[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6302563,"mediaKeyId","2477450-9c40b1d830d9b37cf9249a1629cdd176","parentId",2477450,"title","Bel Air accepts updated bicycle and pedestrian plan to guide decade of improvements","audioSeconds",246,"startMs",7262000,"endMs",7508000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477450-9c40b1d830d9b37cf9249a1629cdd176&start=7262&end=7508","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477450-9c40b1d830d9b37cf9249a1629cdd176/thumbnail_7262000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6302563/Bel-Air/Harford-County/Maryland/Bel-Air-accepts-updated-bicycle-and-pedestrian-plan-to-guide-decade-of-improvements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6302563-db0cfc238966d2c284ba9d14d5c4be9b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771220941&Signature=Ih2bfbb~K07iik0eOemCMqniKpjlOV3xZcJrArDMH4QsBbbxz3mOjtwwh6x4f4QgVX9VrpxW786qeme2ruzU5HbHDO0bl-2EizjEzjetkrbyLJpMe4mgxptyDDDV7cw01ShWUz4d-0Qd5RarlA90IGblSfi6T8rMytB5kzMSjxJlhNCVVhSLChhZqVjduREwCGBHDSHddZ7EPBqMv8n8Qn-pLI19hhZOeLUNaokORpuU0IhRKG-l1-MmcZ9T1T-qhib-MIsJKj3QDOAxNY-fnGdSLmQKC~HgNXdCe22F2P-3Z2cHYl4WFARa9EColvVVCM94QELcl~WZMqmMcPxJnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-04T02:27:40Z","article","The Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners on March 3 accepted the town's 2025 Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, a multi‑year working document intended to expand and improve walking and bicycling connections.

Laura Thompson, planning staff, told the board the update builds on the town's 2022 comprehensive plan and a 2013 bicycle/pedestrian plan. Staff held an open house, solicited feedback at the farmers market, and ran an online survey; the plan's action list reflects the public input, Thompson said.

Commissioner Taylor praised the work and recommended residents read the plan, calling it \"an excellent plan, and reflects really the concerns of folks who wanna be able to walk in Downtown Bel Air and ride their bike\". The board voted unanimously to accept Resolution 12-47-25, which places the plan in town records and makes it available to guide future transportation and capital decisions.

Staff described the document as a living work program that will help the town prioritize pedestrian and bicycling projects and coordinate with county transit and roadwork.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","03/03/2025 Board of Town Commissioners Town Hall Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The board accepted the town's 2025 Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan on March 3 after staff described outreach, objectives and an action item list to expand walking and biking infrastructure.","taxTitle","Bel Air, Harford County, Maryland","taxId",54308,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6302567,"Bel Air receives proposal to raise Armory rental rates; public hearing set for March 17",134,7068000,7202000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477450-9c40b1d830d9b37cf9249a1629cdd176&start=7068&end=7202","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477450-9c40b1d830d9b37cf9249a1629cdd176/thumbnail_7068000.jpg","/articles/6302567/Bel-Air/Harford-County/Maryland/Bel-Air-receives-proposal-to-raise-Armory-rental-rates-public-hearing-set-for-March-17","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6302567-92ada16c2f5e6bb984a167a2f9dfe38f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771220941&Signature=Gl5bgp1Qqc8jzITIvcB99RD~vYiY601P9qnL9R-8P8RIFRMHFfbdF7D6E-reN~q~XtmbXXjZ6FCNagJ2HtBNlCPuEduAIHbHVdAxgeng8tEIPq7sKp98JQ7DJmj8B-HRXmcVaYSc03gAxutoDP8q2Vx72aydN6qp3oSSSMlqEtRUdtj0mb4A1YPuCsJYqAFKUykoUidcWp0scX7bQ9kid2CnJN0jI5maK8LhM0MLDmkjvCYuPZ-WPNvkkludxNMkIzmrzSqQkp~scMe85NJTf-pxjXNPnDc689Se9vBn0zTIakVHTTxjmPr04HRuEFSlYIEuHgcdPx5P8Nm7Yxp72A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners on March 3 received a staff proposal to raise hourly rental rates for the Bel Air Armory. Town staff recommended increasing individual and business hourly lease rates by $10 and aligning the Wednesday‑before‑Thanksgiving rate with the Thursday–Sunday rate.

