Marks' Zoning Plan Calls for Curbing Perry Hall Development

Plan proposed by Baltimore County Councilman David Marks is expected to reduce possible increases in density and development of more than 280 acres of Perry Hall.

By Emily Kimball
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December 7, 2011

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Plan proposed by Baltimore County Councilman David Marks is expected to reduce possible increases in density and development of more than 280 acres of Perry Hall.

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Plan proposed by Baltimore County Councilman David Marks is expected to reduce possible increases in density and development of more than 280 acres of Perry Hall.

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Referring to land zoning as one of his "most important responsibilities," Baltimore County Councilman David Marks recently proposed changes to 479 acres across District 5, which spans Towson and Perry Hall.

More than half of the impacted area, about 281 acres, would be located within Perry Hall's boundaries, Marks informed Patch Tuesday afternoon.

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The plan calls for the immediate downzoning of about 72 acres with a review of 209 more. The downzoning process would reduce possible increases in density and development. Many areas that currently allow 5.5 dwelling units per acre would be reduced to 1 dwelling unit per acre, based on the plan.

Plan proposals will be factored into the county's 2012 Comprehensive Zoning Map Process, which reexamines zoning designations every four years. The County Council is scheduled to vote on the final zoning map by Sept. 16.

While downzoning can help lessen the stress on public infrastructure, including schools and roads, it also tends to lower a property's selling value and may restrict the actions of prospective home builders, home buyers, investors and business owners, according to county zoning documents.

"On the one hand, development creates jobs and expands Baltimore County's tax base, and I respect the right of property owners to make a profit by selling their land," Marks stated. "On the other hand, I am concerned about the ability of our schools and infrastructure to absorb growth, and I want to preserve the quality of life that has made Perry Hall such an appealing community."

Zoning changes to the latter 209 acres are pending discussions with community members over the next eight months.

"I will be seeking input from property owners, the planning board and the general public before making any decisions," Marks stated.

Marks previously told Patch that his downzoning plan aligns well with the goals of the Perry Hall Community Plan, approved by the county in February 2011, which he assisted in writing while serving as president of the Perry Hall Improvement Association.

Are you in support of preventing new housing developments from entering some areas of Perry Hall? Tell us in the comments.

The plan calls for the immediate downzoning of the following 72 acres:

Area	Acreage	Proposed Zoning Changes*
Undeveloped land west of Honeygo Boulevard near the Tremper Farms and Northgate Hall communities	37.1	From DR 5.5, DR 3.5 and DR 1, to all DR 1
Land north of Indian Rock Park and Ebenezer Road, between Perryvale Road and East Joppa Road, including the abandoned right-of-way for the section of Perry Hall Boulevard that was never built.	11.7	From DR 5.5 to DR 1
Forested land west of the Honeygo Village Center	12.3	From DR 10.5 to DR 1
Forested land west of the Cedarside Farms community	7.4	From DR 5.5 and DR 3.5 to DR 1
Land surrounding and including the Perry Hall Mansion on Meetinghouse Road	3.9	From DR 2 to DR 1

Additional downzoning of 209 acres, pending input from community members, includes:

Area	Acreage	Current Zoning*
Large, relatively undeveloped region between East Joppa Road and Chapel Road north of Bowline Road	69.7	DR 5.5, DR 3.5H and BL**
Land located northwest of Silver Spring Road and Honeygo Boulevard, a heavily forested property and one of the largest blocks of undeveloped land in Perry Hall	55.8	DR 5.5 and DR 3.5
Wooded property along Perry Hall Boulevard between White Marsh Boulevard and Silver Spring Road	41	DR 16, DR 10.5 and BM***
Undeveloped land near Klausmier Road and the Red Fox Farms community	10.9	DR 5.5 and DR 3.5
Forested land north of Seven Oaks Elementary School on Seven Courts Drive	8.7	DR 3.5
Undeveloped land north of Dundawan and Silvage roads	7.2	DR 2
Undeveloped land north of Gunview Farm Court off Schroeder Avenue	7.1	DR 2
Forested land east of the power lines and the Perry Hall Apartments on Joppa Road	6.3	DR 5.5
Undeveloped property south and west of Minte Drive	2.7	DR 5.5

*Density Residential (DR) zones 1-16 are defined by the number of dwelling units allowed per acre. Buildings may not be constructed more than 50 feet high in DR 1-10.5. Buildings may be constructed up to 60 feet high in DR 16.

**Business, Local (BL) zones allow for a wide variety of businesses, including retailers, personal services, banks, taverns, grocery stores and medical clinics.

***Business, Major (BM) zones allow for service garages, theaters and warehouses, in addition to businesses permitted in BL zones.

More detailed information on zoning designations is available on the Baltimore County website, the Quick View online database and the Citizen's Guide to Planning and Zoning.

Thanks. We'll email you the next time we update this story.

