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Two Council proposals take aim at the ‘infill’ development
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BALTIMORE (Map, News) - To curb new development being squeezed into established neighborhoods, Council Chairwoman Courtney Watson is pushing a measure that would preserve certain small residential lots and direct development to more dense areas.
Under Watson’s proposal, landowners could sell the right to build to a developer on lots smaller than 2 acres. The developer, in turn, could use that development right for a more dense project.
For example, some 2-acre lots on Old Washington Road in Elkridge can be divided, with half of the lot being sold for new houses. But residents opposed to developing that property can sell the rights instead, making money and preserving the land. The developer can use those rights to add a couple apartments to a complex in another area.
“It’s allowing flexibility, and hopefully out of it we get more compatibility,” said Watson, D-District 1.
The proposal takes aim at so-called “infill” development, which opponents say damages the character of a neighborhood.
Watson’s measure, which is a zoning regulation amendment before the Planning Board, would create a new density-exchange process in the eastern part of the county much like one in the rural west. There, landowners can transfer the right to build to another lot, thus preserving a larger portion of land and clustering the development.
“Property owners [would] have an option to realize some financial returns on the value of their properties without having to actually subdivide and develop the land,” according to the Department of Planning and Zoning staff report.
Watson said she doesn’t expect the option to have a major effect on the density of one area and it won’t increase the total number of houses built.
Watson’s plan is accompanied by County Executive Ken Ulman’s second zoning change that outlines density requirements.
He also is proposing amendments to the subdivision and land development regulations, addressing issues such as storm-water management, landscaping requirements and open space.
“I think the citizens of Howard County feel, as I do, there is a real issue with infill development that can threaten the quality of life in existing neighborhoods,” Ulman said.
smichael@baltimoreexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
8:13 AM MST on Fri., May. 9, 2008 re: "Howard land-use group releases recommendations to involve public"
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11:25 AM MST on Fri., Feb. 22, 2008
re: "Two Council proposals take aim at the ‘infill’ development"
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Examiner Reader said:
This task force was heavily skewed toward the land development community.
5 agree | 2 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
We are an extremly confused nation. We are not creating new urban areas, we are growing by about 2 million people a year, we want affordable housing, we want long time resident to never have to move, we don't want change or more density with 'infill', we want continued mass immigration -- often the same people and political parties are for all these things.
74 agree | 68 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I can't believe Ulman would waste over $7 million by abandoning plans, while at the same time giving his donor buddy a sweetheart lease with County funds. Wait a minute - I can believe it because Ulman is a deceptive arrogant jerk who slanders Mary Kay Sigaty to steal an election.
85 agree | 86 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
"Traffic engineers wouldn’t stay in business if they used false assumptions or data" Why not? Politicians stay in business when they use false data on their resumes. "Secretary of the Cabinet" anyone?
87 agree | 91 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Any protests to traffic conditions, etc., under Howard County's new administration will be ignored. What Mr. Ulman wants, Mr. Ulman will get. Remember this the next time you go to the polls.
88 agree | 81 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Doesn't a contributor to Ulman own the building where Ulman wants to sign an overpriced lease? But, just because someone fakes their resume to get elected, doesn't mean they will continue their dishonesty once in office...
108 agree | 105 disagree
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