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January 10, 2018 I Volume 12 I Issue 1 Zoning Bulletin <br />Zoning News from Around the <br />Nation <br />MARYLAND <br />Frederick County officials are reportedly working to draft a compro- <br />mise ethics reform bill for the upcoming General Assembly session. <br />Currently, "the law prohibits members of the County Council and <br />county executive from accepting campaign donations from people who <br />have pending zoning applications." Current law also "requires the of- <br />ficials to disclose any ex parte communications about applications <br />while they are pending." Under the proposals being considered, reform <br />would include a prohibition on campaign donations from people who <br />work for applicants seeking zoning changes, which would include at- <br />torneys, architects, engineers and traffic consultants. Another proposal <br />being considered would add candidates from the Planning Commission <br />to the prohibition. <br />Source: The Frederick News -Post; www.fredericknewspost.com <br />MISSOURI <br />The City of Springfield is considering a bill aimed at regulating <br />short-term rentals. Among other things, the bill would require owners <br />to obtain annual business licenses and certificates of occupancy. The <br />bill would also institute distance requirements between different short- <br />term rentals in certain areas of the city. The bill will undergo public <br />comment in January and is expected to be presented by the city's Plan- <br />ning and Zoning Commission to the City Council in February. <br />Source: Springfield News -Leader; www news -leader. com <br />PENNSYLVANIA <br />An inclusionary zoning bill is being considered by the Philadelphia <br />City Council. The bill "aims to promote affordable housing by mandat- <br />ing developers to set aside about 10 percent of units for affordable <br />housing in properties featuring nine or more units. In lieu of affordable <br />housing, developers could pay between $11,000 and $30,000 per unit <br />into the Philadelphia Housing Trust Fund, depending on specifications <br />of the project." Reportedly, proponents of the bill believe it will help <br />alleviate the city's affordable housing crises, while opponents worry <br />the bill will "leav[e] developers more vulnerable to additional costs, <br />possibly pushing them out of the market entirely." <br />Source: Billy Penn; https://billypenn.com <br />12 © 2018 Thomson Reuters <br />