[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6081715,"mediaKeyId","2941601-e92bb5277b76943f7acb8e5db5a847d1","parentId",2941601,"title","Council approves region plans and zoning amendments; multiple bills and amendments advanced or scheduled","audioSeconds",6224,"startMs",996000,"endMs",7220000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2941601-e92bb5277b76943f7acb8e5db5a847d1&start=996&end=7220","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2941601-e92bb5277b76943f7acb8e5db5a847d1/thumbnail_996000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6081715/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/Council-approves-region-plans-and-zoning-amendments-multiple-bills-and-amendments-advanced-or-scheduled","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081715-43f52751a3e14d00a1b99885cecfcd4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169144&Signature=WOZpwkiBTgV13mTCe0kn-lL~EqU-TwMBG5fxy9uuKWB7QQzgaCAl5ZEzfC4tNdSC3vNkhQ-fjhSWz4oo20QP6Cm2TamV85f~-eTGfbVsRNhmAM1mR8wNRh3VxbwkHhq2Mfqmd2jOsvMxwc2E~TYsnqhjNtbCPg-4-4-j4nd7c3OmaLZCwC~yHvJMI0pfEpL7bxGAP-ZGiSdkhjBbUYpqUvs03MSmFMpfV~~flkerlgM-VZUNI2757vkOJLCC8wXQMaknWqk2nh~nS39ll0Pv47CNAWsgGevR6CKDj7AqWcFp1J8kTWQROrv0jqQGtc7EQ1h6~KjxxE03apuBZt~NTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Anne Arundel County, MD","date","2025-04-10T08:33:02.787Z","article","The Anne Arundel County Council on April 7 took a slate of votes on region plans, comprehensive zoning measures and other ordinances. Several bills passed unanimously or by voice; others carried amendments or were held for further consideration.

Key outcomes at a glance

- Bill 3-25 (Region 9 general development plan) — PASSED (roll call: 7-0). The council approved the Region 9 plan and associated comprehensive zoning (Bill 4-25) after extended staff presentations and public outreach acknowledgements. Administration and planning staff said the plan reflects stakeholder advisory committee and Planning Advisory Board input.

- Bill 4-25 (Region 9 comprehensive zoning) — PASSED (7-0). The associated comprehensive zoning ordinance for Region 9 passed on a unanimous roll call.

- Bills 9-25 and 10-25 (Region 1 general development plan and comprehensive zoning) — multiple amendments were adopted to re-designate parcels and revise zoning on specific lots. The council set further consideration for April 21 for some items; some companion amendments were adopted during the session. (Amendments adopted by roll calls; public testimony included local property owners and community association representatives.)

- Bills 11-25 and 12-25 (Region 3 plan and comprehensive zoning) — multiple amendments to planned land use and zoning were adopted; companion zoning amendments were approved by roll call. The bills will be heard again on April 21 where additional amendments will be considered.

- Bill 13-25 (animal hospitals and veterinary clinics) — AMENDMENTS ADOPTED. The council adopted a set of technical and definitional amendments that distinguish animal hospitals or veterinary clinics that include non‑medical overnight stays from those that do not, and adjusted the use chart to permit certain veterinary uses in commercial districts with conditions.

- Bill 14-25 (archaeological resources) — HELD UNTIL APRIL 21. The council voted 6-0-1 (one member absent) to hold the bill for two weeks to allow further work between stakeholders and the Office of Planning and Zoning.

- Bill 16-25 (assisted living facilities; community piers/launching ramps) — AMENDMENT ADOPTED. The council adopted an amendment making the ordinance’s effective date contingent on Maryland Critical Area Commission approval for Critical Area provisions.

- Bill 2,225 (school utilization chart) — PASSED (7-0). The council adopted the annual school utilization chart required by county code; staff said there were no changes from the prior chart.

- Bill 2,325 (Youth Advisory Council membership) — AMENDMENT ADOPTED. Council adopted an amendment restoring the original category member counts and modifying terms so that students can serve a second year without reapplying; the amended measure will return on April 21.

- Bill 2,425 (regional commercial complexes) — TECHNICAL AMENDMENT ADOPTED. A drafting correction on the ordinance’s effective date was adopted unanimously.

- Resolution 11-25 (auditor representative appointment to ad hoc personnel committee) — PASSED (7-0). The council approved a replacement representative from the Office of the County Auditor on the council’s ad hoc legislative branch personnel committee.

Several roll-call votes and adoption tallies were recorded during the meeting; administration and planning staff often noted that adopted amendments reflect technical corrections, parcel‑level consistency changes recommended by Office of Planning and Zoning, or follow-ups requested by councilmembers. Public testimony was limited in several of the region plan hearings but present for specific rezoning requests (see separate articles on public comment topics).

