Land Use and Transportation Committee recommends Council Bill 2500006 with parking, variance and notice changes

The Baltimore City Land Use and Transportation Committee voted to recommend Council Bill 2500006, a set of zoning-code modifications, favorable to the full City Council at its March 27 meeting, after adopting a set of agency and member amendments.

The bill, discussed at 10:28 a.m., was amended to change how long a zoning variance remains valid, to alter off-street parking requirements for small multi-unit conversions, to clarify rules about expanding nonconforming structures, and to keep a newspaper advertising requirement in the local code. Committee chair Ryan Dorsey moved the bill favorable as amended and the roll call showed six yes votes and one absence; the committee recorded the recommendation as favorable to the full council.

Why it matters: The package alters practical implementation of the zoning code for property owners and applicants — notably by changing the milestone that preserves an approved variance and by loosening parking requirements for very small multiunit conversions — while preserving a local notice provision that the committee said aligns with state law.

Key amendments and discussion

Variance timeline: The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) presented an amendment that keeps a two-year limit on variances but replaces the requirement that the applicant secure a use-and-occupancy permit within two years with a requirement that "substantial…