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The 2012 Comprehensive
Zoning Map (CZMP) Log of Issues for the 6th Councilmanic District has
been made public. Middle River properties are included, and members
of the Essex Middle River Civic Council (EMRCC) don't like what they
see. In a position paper, they stated, "If and when these zoning issues
are approved and other properties are developed, the Middle River area
will face changes of a magnitude not seen since the development occurring
in the World War II era." The Middle River Redevelopment area as listed
in the County 2020 Master Plan comprises White Marsh Mall, Route 7,
Essex Community College/Franklin Square, Pulaski Highway, Route 43,
the Lafarge Quarry, Martin State Airport, Kelso Drive/Golden Ring and
Red Lion Road. About 1,000 acres out of 10,000 are under consideration
for serious growth in number of structures and human habitation. EMRCC
members are concerned about zoning changes being proposed while an overall
plan for the area as presented in the 2020 Master Plan has not been
discussed at public meetings. Concerned as well about the negative impact
the proposed changes will have on infrastructure, they have asked Andrea
Van Arsdale, Director of Planning, to hold off on any zoning changes
"until and unless the Middle River Development Plan as outlined in County
Council Resolution 10-09 and in the County Master Plan has been completed."
Reasons for EMRCC's reluctance to approve additional development are
many: Route 43 is not yet fully built out; current buildings there are
not fully occupied and area businesses are struggling because of the
recession. Funding, which would be needed for infrastructure to accommodate
additional density, is not available. Impact of the proposed changes
would be severe for roads, traffic, sewer, water, storm drains, schools,
police and fire protection, electrical grid waterways and bay pollution,
according to EMRCC members. One of the largest land issues under consideration
is the 434.37-acre Lafarge Quarry property, 633 Earls Road. The owners
are keeping the changes they want secret by leaving the requested zoning
slot the same as the existing zoning one. This enables them to surprise
local residents of their true intentions at a thus-far unknown time
during the CZMP process. Allen Robertson is concerned improper development
of the fragile area would lead to flooding of surrounding property.
Hawkins Manor, LLC, 9720 Bird River Road, requests upzoning of 48.67
acres of which 44 are DR 3.5 (Residential Density 3.5 houses per acre)
to 10.5, which would allow townhouses in the middle of surrounding single
family homes and more than double the existing housing density. Tito
Realty, LLC, west side of Reames Road north of Bird River Road, would
like 75 acres of DR 3.5 to become 10.5. Weber Avenue, LLC is requesting
53 acres currently divided between DR 2 (two houses per acre) and 3.5
to be upzoned to DR 5.5, single family homes. Because the Weber Avenue
property is on the water between Middle River and Hopkins Creek, the
EMRCC has asked about turning it into a county park The Baltimore County
Department of Planning seeks downzoning of more than 25 acres in the
6th Council District, to make them more environmentally friendly. The
Baltimore County Planning Board, on the other hand, is playing its cards
close to the vest about 293 acres on the north side of Ebenezer Road
east of Windlass Run. The Board has put in a request for change but
will not reveal the future hoped-for change. To view the entire 6th
District Log of Issues, Google the Baltimore County Government Home
Page and put in CZMP Log of Issues, 6th District. To review the Proposed
Middle River Redevelopment Area Plan, go to the Baltimore County Government
Home Page and key in Master Plan 2020. The first public hearing and
opportunity for public comment on these issues is Thursday, March 22
at Overlea High. Signup time for speaking is 6 p.m. The meeting starts
at 7 p.m.
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