Marks Suggests Down-zoning Some Properties, Seeks Public Input

If there is a motto for Councilman David Marks' approach to the 2012 rezoning process, it may be "just in case."

Marks shared his list of rezoning proposals with Patch on Wednesday. It mostly includes community parks, landmarks, churches and government property that aren't in any danger of being developed in the near future, but which Marks said he feels need to be protected.

His proposals, which look to down zone 48 acres of land and examine 58 more, join a list of public submissions into the Comprehensive Zoning Map Process. In down zoning, less density is permitted per acre. In all, Marks said he is looking at zoning changes for 200 acres throughout his district, which stretches from Towson to the Harford County line.

The filing period for the 2012 CZMP runs through Nov. 30. County planning office staff will then review the requests and make recommendations by the end of February, followed by a series of public hearings in March. The whole process, outlined on the county's website, will be completed by next November.

Marks' recommendations:

• Down zone the 27-acre lot of the former Loch Raven Elementary School from 3.5 residential units per acre to one unit per acre to discourage residential development there.
• Down zone a Baltimore City-owned property at 217 E. Burke Ave., from 16 residential units per acre to two units per acre. The .9-acre property is currently used by contractor Wachs Water Services. Marks said Aigburth Manor community leaders were concerned about what would happen if the city sold the property. Similarly, Marks suggests the 8-acre Towson Reservoir at Hillen Road and Stevenson Lane should be down zoned from 5.5 units per acre to two units per acre.
• Down zone two acres of public property along Towsontown Boulevard from 5.5 units per acre to one unit per acre, including Southland Hills Park and a forest buffer that was known as the during a controversy over plans for the Towson Swim Club.
• Down zone the two-acre park owned by Burkleigh Square Community Association from 5.5 units per acre to one unit per acre.

Marks also wants to discuss the zoning for several other properties, including: 

• Towson Commons
• A 5-acre parcel owned by the St. Andrew's Episcopal Church and an adjacent 39-acre site owned by Baltimore City, which are currently zoned for 16 residential units per acre.
• Various properties, about 4.4 acres in total, in Hillendale Park, between Taylor Avenue and Clearwood Road, that are now zoned for 5.5 units per acre.
• Ridgeleigh Park, located on Oakleigh Road, now zoned for 5.5 units per acre.