August 1, 2023 - Council District 2

1. EPS Variances
2. Planning Board Meetings
3. Community Planning Institute Fall 2023 Application Period
4. Comprehensive Zoning Map Process 2024
5. Powder Mill Interceptor Relief Sewer
6. Reisterstown Road Water Main Project (Designated Phase III)
7. Water Line Construction on Falls Road
8. Reisterstown Road Water Main Project (Designated Phase IV)
9. 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 as follows:

• No meetings scheduled in August.

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.

COMMUNITY PLANNING INSTITUTE FALL 2023 APPLICATION PERIOD

The Community Planning Institute (CPI) will be hosting a fall session. The Department of Planning has created the CPI to empower Baltimore County community members and stakeholders to be productively engaged in planning, land use, and development processes and practices that impact their communities and neighborhoods. The Institute will consist of weekly in-person classes for five consecutive weeks.

The dates and times are: 

• Tuesday, October 17: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 24: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. 
• Wednesday, November 1: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, November 7: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, November 14: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. 

The application period will be open from Monday, August 14 to Sunday, August 27.

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

COMPREHENSIVE ZONING MAP PROCESS 2024

The Comprehensive Zoning Map Process (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 Baltimore County, although the usual participants in the process are individual landowners, contract purchasers, community organizations, County staff, the Planning Board and the County Council.

The CZMP covers a period of approximately 12 months and results in zoning decisions that are reflected in a final log of issues. Ultimately, the County Council decides on 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 that were not issues is reenacted without change.

CZMP 2024 starts with the public prefiling period that begins on Monday, August 14. Filing fees and a timeline are posted online. Additional information about the process, including hearing schedules, will be posted when available.

Information: Browse the Comprehensive Zoning Map Process website or contact the Department of Planning by phone at 410-887-3480 or by email at czmp@baltimorecountymd.gov.

POWDER MILL INTERCEPTOR RELIEF SEWER

The Department of Public Works and Transportation began building more than a mile of new sanitary sewer in Lochearn in February. 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 late winter with tree removal to permit excavation for 5,621 feet of large-diameter conduit. It's about 20 percent complete and should be finished in the spring. The new line increases pipe capacity and will help prevent sewer overflows. It’s part of Baltimore County’s agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to eliminate overflows and to improve an aging sanitary sewer system.

Information: Call the Bureau of Engineering and Construction Inspection 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 65 percent complete and is scheduled to be finished in the spring. Crews continue to install 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 43 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.

REISTERSTOWN ROAD WATER MAIN PROJECT (DESIGNATED PHASE IV)

Baltimore County is scheduled to begin work on a major water main project, replacing 8,600 linear feet of four-to-24-inch ductile-iron water main in Reisterstown Road from Interstate 695 heading south to Irving Place. The project cost is $11,920,728. The working hours will be from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., Sunday through Thursday. Expect single-lane closures with various traffic patterns throughout the duration of the project. The work is scheduled to begin this summer.

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.