Commissioners approve rezoning of 22.86-acre parcel near Atlantic General Hospital to R-3 multifamily

The Worcester County Commissioners voted 6-0, with one commissioner absent, to approve rezoning case 447 that reclassifies two parcels totaling 22.86 acres on Racetrack Road from C-2 general commercial to R-3 multifamily residential.

Jennifer Keener, director of Development Review and Permitting, opened the public hearing and summarized the planning commission—inding that the area has experienced a change in character and that multifamily residential would be compatible as a transition between single-family neighborhoods and highway commercial uses. Keener noted the parcels are in the county's Existing Developed Area land-use category.

Hugh Cropper, attorney for Maryland Medical Owners 2, LLC and Maryland Medical Owners 3, LLC, told the commission the property—onsists of two parcels (7.62 acres and 15.24 acres) and argued R-3 residential would be less impactful than commercial uses. "With lights, you could put a car dealership…