Council debates redevelopment bill as residents press traffic and environmental concerns in Severna Park

A contested redevelopment ordinance tied to Plan 2040 drew extended public comment and council debate at the Anne Arundel County Council’s Feb. 3 legislative session, with an amendment to allow multifamily and townhouse dwellings in C4 zones adopted and the bill set for further hearing Feb. 18.

The amendment to Bill 225 — offered by Councilmember Pickard and adopted 6-1 — adds multifamily and townhouse dwellings as a conditional use in the county’s highest-intensity commercial zone (C4) under restricted conditions. Councilmembers approved the amendment on a roll call that recorded Ledbetter as the lone no vote.

The change matters because Bill 225 is intended to promote “smart growth” and encourage redevelopment in targeted policy areas identified in Plan 2040, county officials said. Jansen Evoin, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Land Use, said the measure "advances smart growth by promoting redevelopment in areas that were designated for growth and revitalization under Plan 2040,"…