Council Eases Development Process, Accepts 1,000 Bags of Pet Food

At its Monday night meeting, the Baltimore County Council eased an approval process for developers, agreed to push for transit-oriented projects and accepted a donation of 1,000 pounds of pet food for an animal shelter.

The most far-reaching action by the council centered on an ordinance that will now give developers six months to submit plans under the county's new Planned Unit Development guidelines.

The council on Monday unanimously approved the measure sponsored by council Chairman John A. Olszewski Sr. and three others. The bill doubles the time from 90 to 180 days that developers have to submit a concept plan. 

The clock on submitting such a plan starts running once the council adopts a resolution allowing for the continued review of the proposed project.

Olszewski said the extension gives developers an opportunity to complete the approval process for state and federal housing credits, which can take up to six months. Olszewski called it "a timing issue."

"If they don't get them then it's a waste of the developer's and county's time," said Olszewski during a March 15 council work session.

The law is designed to foster greater creativity and design in development in return for more flexible land use and zoning regulations.

The new law, once signed by County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, takes effect in May.

The new law would likely affect the Greens at Logan Field project proposed for the Logan Village Shopping Center located at 3455 Dundalk Ave., said Olszewski.

The council unanimously approved the departmental review of the project.

Enterprise Housing Corporation plans to build 81 senior housing units on more than three acres of land in Dundalk.

The council also unanimously passed:

• A resolution calling on the Planning Board to review county laws and development regulations as they relate to transit-oriented development. The resolution asks the board to review the regulations and make recommendations on possible changes that would take advantage of the state's Transit Oriented Development Program, which can provide state financing for public infrastructure.
• The council also unanimously approved the donation of more than 1,000 bags of brand-name dog and cat food from Sam's Club stores in Catonsville and Reisterstown. The pet food, which will expire in fall 2012, is valued at $22,497. It will be used to feed animals housed at the county's animal shelter in Baldwin. Each year the shelter takes in more the 7,000 animals.