Speak Out on Zoning and Future Development in Your Community

Every four years, the County Council looks at the zoning – or development potential – of property throughout Baltimore County. Once land has a certain zoning classification, it allows the construction of homes or shopping centers, or more agricultural uses such as farmland.

Our office has initiated a review of several thousand acres in the Fifth District to examine the impact of growth on schools and surrounding neighborhoods. Of this amount, we have recommended that much of the acreage be designated as Neighborhood Commons, which preserves the property as open space where no development can occur. I authored the legislation that created this zoning classification in 2012, and am advising that many public places and community common areas be placed into this category. Many of the white signs in your community are related to the downzoning of this land.

Four years ago, the County Council downzoned more than 400 acres of land to lighten the impact of growth on our schools. For 2016, I am particularly concerned about enrollment at places like Perry Hall Middle School. Right now, hundreds of homes can still be built in the area served by Perry Hall Middle School, which already has 1,746 students and is expected to exceed its state-rated capacity by 200 students next year.

Private propertyowners and community groups have raised other issues as well.

Should future development occur at the same rate, stay the same, or go down? This is your opportunity to speak out.

The Planning Board will hold a hearing at Perry Hall High School on Tuesday, March 22 at 6 p.m. to hear comments from the community. Sign-up is at 5 p.m.

To stay informed about the Comprehensive Zoning Map Process, “like” the following page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/District5czmp