Baltimore County’s Department of Planning has launched a new interactive web dashboard displaying zoning issues raised during the 2020 Comprehensive Zoning Map Process (CZMP), making the process more accessible to county residents.
“Since taking office, my administration has made it a priority to make county services more accessible and transparent,” County Executive Johnny Olszewski said. “The Comprehensive Zoning Map Process is a critical step in determining land use and planning for our county, and we’re committed to making this process open and accessible to all of our residents.”
Every four years, Baltimore County residents may review the zoning classifications of any property in the County and request changes. Spanning 12 months, the process seeks input from residents, property owners, the Planning Board, County staff, and the County Council. The County Council will vote on proposed changes next year.
According to a press release:
The new 2020 CZMP dashboard monitors, tracks, and assesses zoning issue request data. This tool can be used to view zoning statistics of all areas in the County that are impacted by a zoning issue request. The statistics can be shown at the countywide level, council district level or by issue.
The CZMP Process
Since opening CZMP to public comment, the planning department has received 191 requests from individuals, community associations, landowners and others seeking to change the zoning classification of properties covering a total of 2,075 acres.
“Already, the CZMP process has had extensive input from residents across our county, and we want to continue to be inclusive and transparent through this yearlong process,” said Planning Director Pete Gutwald. “We’re proud to launch this Zoning Dashboard, which will make this process more accessible to our residents.”
Resident input began in August and ran through October 15. Over the next several months the Department of Planning, along with other key agencies, will be reviewing all of the requested changes to zoning. Planning Board Public Hearings begin in March 2020.
A complete timeline is available online.