Baltimore County planners present Area 11 concept plan, seek public input on connectivity, shoreline preservation and housing

Megan Oliver, Baltimore County district 6 community planner and lead for the Area 11 small area plan, presented a draft concept plan and a set of nine preliminary recommendations during a virtual public meeting on Oct. 26, 2025, and asked attendees to prioritize actions for five subareas including Essex, Bowleys Quarters, Middle River, Rossville and White Marsh.

The planning team framed the draft around four topic areas — connectivity, open space, community and the economy — and said the concept plan synthesizes community input, spatial analysis and countywide policy from Master Plan 2030. “A concept plan really seeks to synthesize all of those inputs, both comments from community members and residents, as well as the data and spatial analysis,” consultant Amber Wendland said.

Why it matters: Area 11 contains more than half of Baltimore County’s shoreline and a substantial share of the county’s remaining canopy and open space, while also hosting major transportation assets and active development sites. Director Steve Lafferty told attendees, “the importance of this plan can't be overstated because, this sector of the county is a growing area with many dynamic, communities and many dynamic leaders.” The planning team said the draft is intended to refine Master Plan 2030 actions at the neighborhood…