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Committee backs rezoning of 4001 E. Baltimore St. to IMU‑1 despite BDC objection
Summary
The committee found facts and moved a rezoning of 4001 East Baltimore Street from I‑2 to IMU‑1 favorable; planning recommended the change while the Baltimore Development Corporation registered an unfavorable report citing preservation of industrially zoned land.
The Land Use and Transportation Committee voted to move a rezoning for 4001 East Baltimore Street from an I‑2 industrial district to IMU‑1 mixed‑use zoning, a change the committee found consistent with recent area development.
Councilman Mark Parker presented the bill and described the block as a transitioning area with retail, converted industrial buildings and new investments, including a Greenway Trail entry point across the street. Planning staff recommended a favorable report, citing changes in the area that support a mixed‑use designation.
Tom Welling of the Baltimore Development Corporation registered an unfavorable bill report and told the committee the stance reflected BDC’s consistent interest in preserving contiguous industrially zoned land. He said the proposed use will likely not be industrial and that, from the agency’s standpoint, preserving industrial land is a priority. Chase Hoffberger, representing the applicant Safo Contracting, described area growth since 2017 and urged the committee to find facts showing a change in neighborhood character to support rezoning.
The committee voted to find facts that the character of the neighborhood has changed and then moved the bill favorable to the full council. The bill will return to the council for additional readings and final action.
