Rules on Open Space Change with Controversial Vote
The old rules allowed for an ice skating rink on open space, but not baseball fields.
The way open space in Anne Arundel County is treated will change after new rules were approved Monday night by the County Council, amid jeers from the audience. The sponsor of the open space bill, Councilman Jamie Benoit (D-4th District) of Crownsville, argued that the current rules governing open space in the county don’t make sense. After years of changes, Benoit said the rules had become a patchwork that allow for some uses but not others. Under the old rules, one could build an ice skating rink or a county wastewater treatment facility on open space—but not a baseball field. Golf was the only permitted activity on grass. "Our code as it's currently drafted creates these crazy results," Benoit said during a hearing in March. "You can …
In this Article:
H.F. Trampolini
2:55 pm on Sunday, May 13, 2012
This legislation effects 34,000 acres of open space. These areas are usually environmentally sensitive, or set aside in lieu of concentrating development, such as residential clusters. The legislation enables 20% of land, formerly set aside, to be developed for structures and parking. That is a total of 6800 acres. Larry Tom, head of Planning and Zoning, agreed code needed to be updated and … more ›