Council Changes Development Law, Reinstates Controversial Project

A controversial Catonsville development that was revoked earlier this year appears to be back on track after a Baltimore County Council vote.

The council voted 6-1 Tuesday night to change the laws governing Planned Unit Developments, and when a council member c

Councilman Tom Quirk was the lone vote against the bill, which was introduced after he became the first council member to revoke a previously approved plan for a three acre property on Thistle Road in Catonsville.

The bill, sponsored by Councilman John A. Olszewski Sr. and Ken Oliver, gives an incoming council member 60 days from being sworn in to introduce a resolution to review a previously approved PUD project. A council member would be required to give public notice of the review and allow for public comment.

An amendment proposed by Republican Councilman David Marks, and approved by the council, requires a community input meeting for a new Planned Unit Development before a council member introduces a resolution to approve a project. The amendment also requires that a council member receive agency comments on a project before a resolution is introduced.

Quirk voted for the amendments but said he did not support a bill that would essentially "revoke my revocation."

PUDs provides more flexible zoning regulations for mixed-use projects than what would normally be allowed in return for specific community benefits. They require a resolution of approval before a plan can proceed.

The Thistle Road project was approved last year by Councilman Sam Moxley prior to the 2010 election. Moxley retired and Quirk, who succeeded him, moved to revoke the previous approval.