At the Baltimore County Council meeting on Tuesday, January 17, legislation will be introduced that further reforms the Planned Unit Development (PUD) process. Under Bill 4-11, any PUD application will be posted on the County Council Web Site once the application is filed with the county.
Under a Planned Unit Development, a developer receives zoning flexibility in return for enhanced performance standards and a community benefit package. While PUDs have been controversial, they can play a useful role in developing and revitalizing communities. The County Council recognized there needed to be reform of the PUD process, and in 2011, the Council passed legislation that required community input and agency reviews before a PUD resolution is introduced before the Council. Bill 4-11 takes this one step further by requiring the PUD application to be posted on the Internet.
I commend Councilman Tom Quirk for coming up with this legislation. I am pleased to cosponsor the bill along with Councilman Ken Oliver, and look forward to its approval.