Development Review Division
Lynn Lanham, Chief
410-887-3480
mlanham@baltimorecountymd.gov
Mission of Development Review Division
Development Review is committed to development and land use of the highest quality. This division ensures compliance with Federal, State and County laws through the review of proposals and the development of plans, policies, and procedures in order to make recommendations to approving authorities. Our goal is to achieve the vision of the Master Plan by promoting and preserving safe and sustainable communities of a high aesthetic quality for the citizens of Baltimore County.
Staff
Lynn Lanham, Division Chief
mlanham@baltimorecountymd.gov
Kathy Are, Division Assistant
kare@baltimorecountymd.gov
Jennifer Nugent
jnugent@baltimorecountymd.gov
Curtis Murray
cjmurray@baltimorecountymd.gov
Lloyd Moxley
lmoxley@baltimorecountymd.gov
Krystle Patchak
kpatchak@baltimorecountymd.gov
Bruce Seeley
rseeley@baltimorecountymd.gov
Barbara Weaver
bweaver@baltimorecountymd.gov
The Development Review Division coordinates the review of residential and commercial development (with respect to Planning) throughout Baltimore County through technical and design review. Specifically this division makes recommendations and suggests changes based on standards and principles in the Baltimore County Zoning Regulations, Comprehensive Manual of Development Policies (CMDP), The Baltimore County Code (development article), Land Use/ Management Plan, Community Plans and the Master Plan. The purpose for the development review division is to effectively plan and implement quality development of raw and redeveloped land throughout the municipality. The division develops guidelines, manuals and procedures to be used in the review of development plans.
New Development Trends and Standards
Traditional Housing Building Standards (PDF)
Over time, the County received responses from the community, developers, and builders regarding the optional traditional housing standards. After several test cases (Waterview, Yorkway and Renaissance Square) the regulations and standards have been modified. In addition, architectural standards have also been created to reflect these changes.
The Standards for Traditional Housing, as also outlined in the CMDP, were updated and approved by the County Council on October 4, 2010. The modified section will replace the existing Neo-Traditional Housing Standards within the CMDP.
Section 260 of the BCZR Revisions (PDF)
The changes are intended to assist the Department in its current and future efforts to ensure that development in Baltimore County is held to specific and prescriptive architectural standards. Section 260 of the Baltimore County Zoning Regulations regulates the residential performance standards for single family residential development within the county.
The Residential Performance Standards Section 260 of the Baltimore County Zoning Regulations (BCZR) was adopted through a public hearing process in accordance with Article 3, Title 7 of the Baltimore County Code and will be added to the Comprehensive Manual of Development Policies (CMDP) as a Manual of Regulations.
Planned Unit Developments (PUDs)
The Planned Unit Development (PUD) is an optional process permitted by Baltimore County Code Section 32-4-241, et seq. The Planned Unit Development process does not establish new zoning, but is intended to create a development “in which residential and/or commercial uses are approved subject to restrictions calculated to achieve the compatible and efficient use of land, including the consideration of any detrimental impact upon adjacent residential communities.”
Boards and Commissions
The voters of Baltimore County, in the Charter enacted in 1956 established the 15 member Board that is, technically, a separate part of the Department; in practice, the Board receives staff support from Planning (Development Review Division) and functions as an independent body.
The Design Review Panel (DRP) was established by Section 32-4-203 of the Baltimore County Code 2004, as amended. The Panel receives staff support from Planning (development review division) and functions as an independent body.
Development Review division also represents the Department at various committees managed by other agencies.
Revised August 8, 2011
