Residents press council to protect Two Rivers open space as Region 5 rezoning advances

The Anne Arundel County Council heard hours of public testimony on April 6 as it considered the Region 5 general development plan and comprehensive rezoning (bills 17‑26 and 18‑26), a package affecting Odenton, Crofton, Gambrills and parts of Two Rivers.

Dozens of neighbors, homeowners’ associations and representatives pressed the council to keep large parcels identified in the Two Rivers planned unit development as open space. Ed Rial, speaking for Friends of Two Rivers, said the developer and prior filings committed parcels N and O to non‑residential uses and argued the council should correct the zoning to match those commitments. “In my view, the 2016 agreement and the PUD are evidence of the parcel owners’ approval to downzone these parcels over 10 years ago,” Rial said.

Multiple speakers echoed that position. Judith Wagner said marketing materials and PUD filings for Two Rivers repeatedly represented the contested acreage as permanent open space and urged the council to preserve residents’ expectations and environmental resources. Residents cited traffic, schools at capacity, water pressure and limited roads as reasons to resist adding more homes.

At the same time, individual property owners and businesses asked the council to rezone a handful of specific parcels to align zoning with long‑standing uses. Megan Raphel, representing Vulcan Materials Company, sought to change the zoning of 1852 Jackson Grove Road from W2 to W3 to regularize a concrete batch plant reportedly operating there since 1988. The council adopted amendment number one to bill 18‑26 to rezone that parcel (W2 → W3) with Office of Planning and Zoning not objecting.

Councilmembers and planning staff described the process and the specific tradeoffs. Mark Wildonger (OPZ) explained that some proposals arose late in the advisory process, which limited notice to immediate neighbors. Council discussion probed notification procedures and whether corridor or sector studies could address broader concerns about commercial creep along Maryland Route 3.

On votes: the council adopted several targeted changes to bill 18‑26 — including the Vulcan Materials parcel rezoning and a separate amendment (parcel(s) at Staples Corner from C1 → C4 to formalize a long‑operating business) — the latter passed with one abstention. An amendment to bill 17‑26 that would have changed the plan land use for a separate parcel (to commercial) was defeated on division after extended debate; the council later voted to hold bill 17‑26 until April 20 to allow for further consideration.

Why it matters: The Region 5 actions reshape zoning across rapidly growing corridors and directly affect plans for open space, commercial uses and how long‑running nonconforming operations are regularized. For Two Rivers residents, the debate centers on whether developer promises and recorded PUD commitments should control future rezonings. For property owners, the vote offers a path to make existing commercial or industrial uses conforming in county zoning.

What’s next: Bill 18‑26 was left as amended for additional hearings scheduled April 20; bill 17‑26 was formally held until April 20. The council’s future decisions will determine whether parcels N and O are codified as open space or remain available for development.