Planning commission grants preliminary approval for Hartford Mall Phase 4 with conditions
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
The planning commission granted preliminary site and landscape approval for Hartford Mall Phase 4 (two new buildings totaling 11,663 sq ft) and made the special‑development findings required by town code. Approval is conditioned on final plans addressing staff and agency comments, traffic and off‑site improvement timing, coordination on addressing and emergency access, and staging requirements tied to future phases and construction start dates.
The Bel Air Planning Commission voted to grant preliminary site plan approval and landscape plan approval for Phase 4 of the Hartford Mall redevelopment, subject to a list of conditions and required findings.
Staff described Phase 4 as part of an overall mixed‑use redevelopment that includes previously‑approved Phase 2 and Phase 3 components. Phase 4 would add two pad buildings—about 5,256 and 6,407 square feet respectively—intended for restaurant and retail tenants. Staff and applicant said the larger mixed‑use center will continue to meet the town’s parking requirements when counting shared spaces across the development.
The commission read and adopted the special‑development findings required by Town Code (uniform building/service arrangement, architectural compatibility, pedestrian and internal circulation, screening of loading/trash areas, signage control, and a recorded development agreement among owners). Approval of the preliminary site plan is conditioned on the applicant addressing comments from the fire department, county health, soil conservation district, Bel Air Public Works, the town architectural consultant and Maryland American Water; incorporating revisions shown on Exhibit A (dated 12/30/2025); completing required traffic improvements per the town’s traffic impact analysis; coordinating utility placement and easements with Public Works prior to building permit issuance; and completing all site work including landscape installation prior to issuance of final use and occupancy permits.
During the presentation, the applicant’s attorney and development team emphasized pedestrian connectivity, internal road (‘spine road’) access from both sides of the site, enhanced landscaping and screening of service yards with a proposed 5–6‑foot screen wall, and consistency of materials with previously approved phases. Commissioners asked about truck turning, addressing and road naming for emergency services, van‑accessible parking, and the timing of off‑site road improvements tied to the approved phasing schedule. Staff noted that substantial construction for certain approved phases must be initiated by specified dates (e.g., a deadline in 2027) and that off‑site road improvements are required prior to occupancy for applicable phases.
The commission approved the preliminary site plan and landscape plan by voice vote and recorded the special‑development findings. The approvals are subject to the noted conditions and agency inputs; the planning staff will verify compliance before issuing any final permits.
Next steps: applicant to submit final signed plans addressing Exhibit A and all agency comments; staff to verify traffic, off‑site improvements and utility coordination prior to building permits.