The Design Review Panel (DRP) was established by Section 32-4-203 of the Baltimore County Code 2004, as amended. The goal of the DRP is to encourage design excellence through the application of design guidelines contained in the Master Plan, the Comprehensive Manual of Development Policies, adopted community plans / Section 260 of the Baltimore County Zoning Regulations, as applicable. The DRP’s general charge is to assess the overall quality of a project.
The DRP acts in a technical consulting capacity. Its recommendations are made a part of the record at the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) proceedings.
For a brief overview of the Design Review Panel, watch this video.
Design Review Areas
Bill 12-93 was enacted on January 19, 1993 to create the Baltimore County Design Review Areas. The development plans in these Design Review Areas are reviewed by the Design Review Panel, an advisory and consulting body to the County agencies involved in reviewing development plans. Design review is conducted for all projects located within designated Design Review Areas.
The Design Review Areas are designated areas that help ensure high design standards. There are two types of review areas—commercial (nonresidential) and residential.
- Arbutus
Map
Bill 12-93 - Catonsville
Map
Bill 12-93
The Catonsville Plan - Downtown Towson
Map
Resolution 7-15
Downtown Towson District Overview
Downtown Towson District Guidelines and Standards
Towson Community Plan - Dundalk
Map
Bill 82-21
Resolution 126-21
Dundalk Design Guidelines - Essex
Map
Bill 12-93
Resolution 127-21
Essex Design Guidelines - Historic East Towson
Map
Bill 100-20
Resolution 111-20
East Towson Design Standards - Honeygo Gateway
Map
Bill 59-21
Resolution 67-21 - Liberty Road
Map
Bill 82-21
Resolution 128-21
Liberty Road Design Guidelines - Loch Raven
Map
Bill 13-13 - Perry Hall
Map
Bill 50-12
Amendments - Resolution 61-12
Perry Hall Community Plan - Pikesville
Map
Bill 17-03
Pikesville Revitalization Plan Update - 2003
Pikesville Commercial Revitalization Guidelines (2006) - South Towson (SOTO)
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Bill 76-20
- Downtown Towson
Map
Resolution 7-15
Downtown Towson District (2016)
Towson Community Plan
Amenity Open Space: Towson Streetscape Standards - Historic East Towson
Map
Bill 100-20
Resolution 111-20
East Towson Design Standards - Honeygo Gateway
Map
Bill 59-21
Resolution 67-21 - Middle River
Map - Ruxton/Riderwood/Lake Roland
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Resolution 88-04
Ruxton Riderwood Lake Roland Area Community Plan - Sudbrook Park
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Sudbrook Park Community Plan - Towson Estates
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Resolution 66-15
Towson Estates Design Guidelines
Resources
The Department has prepared materials that describe the DRP review process and include an application for requesting a DRP review:
- DRP Commercial Review Handbook with Application
- DRP Residential Review Handbook with Application
- DRP Area Project Guidelines
Meetings
Projects that are referred to the DRP are discussed at their monthly meeting on the second Wednesday of every month except for August. All meetings are open to the public. Three members constitute a designated panel for the purpose of making recommendations on a particular project. Resubmittals of previously reviewed projects can be submitted within 10 business days of the meetings.
Cancellation of meetings held during normal working hours will be decided upon on a case-by-case basis. Unless otherwise noted, the meetings begin at 6 p.m. and are held virtually via Webex.
If, because of a disability, you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, call the Department of Planning at 410-887-3480 or via TTY, at 1-800-735-2258 or 711, at least two working days before the event.
Information For Presenters
Materials for presentations should be in PDF format, 15 MB or less and emailed to mkulchytska@baltimorecountymd.gov.
How to Provide Comments
Staff will provide instructions at the beginning of the meeting on how to submit comments via Webex chat:
- Select the chat feature to send your written comments to the meeting host (staff).
- Include your name, address, relationship to the project and the item you would like to provide a written comment on. Indicate whether you would like to speak.
- Those who do not wish to speak at the hearing but want to share their thoughts can provide written comment or testimony via email or Webex chat. The specific rules of procedure for the testimony will be available during the Webex meeting.
Mailed, written comments are also accepted by the Department at:
Department of Planning
105 West Chesapeake Avenue, Suite 101
Towson, Maryland 21204
Please mail to the attention of the Design Review Panel.
Inclement Weather Policy
This policy will be implemented for the foreseeable future and will follow the actions of the County offices.
No meetings will be held when County offices are closed for the day, meetings will proceed as scheduled if County offices are under liberal leave status. For questions regarding the cancellation of a meeting, call the Department of Planning at 410-887-3480.
Upcoming
The attendance and recommendations of the DRP are recorded in the meeting minutes. The tentative agenda for each meeting is available approximately two weeks prior to the meeting.
To view upcoming meeting details, select from the list below.
Members
Contact Us
Contact the panel by calling 410-887-3480 or by emailing the following staff:
- Jenifer Nugent, jnugent@baltimorecountymd.gov
- Brett M. Williams, bmwilliams@baltimorecountymd.gov
- Marta Kulchytska, mkulchytska@baltimorecountymd.gov