On Monday, July 2, I introduced legislation that will hopefully lead to better design standards for new construction in the Perry Hall commercial revitalization district. This bill would subject new projects to the Baltimore County Design Review Panel, which evaluates projects in other areas of the county.
The Design Review Panel consists of nine members knowledgeable in matters of design, including architects, landscape architects, engineers and other design professionals. The professional members are appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council. The County Executive appoints the Chair.
Commercial districts in Arbutus, Catonsville, Essex, Pikesville, and Towson are already subject to the Design Review Panel.
Existing businesses that want to modify their appearance or make minor changes will not be affected by this bill. I am most concerned about larger areas where redevelopment will occur, such as the Butt’s Hardware property, the stores across the street along the 8830 block of Belair Road, and the area east of the Double-T Diner.
Any redevelopment projects will be with us for thirty or forty years, so let’s do them right.
I would also like to implement periodic clean-ups involving local merchants to clean up the weeds and trash that have accummulated at Belair, Joppa, and Ebenezer Roads. Hopefully, these improvements–along with the incentives already available through the commercial revitalization program–will enhance Downtown Perry Hall.