Council introduces zoning changes to limit convenience store clustering

The Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee reported on CB-62-2024 draft 2, a zoning amendment that would add minimum-distance standards for convenience store uses to address perceived oversaturation and public-health concerns. Committee members discussed prior holds, proposed amendments, and testimony from retail and petroleum industry representatives; the committee voted favorably on the amendment and on the bill as amended, 4-0, with further amendments to be expected before formal introduction.

Committee discussion noted the planning board's earlier opposition to draft 1 and the administration's caution about staff capacity for enforcement. The clerk recorded additional sponsors and the bill stood introduced as draft 2. Stakeholders testifying included the Mid-Atlantic Petroleum Distributors Association and the Maryland Retailers Association, which testified in opposition to some provisions.