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PLANNING Article I. In General. 18A-1 to 18A-5. Reserved for future legislation. Article II. Environmental Impact. 18A-6. Policy of city. 18A-7. Environmental impact statement-Required. 18A-9. Same--Provisions; conformity. 18A-10. Copy of article to be sent to applicant on zoning or subdivision matter; City Council hearing. 18A-11. Notification of the public. 18A-12. City to provide environmental impact statements. 18A-13. Cooperation of other governmental units.
Article I. In General. Sec. 18A-1 to 18A-5. Reserved for future legislation.
Article II. Environmental Impact. In concert with enhancing and preserving environmental quality, it is the policy of the City Government to use all practicable means and measures to create and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony and fulfill the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations. Every citizen has a responsibility to contribute to the preservation and enhancement of the quality of the environment. There is a need to understand the relationship between the maintenance of high-quality ecological systems and the general welfare of the people of the City, including their enjoyment of the natural resources of the City. It is the intent of the City that the protection and enhancement of the environment shall be given appropriate weight with social and with economic considerations in public policy. Social, economic, and environmental factors shall be considered together in reaching decisions on proposed activities. In order to carry out the provisions of this Chapter, it is the continuing responsibility of the City to use all practicable means, consistent with other essential considerations, to improve and coordinate plans, functions, programs, and resources to the end that the City may: A. fulfill the responsibilities of each generation as trustee of the environment for succeeding generations. B. assure for all citizens safe, healthful, productive, and aesthetically and culturally pleasing surroundings. C. attain the widest range of beneficial uses of the environment without degradation, risk to health or safety, or other undesirable and unintended consequences; D. preserve important historic, cultural, and natural aspects of out heritage, and maintain, wherever possible, an environment which supports diversity and variety of individual choice. E. achieves a balance between growth and resource use which will permit high standards of living and a wide sharing of life's amenities; and F. enhance the quality of renewable resources and approach the optimum attainable re-cycling of depletable resources. Sec. 18A-7. Environmental impact statements-Required. The City Manager may require an applicant whose zoning matter or subdivision matter over 10 acres, 50 dwelling units, or 25,000 sq. ft. of commercial/industrial floor space is referred to the City of Bowie, to file an environmental impact statement separately or as a part of the initial application with the City Manager. Sec. 18A-9. Same--Provisions,-Conformity. Each environmental impact statement prepared in accordance with this Chapter should include at least (or be part of a document that includes) the following to comply with this ordinance. (a) A description of the proposed action; (b) A description of the existing environmental setting; (c) The favorable and adverse environmental impacts of the proposed action; (d) The means and estimated costs necessary to minimize the adverse impacts; The City Manager may issue further guidelines clarifying the above as directed by the City Council. The City Manager shall determine whether any impact statement received conforms to the guidelines, and if it does not substantially conform shall so notify the applicant, the City Council and the Bowie Advisory Planning Board (BAPB). Sec. 18A-10. Same-Copy of article to be sent to applicant on zoning or subdivision matter-City Council Hearing. Upon formal inquiry by the applicant or initial referral to the City of a zoning or subdivision matter, involving property over 10 acres, 50 dwelling units or 25,000 sq. ft., the City Manager may immediately send the applicant a copy of this Chapter and a letter of instructions. A Council hearing will be held no less than 21 days after the receipt of six copies of the environmental impact statement by the City Manager. Whenever the due date of the City of Bowie's response to the County Council or the Park and Planning Commission requires it, the City Council may schedule its hearing even if it has not received the impact statement and/or the BAPB report of same called for hereunder. Sec. 18A-11. Notification of the public. The City Manager, upon receiving an environmental impact statement from an applicant, will send two copies of the document within two working days to the BAPB, and make a copy of the document available for review by any concerned citizen at the City Hall or other convenient place. Notice of the public hearings of the Bowie Advisory Planning Board and of the City Council for the formal review of the proposed action shall be given in accordance with the City of Bowie policy re-zoning hearing notices. Sec. 18A-12. City to provide environmental impact statements. The City of Bowie declares its intention to subject its own designated actions to scrutiny on environmental considerations by providing a public environmental impact statement for review by the BAPB and citizens. The City Manager shall determine which actions have environmental considerations requiring the preparation of an environmental impact statement by the City. Sec. 18A-13. Cooperation of other governmental units. The City Manager is hereby directed to contact any state or local governmental unit proposing to engage in any activity having substantial environmental relevance in or near the City of Bowie, and to request that unit to cooperate fully with the City in carrying out the intent of this Chapter. |
 Bowie City Hall |
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