Peter Max Zimmerman, people’s counsel for Baltimore County who specialized in zoning issues, died of pancreatic cancer July 15 at a friend’s home in Midland, Michigan. The Towson resident was 77.
Born in New York City, he was the son of Dr. Louis Zimmerman, a physician, and Helen Helfstein, a homemaker.
A 1965 graduate of the Horace Mann School in New York City, he earned a degree at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He received a law degree from Harvard University.
Mr. Zimmerman was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1972.
He became deputy people’s counsel with Baltimore County in 1978 and held the post until 1993 when he was named people’s counsel.
According to a Sun story when he assumed the post, the office was created “by the voters in 1974 to help defend them and county zoning maps, and to be a public advocate in zoning and development disputes.”
Arnold Jablon, former Baltimore County director of Permits, Approvals and Inspections, said: “Peter was one of the brightest people I ever met. He drove a lot of people crazy only because he took his job seriously. He made people angry and he stood his course.
“We disagreed, especially in politics. He read vociferously and was a tremendous writer. He could drive opposing lawyers and witnesses nuts. He could ask a question in court over and over again. I loved his dedication.”
Attorney Howard Alderman said Mr. Zimmerman reviewed decisions issued by the administrative law judge, formerly the Hearing Office and Zoning commissioner.
“Peter and his office would represent community associations and private citizens that were unhappy with or believed to be adversely affected by one of those decisions,” Mr. Alderman said. “Peter’s analysis always included application of the law and regulations and compliance with the Baltimore County Master Plan.”
Mr. Alderman said one of Mr. Zimmerman’s premier cases was the old Langenfelder property, behind the Lassahn Funeral Home on Belair Road in Kingsville. A developer sought to amend its plan for additional homes closer to Belair Road.
“Peter successfully defended the Baltimore County Planning Board’s determination that the amendment conflicted with the Master Plan as it would have affected the scenic quality and view of the Langenfelder home, a Kingsville landmark,” Mr. Alderman said.
“Peter was a consummate writer and often inserted literary references in his briefs to the court from works such as ‘Alice in Wonderland,’ ‘Catch-22‘ and ‘Animal Farm,'” Mr. Alderman said. “His legal reasoning was well-thought-out, and he always presented his position in true gentlemanly fashion. He loved to discuss the nuances of the law. … ”
“Peter exhibited the qualities that should be demanded of all attorneys. We could argue our positions before a judge one day and meet for lunch the next to discuss sports, travel, politics and, occasionally, the law,” Mr. Alderman said. “Peter and his dry sense of humor will be missed.”
In a 2000 Sun story referring to zoning issues, Mr. Zimmerman said, “We want to see that everyone feels that they’ve gotten a fair shake.”
Mr. Zimmerman also taught at the Johns Hopkins University and Towson University.
He was a sports fan who attended many Swarthmore soccer games and served on the college’s Hall of Fame nominating committee. He attended many of the college’s soccer games.” ]”]
“He loved sports playoffs and the statistics of the process of elimination,” said his friend and caregiver,” Marta Smith. “He would discuss them at length to the point that his friends started yawning.”
Mr. Zimmerman enjoyed soccer and tennis, and was a Terps fan and a voracious reader who loved fine dining.
“For 50 years he ate all his meals out,” Ms. Smith said. “His all-time favorite was Tio Pepe’s for big occasions. He also liked the Peppermill and the Prime Rib. He could be very particular. He had to have honey and lemon for his tea. He liked lots of ice too. He liked rare meats and was very exacting about his foods and their taste. It could be embarrassing at times, but he kept doing it.”
Survivors include his sister, Mindy Zimmerman Colton, of Orlando, Florida; a friend, Felix Jacobs, of Short Hills, New Jersey; and friend, companion and caregiver, Marta Smith, of Midland, Michigan.
No service is planned.
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