What’s next

Many of the region and comprehensive zoning bills with parcel-level amendments will return to the council on April 21 for additional consideration; staff and SAC/PAB members will continue outreach and technical corrections before final enactment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","County Council Meeting | April 7th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Anne Arundel County Council on April 7 approved region plans, adopted multiple zoning amendments and technical fixes, and scheduled follow-up hearings for several comprehensive zoning measures.","taxTitle","Anne Arundel County, Maryland","taxId",3779,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6081721,"County Council adopts redevelopment ordinance after debate over C4 residential rules",1348,1084000,2432000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2941601-e92bb5277b76943f7acb8e5db5a847d1&start=1084&end=2432","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2941601-e92bb5277b76943f7acb8e5db5a847d1/thumbnail_1084000.jpg","/articles/6081721/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/County-Council-adopts-redevelopment-ordinance-after-debate-over-C4-residential-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081721-16e6c205a4261cadb73826e6042e5b0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169144&Signature=ekuPfdBzHxL03L3jEXQtHwA~ALqlfW2Zcp0UKLomf4JgP7l2~NkmjkSbpALe-tORb~XoFqu~5Tk3lccqJvvqnFlRBJY~Pv1Yq927rdhm3WHaVd31Fh4UfGiPOOpnSh4fq~dtjNi9GI~u~TJUGLkCwJfz-ACGf~fG0ORg0rtJ689ZvVlxbur~HBG4m7Uo6C8m2b3mGimWTqUsjS6QylPWuNVh7ghlUBVMdXNusyC5hetmPTxaxyIjhFKLdqTsB-kV~5IBxhqPd~6hOfLatG7KhwC2zEqNYocHkDffPG~p~hSaDvrX5Vv1YvOiZBdI76ixUw08FIrHsy-6UgeWA1ibqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Anne Arundel County Council on April 7 adopted Bill 2-25, an ordinance intended to streamline redevelopment of underused, developed parcels across the county, voting 4-3 after a final technical amendment.

The administration told the council the bill aims to encourage reinvestment in existing commercial properties and reduce sprawl. Ethan Hunt, representing the administration, said the legislation “incentivizes and simplifies redevelopment of existing, developed sites throughout the county.” Jansen Evelyn, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Land Use, and Lynn Miller, Assistant Planning and Zoning Officer, joined administration staff in explaining the measure and answering council questions.

Council members focused on how the bill changes where multi‑family residential can be added in C4 commercial zones and how density bonuses would be applied. Several council members asked whether the bill permits redevelopment on well and septic and whether the density bonus (22 units per acre in certain areas) applies countywide. Councilmember Pickard pressed staff on practical constraints, asking, “would it even be possible to put 15 units on an acre of property if there were no public water or septic?” Lynn Miller replied that such a scenario is “very unrealistic” and noted Health Department limits on septic fields would constrain development density.

The bill, as amended during prior meetings and discussed April 7, allows redevelopment countywide for certain procedural incentives but retains the higher density bonus only within specified General Development Plan policy areas. Evelyn and administration staff said the amendment that opened parts of the bill countywide did not extend the 22‑unit density bonus beyond policy areas; where countywide redevelopment is allowed, the parcel would generally be limited to 15 units per acre absent the density bonus.

Councilmembers also debated whether the measure reduces local planning discretion. Pickard and others sought clarification on where the bill allows residential uses in C4 and whether that would apply in sensitive or low‑growth areas; administration staff and bill sponsors repeatedly said some portions of the bill that change permitted uses remain limited to the specified policy areas.

A technical amendment (Amendment 18) correcting renumbering language was adopted unanimously before the final vote. On the final roll call the bill passed 4 in favor and 3 opposed. The aye votes were Rodman, Smith, Pickard and Hummer. The no votes were Boehlke, Spiedler and Ledbetter.

The council and administration emphasized that the ordinance aims to encourage redevelopment on existing developed parcels in places that fit Plan objectives while protecting green spaces. The administration said it will continue to work with Office of Planning and Zoning staff on implementation and clarifications councilmembers requested.

Votes and next steps: Bill 2-25 becomes county law as amended. Administration staff said they will meet with planning and zoning staff and interested councilmembers to address implementation details and any follow‑up items identified during the hearing.

","The Anne Arundel County Council approved Bill 2-25, a redevelopment ordinance intended to streamline and incentivize redevelopment on already-developed parcels. The measure passed 4-3 after members debated whether the bill allows new residential uses in C4 zones and whether density bonuses should be limited to policy areas.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6081706,"New homeowners say county-installed gate blocks private-road access; councilmember seeks answers",386,362000,748000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2941601-e92bb5277b76943f7acb8e5db5a847d1&start=362&end=748","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2941601-e92bb5277b76943f7acb8e5db5a847d1/thumbnail_362000.jpg","/articles/6081706/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/New-homeowners-say-county-installed-gate-blocks-private-road-access-councilmember-seeks-answers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081706-2c6554b65bd0d535161c14492d35e260/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169144&Signature=eMO0woOE6oSemT8PBjBGU6TJ9Itq-Z8gcg~udjFkzO1hniuWE5lCNsSFmuey7e4AJdr5V3pnrqoWOIruN6rw3KW37rCiFGnJHCUay4NUGeKXiamkkJYoJ8H5aguztV-if767~AhXyPnfkXOr2fziT-6qYCP1btxkgxis5vGCqCGuIMP-vTw2GQpgFP5V0bYwoAe32zLbGlv8RmETABcUXIgI88jqPGJLDraGEcX~1NP08tIaxmXSboOTtpHCy8OSWcMBCceHyG2iGqiJ7PP44l2T2NI5zxcGHtETLjgwf7xpaSXzO79JmvooxAlzRn9aXIdZJbjalvTm6GJAGmeifA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Greg and Marcia Althoff, recent buyers on Cornish Lane in Anne Arundel County, told the council that after county inspections approved their permits and they received occupancy, the county placed a gate on Baker's Lane — a private road they say provides one of two access points to their new home — and neighbors have blocked the other access, leaving the family without regular vehicle access.