Mr. Krantz presented the proposal and said staff recommends receipt of Resolution 12-46-25 and a public hearing on March 17. Commissioner Chance moved receipt of the resolution; Commissioner Taylor seconded. The board voted unanimously to receive the resolution and set a public hearing for the March 17 meeting.

The proposed change would raise Monday–Thursday individual/business hourly rates from $75 to $85 and Thursday–Sunday from $150 to $160; the Wednesday‑before‑Thanksgiving hourly rate would be set to $160 for all lessees. Staff said the hourly rate includes a six‑hour minimum for that busy day. The proposal will be taken up for public comment at the scheduled hearing.","The Board received Resolution 12-46-25, a staff proposal to increase hourly Armory rental rates by $10; the board voted to receive the resolution and scheduled a public hearing for March 17.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6302573,"Bel Air recognizes bartender for life‑saving Heimlich maneuver",118,383000,501000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477450-9c40b1d830d9b37cf9249a1629cdd176&start=383&end=501","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477450-9c40b1d830d9b37cf9249a1629cdd176/thumbnail_383000.jpg","/articles/6302573/Bel-Air/Harford-County/Maryland/Bel-Air-recognizes-bartender-for-lifesaving-Heimlich-maneuver","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6302573-e9e594589f44e6753f6ad50461a79fe2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771220941&Signature=SOEgeLy6NwV0zlV1zp9EvL-54kbfmq3d09YsumFENOtl4zpQpFwGHHrzZ6YNMvQbGf-ct2jM3lW1t-eZvk5y8oA425A2IkH-RVF-bbgQ5vi5cVzV8fmDihdi66iQAd5IMz8cIzjCYPhxLKGlX8wmhjrFDQ7y8gRACQjYbz8Fbt5soVPmzBSH~V6xfmyf7q2VF2qH1PQgpbFfGDRmGRhLkS5Jx18vuTAh~M5wPv99r~uWbxKlidpKzFGwbCq8CHwKbpSkdfC0etkVdy6AZLMS2Ea6crLkV8H4L7kbTrRI68MXgVmPMvVtHjVVgUX~G6SVvUoCX~1MQcyNjcxZYSr2Jg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its March 3 meeting the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners presented a certificate of recognition to Dylan France, an employee of Sean Boland's Irish Pub, for performing life‑saving first aid after a patron began choking in January.

Mayor Eddings read the incident summary into the record: Harford County 911 received a report of a subject choking at Sean Boland's Irish Pub on Main Street. \"Within seconds, Sean Boland's employee and bartender, Dylan France...applied the Heimlich maneuver, causing the object to become dislodged from the man's airway and the victim quickly regained his ability to breathe,\" she said. The mayor added that \"without any fanfare, Mr. France went back to work.\"

The board presented a certificate and publicly thanked France for his actions. The recognition emphasized the importance of basic life‑saving training for citizens and businesses; no formal action beyond the presentation was required.","The Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners presented a certificate of recognition March 3 to bartender Dylan France for performing the Heimlich maneuver and saving a patron's life.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6302577,"Bel Air adopts new mixed‑use and density rules after months of debate",6352,670000,7022000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477450-9c40b1d830d9b37cf9249a1629cdd176&start=670&end=7022","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477450-9c40b1d830d9b37cf9249a1629cdd176/thumbnail_670000.jpg","/articles/6302577/Bel-Air/Harford-County/Maryland/Bel-Air-adopts-new-mixeduse-and-density-rules-after-months-of-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6302577-a6e2c0dbf82edc4965ebe01f807fca3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771220941&Signature=oejeKXk74Hz0KmJXFaIH2QNGI7wZRJxsUz23AOJMM2DFn~AIjoO9CaE9TNjYyY-39OJ73KRPqmOymybvZUQKMbHyh8luMBuW~GLDYG5~xxwji~BGeVrTlX0uXvTHpvHA23490Sao50cgfCe7-khofNnT89qxF1POG00kiCr~h47rNQrTD4MQAKwHf0HWzBi2vCDFpUfgALLaBZ4Vp-zYtaNtj~9~wzXunY1Ywg5biBpHhlLAFzuYxyQKkAaOt1jm68tuP1RjQC3U3QaNBN596Vda3ML7FHaL-CYVUJL9QOa3Rm3GEKLkxIXAqiyPjgNgRCtFE3AaI6H3ZkO3kgq21g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners on March 3 approved two changes to the town's development code, adopting Ordinance 8-39-25 to refine mixed‑use center rules and Ordinance 8-40-25 to set density limits. The votes followed a public hearing that generated more than two hours of testimony from business owners, developers and residents.

