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Council advances Arundel Mills zoning update to allow residential uses, with parking and density rules tightened
Summary
Councilmember Smith’s ordinance to update the county definition and rules for the Regional Commercial Complex (Arundel Mills) drew staff support and two adopted amendments clarifying that only Arundel Mills can be designated and specifying allowed residential density and parking review; the bill will return June 2 for further action.
Councilmember Smith presented amendments on Monday to a zoning ordinance that updates the definition and development rules for the county’s Regional Commercial Complex, the special designation that applies to the Arundel Mills/Live! Casino area.
The council adopted two amendments that revise the definition to make clear the designation applies only to the Arundel Mills complex and to add language that would allow residential uses and set density and parking submission requirements. The bill as amended will return to the council on June 2 for further consideration.
Why it matters: Arundel Mills is one of the county’s largest retail and entertainment centers. Sponsors said the updated definition aims to give the property owners flexibility to reconfigure retail, entertainment, parking and residential uses as market conditions change.
Sponsor Smith described the ordinance as a technical update: "Regional Commercial Complex bill is essentially a fancy name for Arundel Mills," he said, adding the goal is to give owners "more flexibility" to explore mixed uses, including housing. Planning staff said the change will not automatically apply to other properties; designating any additional complex would require separate legislation.
The council adopted an amendment that inserts language defining a regional complex as a market area of at least about 750,000 square feet of nonresidential floor space and that explicitly permits residential components. Planning and Zoning Assistant Lynn Miller said that past bills creating the designation are referenced in Title 12 and that "there would have to be new particular legislation to create a new regional commercial complex." Miller also said the county does not have a current parking‑needs study for Arundel Mills, but that the development review process could require a parking study when applications are submitted.
An amendment modifying uses, density and parking requirements was also adopted. The council clarified that one provision reduces maximum density to R22 in certain contexts (one amendment discussion referenced R44 versus R22) and requires applicants to submit plans that the county may review and require parking studies as needed.
No final adoption of the ordinance occurred; the council scheduled bill 2,425 as amended for a further hearing and consideration on June 2.
Ending: County administration said it supports the amendments and will work with the sponsor and staff to refine language prior to the next hearing.
