Waterways Protected, Land Values Increased By Veto: Anne Arundel County Executive

Press release from Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman's Office:

County Executive Pittman Signs Region Rezoning Bill But Vetoes Parts

If upheld, vetoes will protect Lake Waterford and Magothy tributaries, and restore value to land inherited by local African American families

Annapolis, MD (July 24, 2024) - Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman signed legislation today enacting comprehensive zoning reflecting the County’s Region 4 Plan, created through the Plan2040 process. The region includes all or parts of Arnold, Cape St. Claire, Broadneck, Gibson Island, Pasadena, and Severna Park.

County Executive Pittman also announced line-item vetoes of amendments to Bill 28-24, the comprehensive zoning ordinance, impacting approximately 44 acres of land in Pasadena and Arnold. Under the County Charter, the County Executive is permitted to veto portions of a comprehensive zoning bill while approving the rest. The County Executive issued a statement reviewing his vetoes - it can be found here.

“I want to acknowledge the collaborative efforts made by our extraordinary staff at the Office of Planning and Zoning, all seven members of the County Council, and stakeholders throughout this process,” County Executive Pittman said. “All voices were heard, and this bill delivers on our commitment to greener, smarter, and more equitable land use. I feel strongly that these vetoes, the first during my time in office, will help to deliver on both green infrastructure and equity. I hope that they will be upheld.”

For Bill 28-24, the County Executive vetoed an amendment that would have upzoned 14 acres at 201 Ember Drive from residential (R1) to industrial (W2). During the Region 4 planning process, the Stakeholder Advisory Committee recommended keeping this parcel of land as residential to protect forested land located close to Lake Waterford and the Magothy River.

Also in Bill 28-24, the County Executive vetoed portions of an amendment that would have kept six parcels on Shot Town Road as residential low density (RLD) rather than residential (R1). The veto would allow for these parcels to be zoned R1 as requested by the landowners and as recommended by the County’s Office of Planning and Zoning after a staff review of the surrounding land and community.

By Charter, the County Council will have an opportunity to consider overriding the County Executive’s veto at the next Council meeting. For more information on the County’s Plan2040 process, visit www.aacounty.org/plan2040.

This press release was produced by Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman's Office. The views expressed here are the author’s own.