Bel Air commissioners unanimously adopt a package of zoning and code cleanups

Bel Air’s Board of Town Commissioners on April 6 unanimously approved a package of municipal code changes intended to tidy development rules and align local language with state requirements. The measures covered freestanding sign rules, permitted-use tables, development performance standards and a code reference to state alcoholic-beverage law.

The board adopted Ordinance 854-26 to add mixed‑use treatment to the town’s freestanding sign rules so signage for mixed‑use sites is treated similarly to shopping centers, according to staff and planning‑commission review. Commissioners said planning staff and the planning commission supported the change as cleanup language.

Ordinance 855-26 updates the permitted‑use tables in zoning Article 3; the planning commission recommended the change with no amendments, and commissioners approved it without additional discussion. Ordinance 856-26 revises development and performance standards in Article 7; staff described it as a clarification and the board voted to adopt it.

The board also approved Ordinance 857-26 to add a reference to the Maryland Code (Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis, §22-6002) in the town’s administration and enforcement provisions, bringing local code language into alignment with state procedures for waivers and notices.

Each ordinance passed by voice vote with Commissioners Foss, Chismar, Taylor, Hanley and Chair Eding recorded as voting yes. Planning staff told the board that the planning commission reviewed and supported each measure.

The ordinances take effect under the town’s standard code‑adoption timeline unless otherwise noted in the text of each ordinance.