Last year, one of my first bills was to create a commercial revitalization district in Downtown Perry Hall, which extends along Belair Road from Blakeley Avenue to Minte Drive.   Businesses in this area can qualify for special economic incentives.  Now, I would like to address the overall appearance of Perry Hall’s downtown area.

On Monday, July 2, I introduced legislation that will hopefully lead to better design standards for new construction in the Perry Hall commercial revitalization district.  This bill would subject new projects to the Baltimore County Design Review Panel, which evaluates projects in other areas of the county.

The Design Review Panel consists of nine members knowledgeable in matters of design, including architects, landscape architects, engineers and other design professionals. The professional members are appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council. The County Executive appoints the Chair.

Commercial districts in Arbutus, Catonsville, Essex, Pikesville, and Towson are already subject to the Design Review Panel.

Existing businesses that want to modify their appearance or make minor changes will not be affected by this bill.  I am most concerned about larger areas where redevelopment will occur, such as the Butt's Hardware property, the stores across the street along the 8830 block of Belair Road, and the area east of the Double-T Diner.  

Any redevelopment projects will be with us for thirty or forty years, so let's do them right.

I would also like to implement periodic clean-ups involving local merchants to clean up the weeds and trash that have accummulated at Belair, Joppa, and Ebenezer Roads.  These improvements, along with the incentives already available through the commercial revitalization program, will enhance Downtown Perry Hall.

I will hold a meeting on Wednesday, July 11 at 5 p.m. at the Perry Hall Elementary School library to talk about these next steps in improving Downtown Perry Hall.

If you are a Patch reader who likes to make suggestions about our community, maybe you will consider attending or perhaps volunteering for the clean-up crew.  We could use your help.  Email me at dmarks@baltimorecountymd.gov if you cannot attend but still want to lend a hand.