Leah

9:36 am on Wednesday, December 7, 2011

I hope I'm not the only one that notices that a lot of these developing options require cutting down almost all of the forested areas of Perry Hall. Why can't we have a little bit of conservation going on? We don't have room for all these new developments. I agree that, if not conserving these undeveloped lands, we should be limiting the amount of housing. The more developments you put in Perry Hall, the less demand there will be. And if you know anything about economics that means the prices of houses will drop. Urban sprawl, anyone? The schools are mostly maxed or ridiculously close to capacity and from what I understand there is not enough room in the northern Baltimore County area to build another high school. Stop developing an area that isn't ready to grow!

JCG

9:53 am on Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Mr. Marks is on "the mark" by attempting to limit development in an already "built out"
Perry Hall.

Of real concern to me is the overcrowded schools in the area as reported earlier in the "Patch". The Elementary and Middle Schools are busting at the seams. The Perry Hall High School is also overcrowded. The previous County Executive REFUSED to deal with the problem.....in fact, he thought there WAS no problem.

We need to AT LEAST set aside some land ( if there is any left ) for a high school.
The "Crossroads at 95 " would be a good area for a high school. In fact, we could build just an annex to Perry Hall HS ( which would require less acreage thus lowering the cost to build ) to be used by 9th / 10th graders . Right now, A Royal Farms store is being built at the "Crossroads". Folks, we don't need another convenience store ! WE NEED A HIGH SCHOOL !!!

Tim

10:25 am on Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Let's not forget all the awful drugstores degrading our neighborhoods.

Tim

10:24 am on Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Holy cow, and he's a Republican.
This is my kind of Republican, to be honest.

The first step in reducing overcrowding at our schools, since the County is at the mercy of the tax and spend governor to allocate funds for new schools here.

Well done good sir, and I was actually surprised you recognized me at the Parade this past weekend!

David Marks

6:48 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011

Tim, thank you very much and for obviously caring about the community we all love.

Dottie Cordwell

10:27 am on Wednesday, December 7, 2011

I know that our public infrastructure, including schools and roads are maxed out. We do need trees or we will be more prone to flooding because of the run off. As an area Realtor, I am concerned about only one home per area. Are people going to be able to afford the homes? If they do manage to buy one of these homes, which I am sure will be expensive, will they be able to continue paying the mortgage? Are we asking for more foreclosures and short sales in the area? This also brings down our property values. Just a thought.

Tim

10:32 am on Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Homes are only worth what people are willing to pay for them, Dottie.

Supply and demand. There's a good reason all these new home sites aren't "selling like hotcakes".
Your concerns are better suited for a macro/national policy level, which is where the real issues and conlfict lie, imho.

PAA

1:40 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Hmm...instead of one house per acre, how about none. Let's keep some trees. Schools and roads over crowded already. Glad to see someone in government going in the right direction, not just looking out for the interest of builders and others NOT in the community.

Beares

10:59 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011

marks is just another politician saying what we want to hear. he hasn't done anything worth while since he was elected now he is trying to bolster his image. re-election time must be coming up

Bill Howard

11:43 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011

@PAA If you want "NONE" are you willing to pay for it? That is someone else' s property. What if some decided you have too many cars or clothes? May we take them?
However, builders don't care about crouded schools and roads. The county used to have a moritorium on building when these were too full. Then money got spread around during the Ruppersberger and Smith years and builders could do as thet pleased.

Bill Howard

11:45 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011

@Bears Marks has responded and has done worthwhile and is not up for reelection in 2012.......so you sound like a fool. Try backing up what you say.

Beares

11:23 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011

I stand corrected on re-election time. Please correct me further in specifying exactly what marks has done to benefit his constituents, so that I can be further corrected

LalainMaryland

5:30 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Leah,

You do realize that down zoning means saving trees, right?

Beares

10:55 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Too little too late...Needs to be more restricte. Agriculture, farms, woods and open space need to be preserved. Schools, public services and such are over burdened. Any further housing development of any kind should be halted and reversed.

Jason Danaher

2:38 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011

I am all for this plan. My dad and i have a reat estate business in perry hall. The amount of people moving in and the infrastructure not keeping up with development has made congestion in the area. The only thing I would like to see is more stores like home depot, grocery stores. Until ace hardware opened it was a 20 min plus drive to goto loews or home depot.

David Marks

7:15 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011

I would like to thank all of the writers above, minus one, who made thoughtful, accurate, and constructive comments. The readers of Perry Hall Patch know of my love for this community and the work I have accomplished over the past year.

Christie Pulvino

8:38 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011

It is so nice to see a responsive and involved politician. So far I support your initiatives from curbing housing development, working with Kimco to secure more commercial tenants at the Perry Hall Shopping center, the Indian Rock park extension, dog park, etc. Great job Councilman Marks!

Barb

2:09 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

It is so sad Mr. Marks wasn't in office sooner to help poor Forge Road. What a nightmare! I see a future of unsold, weed-covered lots and more on the way.