Region 9 plan, rezoning proposals draw split public reaction; council holds votes for more review

The Anne Arundel County Council opened joint public hearings Feb. 3 on Bill 325 (Region 9 General Development Plan) and Bill 425 (comprehensive zoning for Region 9) and received substantial oral and written testimony about proposed rezoning across the Mayo Peninsula and South River watersheds. After extended testimony the council voted to hold final votes until Feb. 18 to allow additional review.

The proposals affect communities including Mayo Peninsula, Galesville, West River, Shadyside, Churchton, Tracy’s Landing and parts of Edgewater and Friendship. Office of Planning and Zoning staff presented the package and answered questions; Christina Pompa said OPZ had provided a prior work-session presentation and was ready to respond to questions.

Several community groups and residents opposed specific rezoning recommendations. The West River Improvement Association and Galesville Civic Organization asked the council to reject a proposed rezoning of the Galesville firehouse at 954 Main Street from R2 to C4. Vice President Buzz Winchester said the owner’s stated plan for a maritime museum could be pursued under residential zoning with a variance and called the requested C4 change “a fanciful overreach.” Several residents who live opposite the firehouse said commercial uses would worsen traffic, pedestrian safety and noise on Main Street.

Waterfront and marina zoning in Warehouse Creek drew particularly vigorous opposition. Multiple residents and neighborhood groups asked the council to limit or deny MA1B (marina) rezoning for parcels on Warehouse Creek, saying the inlet is small and that additional commercial slips, boat storage and launch facilities would harm water quality and local recreation. Peter Quirk of South River Park told the council, “Warehouse Creek is being proposed for 2 commercial marinas, and it is tiny relative to these other waterways.” Residents cited recent water-quality improvements and requested smaller, consistent zoning or registered nonconforming use recognition for historical marinas at 25 Leland Road and 58 Leland Road.

Property owners and representatives urged approval of rezoning for specific parcels. Caleb Royer said his property at 25 Leland Road has operated as a marina for more than 50 years and urged rezoning that reflects historic use; Mayo Ridge Marina proponents said a rezoning would enable reinvestment and limited housing while maintaining marine operations. Architect Chris James presented a concept plan for a balanced redevelopment of Mayo Ridge that would preserve boat access while adding modest residential elements consistent with neighborhood scale.

After more than an hour of testimony, the council voted unanimously to hold the votes on both bills until Feb. 18 to allow further review and public input. The secretary announced that multiple written testimonies were in the record and that councilmembers had requested additional materials and map details before final action.

Key clarifications from the hearing: the OPZ-led process included Stakeholder Advisory Committee and Planning Advisory Board reviews for many parcels; several residents documented long-standing, historic marina uses and asked for zoning consistent with those uses; opponents raised aviation safety concerns about a monopole tower allowed in MA1B zoning and submitted wildlife and water-quality evidence for the council’s consideration.

The council will reconvene on Feb. 18 for further deliberation and possible final votes on Bills 325 and 425.