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Bel Air accepts Harford County 2024 growth report; Wakefield Elementary currently over capacity
Summary
The board accepted Resolution 12 55-25, the Harford County 2024 growth report. Staff said Wakefield Elementary is currently at 117% of rated capacity but projects to fall to 100% by the 2025-26 school year; the town planning commission will use the report to guide approvals of residential development.
The Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners on July 21 accepted Resolution 12 55-25, the Harford County 2024 annual growth report, which municipal staff and the Planning Commission use to determine where residential development may proceed. The board voted unanimously to accept the report.
Planning staff explained the town’s Adequate Public Facilities (APF) regulations restrict major subdivision approvals where a school district’s enrollment exceeds 110% of state-rated capacity. According to county-provided figures, Wakefield Elementary is operating at 117% of rated capacity currently but is projected to decrease to 100% for the 2025–26 school year. Staff said all other schools serving the town are operating under 110% and are expected to remain so for the next three years.
"Based on this information, the Town Planning Commission determines where residential development may occur during the next six months," staff said. The town’s code (Section 165‑21) prohibits Planning Commission approval for residential development applications larger than five dwelling units where adequacy standards are exceeded.
Staff noted they are awaiting further input from the county APF committee and plan to prepare legislation or discussion items for a future work session as needed. The vote to accept the growth report was recorded as: Commissioner Rutledge, Aye; Commissioner Chismar, Aye; Commissioner Taylor, Aye; Commissioner Chance, Aye; Chair Eddington, Aye.
