I have introduced legislation that would restructure the existing Loch Raven commercial revitalization district and tighten the design standards for new construction in this area.
Under the proposed legislation, the Loch Raven district would shrink in the east so that county resources could be better focused on the area centered at Joppa Road and Loch Raven Boulevard. The district would be splintered into three district subareas: Baynesville near Joppa Road and Loch Raven Boulevard; Hillendale near Loch Raven Boulevard and Taylor Avenue; and Satyr Hill near Joppa Road and Perring Parkway.
In two of those areas, Baynesville and Hillendale, new construction would be subject to the Baltimore County Design Review Panel, a body of professional architects and engineers. The goal is to improve the look of future development. Minor changes would not be subject to review.
Community leaders have talked about reducing some of the visual clutter along Joppa Road and Loch Raven Boulevard for years, and now is the time to do it. When new construction occurs in these areas, it will be subject to tighter standards so we can hopefully have much more attractive buildings. We will have to live with new construction for 40 or 50 years, so let’s make it look better.