Councilman’s Zoning Changes Step on County Planners’ Toes

On Tuesday, the County Council reviewed the latest round of the revised comprehensive zoning plan, this time for Districts 6 and 7. Among the list were 13 last-minute amendments added to the pile of updates by the associated councilmen. Walker alone proposed 11 amendments to District 7’s zoning changes, while Councilman Chris Trumbauer (D-District 6) had only two for his district.

But the amendments were almost unilaterally frowned on by County Planning and Zoning officials Larry Tom and Lynn Miller, who cited many of the changes as poor planning or incongruent with the county’s vision for the area.

Miller repeatedly said that she had a problem with amending the plan so late in the game. Her issue with most of items was “the lack of an ability to address it comprehensively.” She said Walker’s amendments didn’t allow for a holistic perspective.

“When you do it as a single-line amendment, we sort of lose our ability to do that,” Miller said. “And by rezoning one lot you’ve got two other single-family homes, who again, probably aren’t going to have any notice of this amendment.”

Her criticism comes less than a month after County Executive John Leopold claimed the comprehensive planning process lacked transparency. In response to these allegations, councilmen hosted an additional public meeting they called a “listening session” for Districts 6 and 7 in the hopes that the public would feel more invited to the planning process.

After Tuesday’s meeting, Walker retorted that he made no secret of what he planned on changing, alerting area leaders several days before the council met to vote on the matter.

“The community has been able to weigh in on this topic,” he said, noting the several meetings held. “In addition, I sent emails to a number of community leaders outlining the amendments I would be introducing tonight, which is unusual. In most cases, they’re introduced right up here on the dais.”

Though the council has the final word on what changes are made to the county’s comprehensive zoning plan, the majority of the proposals that end up at their feet are the product of months of scrutiny both by the county’s staff and the Planning Advisory Board. Their recommendations are passed on to the council, who then make the final say.

Trumbauer and Walker proposed a total of 13 amendments to that list, mostly consisting of commercial zoning changes. Walker, in particular, was advocating for more dense commercial zoning in several areas of his district.

Every change was reviewed and, each time, Walker would explain why the change was being proposed. Regardless of the intent, planners voiced their disapproval in all but three instances.

At the outset of the amendment review, Walker said he was ready to be finished with comprehensive zoning after months of reviewing applications and speaking with constituents.

“I’m anxious to get this ball rolling and be done with this process,” he said. “It has been very lengthy and time-consuming, and I have learned a tremendous amount.”

The first round of zoning proposals for Districts 6 and 7, with amendments included, passed by unanimous vote on Tuesday. Walker said additional amendments should be expected before a final vote in August.

The 13 amendments that were reviewed and voted on Tuesday included (see explanation of categories here):

• 534 Defense Highway in Annapolis: Rural Agricultural (RA) to Highway Commercial District (C4)
• 104 Defense Highway in Annapolis: General Commercial Districts (C3) to C4
• 1450 Snug Harbor Rd. in Shady Side: Light Industrial District (W2) to Local Commercial District (C1)
• 1052 Turkey Point Rd. in Edgewater: Light Commercial Marina District (MA2) and Open Space District (OS) to Heavy Commercial Marina District (MC)
• 1117/1131 MD Route 3 North in Gambrills: Commercial Office Districts (C2) to C4
• 1500 Defense Highway in Gambrills: Residential (R5) to Small Business District (SB)
• 605 Walnut Ave. and Charleston Avenue in Rose Haven: R5 to C1
• 1308-1311 Defense Highway in Gambrills: RA to Residential (R1)
• 4 Dental Rd. in Edgewater: Residential (R10) to C4
• 5918 Deale-Churchton Rd. and 606 Cabana Blvd. in Deale: MC to C4
• 475 Central Ave. in Davidsonville: RA to Residential Low Density (RLD)
• 6114 Leitch Lane and 420 Leitch Lane in Tracy’s Landing: Community Marina District (MA1) to MA2