Planning Board approves landscape, open‑space and Reisterstown Main Street updates; schedules Basic Services map hearing

The Baltimore County Planning Board on Jan. 16 voted to approve updates to the county Landscape Manual and the Open Space Manual and to recommend adoption of the Reisterstown Main Street Streetscape Action Plan and Reisterstown Main Street Design Guidelines to the County Council. At the same meeting the board set an in‑person public hearing on the 2025 Basic Services maps for Feb. 6, 2025.

The Landscape Manual amendments were presented by staff from the Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections (PAI). Sally Nash of PAI told the board the revisions incorporate input from stakeholder groups including the Maryland Native Plant Coalition and Wild Ones Greater Baltimore, and add provisions such as a requirement for a minimum percentage of native species, guidance on rainwater harvesting, and updated maintenance practices. Nash said the department and stakeholders "were able to reach consensus on almost every request." The Planning Board approved the manual as amended by PAI following the November 7 public hearing; roll call votes recorded the motion carrying unanimously among members present.

PAI staff also presented amendments to the county Open Space Manual that clarify the distinction between general open space and amenity open space and specify that changes to residential open space approved as part…