March 15, 2023 - Council District 2

1. EPS Variances
2. Planning Board Meetings
3. Introducing the Community Planning Institute
4. 2024 Comprehensive Zoning Map Process
5. Powder Mill Interceptor Relief Sewer
6. Reisterstown Road Water Main Project (Designated Phase III)
7. Water Line Construction on Falls Road
8. Development Meetings and Zoning Hearings

EPS VARIANCES

The Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability (EPS) publishes a list of the environmental administrative variance requests along with their status. The requests are listed by County Council District.

Information: EPS Variances for District 2

PLANNING BOARD MEETINGS

The board will meet in-person in the Jefferson Building Hearing Room, 105 West Chesapeake Avenue, Room 104, Towson, Maryland 21204 as follows:

• Thursday, March 16, at 4 p.m.
• Thursday, March 30, at 4 p.m.

Please check the Planning Board page for the meeting agenda, meeting procedures and any last-minute schedule changes.

Information: Contact Taylor Bensley by phone at 410-887-3482 or by email at tbensley@baltimorecountymd.gov.

INTRODUCING THE COMMUNITY PLANNING INSTITUTE

The Department of Planning announces the creation of the Community Planning Institute (CPI), an initiative to increase engagement with community members and stakeholders countywide regarding planning, land use and development. The CPI is planning to be held twice a year, with the anticipated size of the first class of participants at 20 to 25 individuals. The Institute will consist of weekly in-person sessions for a total of five weeks. Applications will be available in late March.

Information: Browse the Community Planning Institute website or contact April Smith by phone at 410-887-3480 or by email at asmith3@baltimorecountymd.gov.

2024 COMPREHENSIVE ZONING MAP PROCESS

The 2024 Comprehensive Zoning Map Process (CZMP) will begin on September 1 and will conclude in September of 2024. The CZMP takes place every four years on an exact schedule specified in the County Code. Any citizen may request a zoning change on any property in the County. The CZMP covers a period of approximately 12 months and results in zoning decisions that are reflected in a final Log of Issues, with the County Council enacting legislation for each issue whether to retain the existing zoning or to enact a different zone(s) or district(s). Generally, each issue is a single property, but an issue may cover many adjoining properties and might even cover many hundreds of acres. The zoning on all properties which were not issues is re-enacted without change.

Information: Browse the Comprehensive Zoning Map Process website or contact the Department of Planning by phone at 410-887-3211 or by email at czmp2024@baltimorecountymd.gov.

POWDER MILL INTERCEPTOR RELIEF SEWER

The Department of Public Works and Transportation has begun building more than a mile of new sanitary sewer in Lochearn. The project extends from Liberty Road at the Baltimore City line to Southern Cross Drive at Parsons Avenue. Work on the $5.7 million project began in mid-February with tree removal to permit excavation for 5,621 feet of large-diameter conduit. The project is expected to take more than a year and should be finished in the spring of 2024. The new line increases pipe capacity and will help prevent sewer overflows. It’s part of Baltimore County’s agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency to eliminate overflows and to improve an aging sanitary sewer system.

Information: Contact the Bureau of Engineering and Construction Inspection by phone at 410-887-2898.

REISTERSTOWN ROAD WATER MAIN PROJECT (DESIGNATED PHASE III)

Baltimore County is working on a major water main project, replacing 16,000 feet of line in Reisterstown Road between Pleasant Hill Road and Stocksdale Avenue. The three miles of new 16- and 20-inch diameter line is 57 percent complete and is scheduled to be finished in the spring of 2024. Crews are currently putting services across Reisterstown Road.

Information: Email engineering@baltimorecountymd.gov.

WATER LINE CONSTRUCTION ON FALLS ROAD

The Department of Public Works and Transportation is replacing more than 11,000 feet of water line on Falls Road between the Baltimore City line and Brightfield Road near Interstate 695. The project, which will cost approximately $10.5 million, is about 25 percent complete. The entire project, begun last year, will require approximately two years to complete. The replacement of the line—sections of which are more than 90 years old—will improve the reliability of the system. Much of the construction will be done between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., and ingress and egress will be coordinated with (and provided for) all property owners. Falls Road will not be closed during construction, but there will be some lane closures during the day to accommodate construction schedules. Falls Road carries about 18,000 cars daily. There will be traffic delays.

Information: Questions should be directed to the Division of Construction Contracts at 410-887-3531.

DEVELOPMENT MEETINGS AND ZONING HEARINGS

Development Meetings include Community Input, Concept Plan, County Review, Development Review Committee and Hearing Officers Hearings.

Zoning Hearings include Special Exceptions, Variances and other issues before the Office of Administrative Hearings of Baltimore County.

These meetings are virtual through Webex.

Please check the Development, Zoning Hearings and Meetings Calendar for links to the meetings, information on participating in the virtual meeting, the meeting agendas and any last-minute schedule changes.

For further information, please call the Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections at 410-887-3391 or email paizoning@baltimorecountymd.gov. You may also contact the Office of Administrative Hearings at 410-887-3868.