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Politics & Government

Leopold May Veto Portions of South County Rezoning Bill

The county executive may take aim at the comprehensive rezoning bill for Districts 6 and 7.

County Executive John Leopold may veto portions of the newest comprehensive rezoning package for County Council Districts 6 and 7, a spokesman said Friday.

The comprehensive rezoning package for those districts comprises 46 separate amendments, all dealing with areas in Annapolis and south county. The overarching theme of the rezoning package would make portions of District 7 more available for commercial development. The majority of the district is zoned residential-agricultural.

Monday night’s session of the council will bring the final vote for the measure, but Leopold’s spokesman David Abrams has said some amendments would be outright rejected by Leopold.

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“County Executive Leopold has been consistent that his goal is to keep south county rural,” Abrams said. “He is likely to veto any measure that constitutes spot zoning or violates the principles of the general development plan.”

He also noted that Leopold had vetoed four amendments in the comprehensive rezoning package for Districts 1 and 4, which was approved in May.

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Regardless of the outcome, the bill must be approved before Aug. 18, or it will expire and the council must start the process over.

During the council's recent meetings, Planning and Zoning Director Larry Tom took exception to the majority of District 7 Councilman Jerry Walker’s proposed amendments, saying they undermined the county’s own plans.

Tom warned the council not to be so hasty on the commercial zoning trigger. He said these last-minute additions by council members created chaos for planners, particularly when they go against the grain of the general and small area plans for the associated areas.

“When you choose to ignore those plans, you’re really saying to the community that you’re willing to take a risk,” he said. “I have a lot of concerns about the proliferation of commercial property.”

To view Bill 44-11 in its entirety, visit the council's website.

The council will meet at 7 p.m. Monday night in their chambers at 44 Calvert St. in Annapolis.

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