BMZA defers decision on Hartford Road conversion as City Council advances zoning bill

The Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals on April 15 deferred deliberation on an appeal by Karima Burrow to convert a single‑family property on Hartford Road into three dwelling units. Planning staff told the board the property narrowly misses minimum gross floor‑area requirements and would normally require variances for unit size and two off‑street parking spaces. The board agreed to await the outcome of a pending Baltimore City Council bill on third reader that would remove those requirements for many residential conversions.

Why it matters: If the council bill passes and is signed by the mayor, the applicant’s project may proceed by right without the variances now required. The board noted the bill was advanced and likely to be signed quickly because it is an administration bill; staff estimated the law would take effect 30 days after mayoral signature.

Board direction and schedule: The board will tentatively reconvene deliberation on May 6 if the legislation has not resolved the matter. The applicant was told she does not need to attend the redo hearing unless she chooses; the BMZA will send a written resolution after deliberation or if the bill renders the variance requests unnecessary.

Ending: The applicant and staff agreed to monitor the council action. The board noted that issuing a written resolution will likely take several weeks after any decision and that the applicant may reach out to the executive director’s office for clarification in the interim.