Anne Arundel Council adopts limited rezoning in Locust Grove; nearby Knapps Creek parcels move to R2

The Anne Arundel County Council on April 21 approved a package of amendments to Region 3 planning bills that change planned land use and zoning for a group of parcels in the Locust Grove/Knapps Creek area of Glen Burnie.

Council members voted to change the planned land use for an approximate 18.5-acre parcel in the Locust Grove subdivision from rural/RLD to low-medium density and to rezone several adjoining parcels from RLD to R2 residential. The actions, tied to Bill 11-25 (Region 3 plan) and Bill 12-25 (Region 3 comprehensive zoning), were contested at a lengthy public hearing that drew homeowners, developers and planning staff.

Why it matters: supporters say the rezoning restores some previously stripped development rights, enables sewer extension and limits the number of new houses compared with the owners' earlier R5 request; opponents said the change would increase density, threaten wells and wildlife and runs counter to Plan 2040 guidance designating parts of the area as resource conservation. The council repeatedly balanced those property-rights and environmental arguments before adopting compromise measures.

Most of the public testimony focused on a single cluster of parcels off Knapps (Knapp's) Creek Road and Marley Neck Boulevard. Residents including Donald White and Tom Barber urged the council to retain low-density rules; White said,…