Proposed legislation could limit non-residential development on rural Baltimore County land — affecting about two thirds of the county.
Baltimore County Councilman Bryan McIntire introduced legislation this week limiting most nonresidential development on land for “resource conservation” to a 5 percent footprint. For example, new buildings, parking lots and sidewalks could not cover more than five acres of a 100-acre site.
McIntire, a Republican whose large district encompasses the county’s northern half, said the goal is to limit runoff. Area preservationists said they have been encouraging the legislation since last January. Five of the county’s 12 resource conservation zones will be exempt under McIntire’s proposal, said Richard Klein, an anti-sprawl activist. Some of those categories have development restrictions more stringent than those proposed by McIntire, he said.
“The bill will greatly reduce water quality degradation, excessive traffic volume on narrow country roads, and the loss of rural views,” Klein said. “It still allows schools, churches, country clubs, retreat centers, and other nonresidential development, but places a reasonable limit on the size of these uses.”
The proposal is scheduled to come before the council for discussion Oct. 28. A vote will take place Nov. 3.
