If you live in the Fifth District, you may have received a letter in the mail about a zoning change. Zoning determines what can be built on a property. Every four years, the Baltimore County Council can rezone land, allowing anything from a farm to a major development to be constructed.
During the first phase of the rezoning process, propertyowners and community groups submitted requests. Our office then initiated a review of thousands of additional acres.
Propertyowners typically want to keep or intensify their zoning. We have a long and cherished tradition of private property rights in the United States. But at the same time, developing land produces costs that are borne by everyone near a new housing project or shopping center. My constituents are not thrilled with the prospect of raising taxes to pay for the infrastructure required by new development.
I am also very concerned about school overcrowding, including 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.
I also want to protect sensitive land along places like Cromwell Bridge Road, the ridge line in West Towson, Charles Street, and other undeveloped areas of the Fifth District. Many of our changes apply the Neighborhood Commons designation, which essentially creates open space zoning.
For all these reasons, I have initiated a sweeping review of zoning to determine what is the sustainable level of development in the Fifth District. To remain informed, please follow my Facebook page on rezoning, http://www.facebook.com/District5czmp. There will be a public meeting on the changes on Tuesday, March 22 at 6 p.m. at Perry Hall High School, with a sign-in at 5 p.m.