, said he wasn't made aware of the moratorium until the release was issued.

DPW explained that limits laid out in multijurisdictional agreements with Baltimore County and City were factors in its current situation. Efforts to increase flow limitations to Baltimore County's Patapsco Pumping Station proved unsuccessful "due to ongoing consent decrees" that have been in place for years.

It's unclear when the moratorium could be lifted by officials.

Read more at The Banner.