Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Community leaders say they welcome county regulations that will improve the commercials areas that are the gateways to both neighborhoods.
The Baltimore County Council Monday unanimously approved a bill that seeks to add a more formal review of redevelopment efforts in the Baynesville and Hillendale communities. The bill, sponsored by Councilman David Marks, revises the boundaries of the Loch Raven Commercial Revitalization District borders. The county Design Review Panel is required review nonresidential development plans in the Loch Raven-Baynesville and Loch Raven-Hillendale sections of the revitalization district. "It's a very important area to the county and I do think that over some time it has been neglected, said Bob Kemp, president of the Hillendale Park Community Association. Nick Linehan, a member of the Loch Raven Community Assocation board, said he welcomes the …
Monday, March 11, 2013
The councilman said a community association would make future open space in the area, which suffered gas contamination, more amenable to a land preservation trust.
Councilman David Marks is recruiting members for a prospective Baynesville community association—in part to garner interest from NeighborSpace to preserve and maintain future open space. In spring, 16 homes in the 1600 blocks of Yakona Road will be razed as part of a settlement following more than 25 years of petroleum contamination from a nearby independently-owned Hess gas station. The demolition will result in a four-acre open space. Marks hopes the formation of a community association would make the open space more amenable to NeighborSpace, a land preservation trust. "In order for NeighborSpace to get interested in the project, they want to know there is neighborhood support behind it," Marks said. Marks is scoping interest along …
Friday, January 18, 2013
The councilman, who represents the area, met with community leaders Thursday night.
After conferring with community leaders Thursday night, Councilman David Marks announced plans to pursue legislation related to upping the design standards of the Loch Raven Commercial Revitalization District. "It mainly has to do with things like landscaping, signage and dumpster placement," Marks said. Barbara McAllister, a Hillendale resident who attended the meeting Marks hosted at Pleasant Plains Elementary School, called the area an eye sore. "I think it's a good idea to do this," she said. "We needed this years ago." McAllister added that the changes could intice community members to shop local and bring good businesses to the area. "[Locals] have to go outside the area to do the things they want," said McAllister, who noted that …
KG
3:41 pm on Monday, March 25, 2013
As a former planner for the County, and for this area specifically, I can tell you first hand that this is a welcome addition to the approval process. Citizens need to work closely with their local planning office to ensure proper site design guidance is put in place to govern how the DRP is to review each project. The devil is always in the details. Remember, being overly specific for the entire… more ›