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Developer proposes 10‑bed group home at 1803 Harford Road; county requires plan revisions and possible variance
Summary
Frederick Ward Associates presented a change‑of‑use plan to convert 1803 Harford Road (zoned B3) to a 2,555 sq ft, 10‑bed group home on a 20,000 sq ft parcel. County reviewers said a new site plan showing utilities and setbacks is required and flagged a potential side‑yard encroachment that may need a variance.
Frederick Ward Associates presented a site plan to the Harford County Development Advisory Committee on July 1 proposing a 2,555 square‑foot building to operate as a 10‑bed group home at 1803 Harford Road in Council District B. "This is a change of use," consultant Jessica Campbell said, adding the parcel is zoned B3, is approximately 20,000 square feet, and is served by public water and sewer.
County planning staff said the submitted plan contains multiple technical deficiencies that must be corrected before formal approval. "Per the Harford County Zoning Code, the proposed use requires a minimum 10' side yard setback," staff read; the submitted plan shows the building encroaching into the required side yard along the southern property line and "if the required setback cannot be met, a variance must be requested and approved via the Harford County Board of Appeals" prior to further review. Planning staff also asked that the use be labeled on the plan as "Group Home for Sheltered Care" and that the proposed number of employees be stated separately from parking notes.
Reviewers additionally required a new site plan series that addresses basic data and mapping errors: update adjacent property owner information, correct a site data note that references Cecil County, and show any steep slopes called out in the data notes. A Landscape and Lighting Plan (L216‑2026) was submitted but cannot be approved until these corrections are made and the owner signs the Protective Measures Statement. The plan was noted as not being within the Harford County Historic Preservation review threshold.
Next steps identified at the meeting: the applicant must submit a revised site plan addressing the Planning Department, Health Department, and DPW comments; obtain any required variance from the Board of Appeals before the site plan can advance; and resolve outstanding landscape and lighting plan issues. The meeting record notes additional DPW Division comments on stormwater and grading were provided after adjournment.