The ordinances amend Chapter 165 of the Bel Air Town Code. Ordinance 8-39-25 adds language giving the planning commission new authority to require public improvements before occupancy permits and modifies the mixed‑use threshold language; the board amended the draft to set a 40% guideline tied to the underlying land‑use designation for certain mixed‑use projects. Ordinance 8-40-25 establishes density limits in multiple zoning districts and updates lot requirement tables and related code text.

Supporters who testified said the changes provide regulatory clarity and help sustain downtown businesses by guiding where residential and commercial uses should locate. \"These projects will locate elsewhere in the county, and the town will see no tax benefit,\" said Chris Street, a Main Street property owner and chair of the Economic and Community Development Commission, arguing that restrictive thresholds could push development out of town. Jenny Earhart, executive director of the Bel Air Downtown Alliance, said residential projects bring customers to small businesses and urged the board to avoid unpredictable rule changes.

Opponents warned of stretched infrastructure and loss of commercial space. Gavin Hanley, a resident, said parking, schools and emergency services were already under pressure and argued that \"allowing mixed use residential to go beyond 50 ... undermines the designated land use and fails to consider quality of life for existing citizenry.\" Several commenters pressed the board not to retroactively alter approvals for projects that had relied on prior rules.

Commissioner Thomas Rutledge framed his vote around property rights and fairness, telling colleagues that \"equity does not reward those who sleep on their rights,\" and saying he would vote for the ordinances after weighing notice to property owners and public input. Mayor Eddings made a point of distinguishing legislative change from past approvals: \"To be clear, we are not rescinding any approvals. We are not terminating any agreements,\" she said at the meeting.

Procedural history and votes: Ordinance 8-39-25 was moved by Commissioner Chismar, seconded by the chair; the board approved two amendments (adding the word \"harmony\" to compatibility language and authorizing the planning commission to require public improvements before occupancy) unanimously, then adopted a separate amendment changing the planned threshold from 35% to 40% (motion carried; Rutledge and Chance split on that amendment). The final vote to approve Ordinance 8-39-25 as amended was 4–1 in favor: Rutledge aye, Chismar aye, Taylor aye, Chance nay, Chair Eddings aye. Ordinance 8-40-25 (density limits and table corrections) passed later the same evening on a 4–1 vote: Rutledge aye, Chismar aye, Taylor aye, Chance no, Chair Eddings aye.

The board rejected making a special legislative 'carve‑out' exempting specific pending projects from the new rules. Commissioners who supported that position said they were following Maryland vesting principles and fairness; those opposing an exemption cited the need to treat all applicants under a consistent legal standard. The town attorney and staff noted that some projects whose permits are already vested would not be affected in any case.

What happens next: Both ordinances become town law per the code's effective dates and will be applied by town staff and the planning commission in reviewing future mixed‑use and higher‑density proposals. Developers, property owners and members of the public who testified were told the changes aim to give clearer standards for design and for preserving commercial activity in key town corridors.","On March 3 the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners approved two ordinances tightening mixed‑use composition and overall density limits downtown and in other zoning districts after a lengthy public hearing and several amendments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bel Air accepts updated bicycle and pedestrian plan to guide decade of improvements

Bel Air receives proposal to raise Armory rental rates; public hearing set for March 17

Bel Air recognizes bartender for life‑saving Heimlich maneuver

Bel Air adopts new mixed‑use and density rules after months of debate