When I first ran for this seat in 2018, I ran on doing what I could to protect the characteristics of existing communities. That hasn’t changed.
I’ve been contacted by many residents in Severna Park about Bill 2-25. The bill incentivizes redevelopment of existing developed properties (see article for details). Used in the right locations, this can be a good thing. But not all areas identified need this tool right now.
I prepared an amendment that will remove the Severna Park area from the bill, if the amendment passes. At a recent council session, my amendment to remove the commercial areas in Severna Park Marketplace and Park Plaza passed. This does not close the door on changes forever, but it does remove the area from a bill that incentivizes redevelopment with increased housing unit opportunities.
These properties have a planned land use of Mixed Use, but the zoning is Commercial (C3). The administration wanted to change the zoning to Mixed Use during comprehensive rezoning. I was not comfortable with that, and neither were the majority of residents. I amended the comprehensive zoning bill to say that mixed zoning could not be granted without a sector study being completed. A sector study includes an assessment of the existing site conditions to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges of the site area, including environmental features, access issues, etc. A sector study also includes stakeholders in a visioning exercise for review of what could be on the site, and has community involvement with outreach to nearby property owners.
I support redevelopment in the right place and at the right time. This was not the time for either of these commercial areas.
