Marks Seeks Improved Design Standards for Loch Raven Commercial District

After conferring with community leaders Thursday night, Councilman David Marks announced plans to pursue legislation related to upping the design standards of the Loch Raven Commercial Revitalization District.

"It mainly has to do with things like landscaping, signage and dumpster placement," Marks said.

Barbara McAllister, a Hillendale resident who attended the meeting Marks hosted at Pleasant Plains Elementary School, called the area an eye sore.

"I think it's a good idea to do this," she said. "We needed this years ago."

McAllister added that the changes could intice community members to shop local and bring good businesses to the area.

"[Locals] have to go outside the area to do the things they want," said McAllister, who noted that she would like to see the district look more like the Hunt Valley Towne Centre.

Susie Watkins, another Hillendale resident, said the derelict state of the district attracts "the wrong kind of people."

"It's very unsafe," she said. "The police are really helpful. If it weren't for them, it'd be chaos."

Marks also expressed interest in breaking up the district into three smaller areas—Baynesville, Satyr Hill and Loch Raven/Hillendale.

"We want to start giving these areas stronger identities," he said.