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Council adopts Region 1 general plan and zoning bills after contested public comments on specific parcels
Summary
The Anne Arundel County Council adopted Region 1 general development plan and comprehensive zoning bills after public testimony from property owners urging rezones for specific parcels in Linthicum and Ferndale.
The Anne Arundel County Council on Monday adopted two Region 1 land-use bills, bill 9-25 (general development plan) and bill 10-25 (comprehensive zoning for Region 1), after a joint public hearing that included contested testimony on several parcels.
Abdullah Hejazi, an attorney representing Effect Inc., and company representative Peter Chunloy told the council their property at 814 South Camp Meade Road in Linthicum had been recommended for industrial in the county'wide Land2040 plan and by advisory groups, but the draft Region 1 mapping retains or returns the parcel to residential zoning. Hejazi said the parcel is surrounded by institutional and industrial uses (including a cell tower and parking areas) and requested the council correct the map and rezone the site to industrial (W-1) to align with prior plan recommendations and adjacent properties.
Other public commenters focused on Ferndale. Business owner Robert (Rob) Busick said his intent is to operate Best Pro Company at 7048 Aviation Boulevard, argued for the zoning change and said he is committed to improving the property and the neighborhood. Ferndale resident Ken Doan opposed a proposed change that would allow a higher commercial zoning (C-4) on a parcel near his home and asked the council to withdraw the amendment and preserve a more limited commercial designation (C-1) recommended by the Planning Advisory Board.
Council Member Smith said the legislation and amendments were difficult choices with winners and losers but that he will continue to work with property owners and the Ferndale community to mitigate impacts and address access and identity concerns for Aviation Boulevard. The council then adopted bill 9-25 as amended on a 6-0 (one absent) roll call and bill 10-25 as amended on a 6-0 (one absent) roll call.
Why it matters: The Region 1 plan and zoning map implement the county'wide general development plan (Land2040) for areas that include Brooklyn Park, Linthicum Heights, Curtis Bay, Ferndale and areas near BWI Airport. Zoning changes can affect permitted uses, property values and future development types for individual parcels.
What happens next: The adopted maps and zoning will guide land-use decisions in Region 1; property owners who object to specific parcel designations may pursue map amendments or other land-use remedies consistent with county procedures.
