County council weights bill to boost ?downtown design?

Members of the Baltimore County Council are considering expanding a Towson district with relaxed building height and setback requirements, a move they said would boost the county seat?s “downtown” appeal.

Councilman Vince Gardina is sponsoring legislation that would expand the Towson commercial core district to include an area bound by Joppa Road, First Street, Ware Avenue and Washington Avenue, allowing developers of property there to request exemptions to rules restricting building heights and distance to the street. The proposal is slated for discussion at the council?s work session this afternoon.