Office of Planning & Zoning Presents Region 9 Plan and Proposed Comprehensive Zoning for Mayo Peninsula and Surrounding Communities

Office of Planning and Zoning staff presented the Region 9 plan and companion comprehensive zoning recommendations to the Anne Arundel County Council on Jan. 14, describing outreach, proposed zoning adjustments across the Mayo Peninsula and nearby communities, and next steps for property owners to request amendments.

“Region 9 was the first plan for the new year; this region is completely in Council Member Ledbetter’s district,” said Christina Pompa, a long-range planning official, who introduced the plan with a multi-staff team. Staff described an extensive outreach program that included postcards and follow-up bulk mail to property owners, stakeholder advisory committee (SAC) meetings, public forums, questionnaires on topics including natural environment and housing, presentations to community groups, school partnerships with South River High School and multiple Planning Advisory Board (PAB) briefings.

The Region 9 plan updates planned land use and recommends zoning changes for communities including Mayo, Galesville, West River, Shadyside, Churchton, Diehl, Tracy’s Landing, North Beach, parts of Edgewater and Friendship. Staff emphasized that region plans are policy guides (Plan 2040 is the county’s adopted general development plan) and that comprehensive zoning is the regulatory step intended to implement plan recommendations. OPZ noted three categories of zoning changes commonly recommended: consistency changes to align zoning with planned land use, parcel-boundary refinements, and refinements to OS (open space) zoning to align with parks, conservation easements and natural features. Staff also said owners receiving proposed consistency changes will receive mailed notice and that property owners may apply to the council for amendments during the conference of zoning process. The comprehensive zoning web viewer and the Region 9 hub (aacounty.org/region9) were demonstrated; the council application portal was stated to be live within the hour.

Staff said the recommended zoning adjustments for Region 9 were generally modest and aimed to protect community character while addressing issues including traffic, environmental protection and housing diversity. No final council action on Bill 325 or Bill 425 was recorded in the Jan. 14 transcript; staff invited council questions and public input as the zoning conference proceeds.