Greg Althoff identified his address as 119 Cornish. Marcia Althoff described repeated attempts to reach county offices and the county executive’s constituent services and said they have received inconsistent directions from county staff, including being told at times to deal with Recreation and Parks. She said a county staff member, Jennifer Sullivan, told them they could not use Cornish and that a specialist they hired, John Dowling, confirmed both access roads existed.

The Althoffs said county inspectors had told them the gate should not be there and that the situation has prevented reliable access to a newly completed house. Marcia said the gate has been in place for at least a year and neighbors have placed obstructions in the easement; utilities and cable run along the gated route, they said.

Councilmember Volke (spelled in the record as variants) said he had visited the site, discussed the matter with Recreation and Parks by phone and is awaiting a more comprehensive response. He told the Althoffs he had not “dropped the issue from [his] radar” and would follow up with county staff and the constituents.

No formal council action was taken at the meeting; the Althoffs asked the council to help resolve the access and coordination issues between departments.","New homeowners on Cornish Lane said a gate placed by county staff has blocked their permitted access from Baker's Lane, leaving them without reliable vehicle access despite approved permits. They asked the council for help; a councilmember said he visited the site and will pursue responses from Recreation and Parks.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6081710,"Resident raises alarm over proposed 171 townhouses at Nixon property, urges council review of workforce housing rules",456,223000,679000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2941601-e92bb5277b76943f7acb8e5db5a847d1&start=223&end=679","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2941601-e92bb5277b76943f7acb8e5db5a847d1/thumbnail_223000.jpg","/articles/6081710/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/Resident-raises-alarm-over-proposed-171-townhouses-at-Nixon-property-urges-council-review-of-workforce-housing-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081710-14f95aa65cab1f3eb37e4cdfa545834e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169144&Signature=WY9EXMD1fmqxpzTwbsvhQsgz73BLjiDjKsVoFarFFi4nxksNBpdJRK1~CxugRDYZy2S~1g3Othhxf3Ssteom~qibmm5CZ3IHc~oxF4gboFYXwfY1KmU8j3rtYzFo2WQM0nNmnaL~Mn5Y3jQ8ghFuVPkiGiQNVoZNMEsE8UCcqXaBhYl6OnIh-T6ETQlkmlJvTyMEekLQAaMd3u0HC5ARdct~0A-tWUVNVhkAE12kwH-hiyl3SCumgy79L9LyPh5Kwz-TjKYVm~04o8M7E33kKjfOzGH8Qf-UW0Cy-dwR6fn6sir0obZGMKk8aM3MYzahRQJU3uJTxS8YHrHm-D9E4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jigna Patel, a Glen Burnie resident, urged the council to re-examine how the county’s workforce housing rules are being applied after learning a developer is proposing 171 townhouses on the lower half of the Nixon property.

Patel identified herself as living in the Marley Sun Valley area of Glen Burnie and said portions of the top half of the Nixon property were previously developed in two phases—47 single‑family houses—and that earlier redevelopment proposals for the lower half had envisioned 35 single‑family homes. Patel said county planning staff had previously denied rezoning requests in the surrounding neighborhood (from R5 to R10) and that the workforce housing provisions “are a work around that just allows them to do it anyway.” She added, “Never did we imagine that that would be 171 townhouses.”

Patel told the council the affected area stretches along Spencer Road between Marley Neck and Freetown Road. She said neighbors were surprised by the proposed scale and expressed concern about traffic, environmental and infrastructure impacts.

Councilmember Volke acknowledged Patel has been active in offering public comment, said he has met with community members and committed to follow up. Volke said he would speak with the Office of Planning and Zoning staff present and see whether there are changes that could address the community's concerns. He also referenced a 2023 amendment (to workforce housing legislation) that increases a setback from 30 feet to 75 feet and said the administration and staff will review options.

No final council action on the Nixon property was taken at the April 7 session; Patel's remarks were part of the public comment period. Councilmembers and administration staff said they would pursue follow-up conversations with Planning and Zoning and review potential options raised by neighbors.","A resident told the council that a developer’s plan to put 171 townhouses on the lower half of the Nixon property shocked neighbors and used the county’s workforce housing rules as the vehicle to permit a much higher density than prior rezoning requests had received. Councilmember Volke said he will follow up with Planning and Zoning staff.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves region plans and zoning amendments; multiple bills and amendments advanced or scheduled

County Council adopts redevelopment ordinance after debate over C4 residential rules

New homeowners say county-installed gate blocks private-road access; councilmember seeks answers

Resident raises alarm over proposed 171 townhouses at Nixon property, urges council review of workforce housing rules