Westminster officials tell Carroll County they now have water capacity and seek closer planning coordination

City of Westminster planning officials told the Carroll County Planning and Zoning Commission on Sept. 16 that recent changes to the city's water supply have removed a near-term barrier to downtown redevelopment and infill housing, and they urged closer coordination between county and municipal plans to manage growth in the environs.

The presentation, delivered by Westminster planning staff and elected representatives, summarized the city's comprehensive-plan vision for denser downtown infill, design standards for new development, and several near-term projects that officials said will expand capacity. Thomas Baird, chair of Westminster's Planning and Zoning Commission, and Daniel Huff, a Westminster councilman who also serves as the city's ex officio planning member, described recent investments in water and sewer projects and upcoming updates to the city's plan.

Why it matters: Westminster is a primary growth center in Carroll County. Officials said better municipal water capacity makes it easier for the city to accept higher-density housing and mixed-use redevelopment in downtown and near large parcels such as…