County Executive withdraws controversial mixed-use development bill

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski has withdrawn a controversial bill that would drastically change the approval process for building mixed-use developments.

Mixed-use developments combine multiple uses like housing and retail onto one property. It can also include things like community spaces, libraries, entertainment venues and restaurants. Currently, a mixed-use project in Baltimore County needs to go through the Planned Unit Development (PUD) process. To proceed, a PUD needs to provide a substantial benefit to the public, and the County Council ultimately votes to approve or deny it.

Olszewski’s proposal would have allowed mixed-use developments in certain areas called “retrofit nodes,” which are places like shopping centers and storefronts along major roads.

Most of Dundalk Avenue is included in one node. There is a small node on Merritt Avenue near Dundalk Middle School. Another node is located around the intersection of Merritt Boulevard with Holabird/Wise Avenue, and a fourth node covers the area around Eastpoint Mall.

The Master Plan 2030 defines the locations of these nodes. The mixed-use development bill and the Master Plan were separate pieces of legislation, but closely related. On Tuesday, Olszewski and County Council President Izzy Patoka announced an agreement to introduce new mixed-use legislation in a few weeks. Essentially, the issue of mixed-use zoning was tabled in order to finish the long-overdue Master Plan process.

After multiple delays and failed votes, the Master Plan 2030 was adopted by the County Council Tuesday night by a vote of 6-1. District 7 Councilman Todd Crandell voted against the plan, criticizing the legislative maneuvering of the Olszewski and Patoka.

“Either we extend the bill that is complete dog, that was dead on arrival,” Crandell said. “Or we extend the conversation that so many people throughout Baltimore County, including your own constituents, cannot stand and are completely against.”

Opponents of the mixed-use legislation say that it would leave the decision to approve or reject a proposed development to unelected officials like the Planning Board. Council members did not have a say in creating the “retrofit node” areas, and they would not be able to vote against developments in their own neighborhood.