Paragon Outlet Proposal Up for Deliberation

There will be a public deliberation Thursday morning about the outlet mall proposed for White Marsh.

Paragon Outlets, the project that would create an outlet center on Interstate 95 and MD 43, has created a stir among some community members.

Residents have opposed the development due to its environmental and business impacts, with its location near White Marsh Run and the White Marsh Mall, The Baltimore Sun reports.

The zoning of the project has been a cause of contention.

The project initially called for a mixed-use development of 1,200 residences and 100 high-end stores like Coach, but developers have been trying to cut back on the number of residential units, according to ABC 2 News, which reports the mall and The Avenue have voiced concern.

A brochure for the outlets indicates the anticipated opening date is 2016.

Some lawmakers may assist the developers in sidestepping the opposition. Council Chair Cathy Bevins (D-Middle River) and Councilman Tom Quirk (D-Catonsville) introduced a bill this week that could render the zoning appeal a moot point, according to The Baltimore Sun.

The bill creates a space for outlet malls within light manufacturing and local business zoning districts, provided the outlets are near Interstate 95 and on at least 45 acres.

The Paragon Outlets would be developed on 48 acres, according to the Baltimore Business Journal.

The deliberation meeting will be at 9 a.m. on Thursday, July 16, at the Jefferson Building, Suite 206, at 105 West Chesapeake Avenue in Towson.