There's so much traffic along 43 and Honeygo Blvd....so go ahead and build more, build, build, build. WTF

Clearly, you missed the point of this article ... the new zoning classification would "prohibit nearly all future development in those areas," (see last sentence of the first paragraph). Thus, there wouldn't be anything built on these parcels ... isn't that what you want???

This is great for this area. There is too much congestion and too much traffic speeding way too fast, especially on Ebenezer. Preserving this space is critical for livability and value of this part of the Perry Hall community. I think this is a very smart decision.

Good job, Councilman Marks.

Great job Councilman Marks!

Great job Councilman Marks! Thank you a hundred times over for protecting open space. We are tired of banks and fastfood joints paving the planet.

I also think this is great. BUT it would be nice to us some of this space to build a new high school since perry hall was named the 7th most crowded in the United
States. That is a priority!

Agree Susan....Where will a High School be built ???

This is all pointless how can you “prohibit development in those areas” when it was never allowed to begin with.

From Mr. Marks himself
Northgate Hall Association owns 18.9 acres of open space that was deeded to the H.O.A. by the original developer. Under the terms of the deed that land cannot be developed, but is deeded for the exclusive use of the H.O.A. members, subject to rules and regulations established by the H.O.A. Board of Directors.
However all “common areas” owned by all local H.O.A.s have zoning designations that are not appropriate for these areas. Many have zoning that are associated with development even though there is no development potential.

Yea for the HS - Then we could turn the HS property into a giant sports complex like Blandair in Columbia and then turn Honeygo back into woods

You seem to have the residents' best interests at heart, Councilman Marks. Thank you!! I'm glad it won't get MORE dangerous to try to get out of the Joppa View Elem. lot anytime soon.

And there's no reason for nameless cowardice here... If you're going to curse your neighbor, do it privately.

To those concerned about a new high school: I have fought for more than a decade for a new school. Ten years ago, when the economy has stronger and the county was flush with money, the county should have bought the land. My rezoning decisions will at least lighten the impact of future development until the county can afford the $60 million cost of a new school.

Fed Up - with all due respect, even anonymous commenters should know their facts. There is a different Mr. Marks involved in the homeowners association.

As far as the value of Neighborhood Commons legislation, with homeowners associations often collapsing, the purpose of the bill was to add another level of protection so open space can not be developed.

With all due respect I am aware of the other Mr. Marks and to be fair I’ll just post the entire letter.

From: David Marks Baltimore County Councilman Fifth District
About Those Zoning Change Letters
Recently, members of the Northgate Hall Homeowners Association (H.O.A.) received letters from Baltimore County concerning area zoning changes.
Every property in Baltimore County has a zoning designation that includes schools, libraries, parks, and even “common areas” owned by the local Homeowners Association.
Northgate Hall Association owns 18.9 acres of open space that was deeded to the H.O.A. by the original developer. Under the terms of the deed that land cannot be developed, but is deeded for the exclusive use of the H.O.A. members, subject to rules and regulations established by the H.O.A. Board of Directors.
However all “common areas” owned by all local H.O.A.s have zoning designations that are not appropriate for these areas. Many have zoning that are associated with development even though there is no development potential.
To correct this situation, I have proposed a new zoning designation that would preserve H.O.A. “open spaces” in Baltimore County neighborhoods.
During the present re-zoning process, a new “Neighborhood Common Overlay District” that would preserve the “open spaces” concept and would prohibit development in H.O.A. common areas that are reserved for that purpose.

This new zoning classification would be known as NC-DR1. Neighborhood common designation under the proposed legislation members of an H.O.A. are notified of a potential zoning change. That is why you may have received a letter from Baltimore County concerning such a change.
The Comprehensive Zoning Maps Process is presently underway; and throughout the fifth district, I have proposed lowering the development potential of about 480 acres in my councilmanic district.
This legislation is a big plus in providing even more certainty to Northgate Hall as it will protect valuable open space.
Should anyone have any questions about any county issue, please call me at (410) 887-3384 or email me at DMARKS@baltimorecountymd.gov.
Sincerely,
David Marks

It is ''great'' seeing how are tax money goes to help developers attract homebuyers. The message is crystal clear. Older neighbors will be left to decay with no consideration from the government to add amenities like parks and green spaces. All public money will go to new areas to make them more attractive for the developers.
County went so far as to deprive ''old'' Perry Hall of a library. After years of promising a larger library, new library was built just minutes from White Marsh Library to add convenience to new homebuyers of two close-by large libraries.
Please tell me about one planned project between Joppa Road and Chapel Road funded by taxpaper money that is designed simply to enhance life of the residents to the same caliber and extent as all the projects in the new Honeygo area. There should be an investigation as to why all funds are being channeled to this area.

Another great job by Marks. We need more like you. To *&%^ with the naysayers.

This seems very redundant. Its stated that it can not be developed, so who cares what the zoning is. While redundancy is good (in some cases), this just seems like a waste of time/my money.

My problem with this new government ploy to confiscae private property is just that, On the whim of a government employee, in this case a councilperson, a private property owner can lose all of the valuie in his/her property. If the property owner had to agree to this designation this would an entirely different situation. I am surprised to see the number of infromed people who think this is a good idea. The end does not justify the means in this case.
Wmlsr

We need to slow the developments in Perry Hall. I have been here for 22 years and this place is way different then what it used to be. Higher crime, more reckless driving, over crowding, faster roads, more red lights, more traffic, ect. It has to stop somewhere. My greatest anger was when Honeygo Blvd. became the highspeed Honeygo exit road for Harford County residents to go to work and get home. Its time to end the developments. If you own a few acres and missed out on the massive development phase... oh well! Can't always be a winner.

UPDATE (June 19)—See Perry Hall's proposed open space, in photos - http://patch.com/A-vv2q
Does open space classification needlessly devalue land, or does it provide a worthwhile community benefit? Tell us in the comments.