2023 Master Plan Overview

The Village at Odenton Station

2023 Odenton Town Center Master Plan

The Odenton Town Center Master Plan and County Code revisions became effective on March 29, 2024.

2023 Odenton Town Center Master Plan & Code Revision Update

Background

This Master Plan (Plan) provides a policy framework for development and redevelopment within the OTC and establishes a basis for planning the public expenditures needed to support future growth, as well as design requirements. From 2021 - 2023, the Anne Arundel County Office of Planning and Zoning (OPZ) received feedback from developers, residents, the OTCAC, elected officials, and other community stakeholders that the previous format of regulating development both through the master plan and the County Code made the development process unclear, slow, and hard to predict. The primary objectives of the Plan are to:

  • Advance a refined community vision for a walkable, connected OTC. 
  • Simplify the regulatory framework to achieve the community vision. 
  • Set the stage for implementation and continued partnerships between residents, businesses, property owners, developers, the OTCAC, and County staff. 
  • Reflect recent advancements in County policies related to the natural and built environments, and economic and community development.

This Plan updates the policy framework related to land use and development, design guidance, transportation, public utilities, community amenities, economic development, historic preservation, and the environmental resources of OTC based on the public feedback. These changes are captured and organized across four sections: Natural Environment, Built Environment, Healthy Economy, and Healthy Communities. County staff have migrated a majority of the regulatory language that accompanied previous versions of this Plan to the County Code. The design requirements will remain in the Master Plan. This change allows for simplifying regulations and strengthening standards to provide greater clarity to property owners, developers, County staff, and the community.

Past Events

  • County Council Introduction: November 6, 2023: Introduction of the Odenton Town Center Master Plan and Code revisions bills to the County Council.
  • Planning Advisory Board Deliberation: August 9, 2023: The Office of Planning and Zoning presented a summary of written testimony. The PAB deliberated and voted 5-0 to recommend approval.
  • Planning Advisory Board presentation: July 26, 2023: The Office of Planning and Zoning presented a new chapter, Development Requirements, of the draft Odenton Town Center Master Plan to the PAB. Oral testimony was received at the meeting and the written comment period was opened until August 2, 2023.
  • Planning Advisory Board deliberation: May 10, 2023: The Office of Planning and Zoning presented a summary of written testimony. The PAB deliberated and voted 4-0 to recommend approval.
  • Planning Advisory Board presentation: April 26, 2023: The Office of Planning and Zoning presented the draft Odenton Town Center Master Plan to the PAB. Oral testimony was received at the meeting and the written comment period was opened until May 9, 2023.
  • Preliminary Draft of the Odenton Town Center Master Plan comment period: March 24, 2022 - April 25, 2022: The Office of Planning and Zoning held a public comment period for Preliminary Draft of the 2022 Odenton Town Center Master Plan and corresponding updates to the County Code in the Spring of 2022. Below are links to the documents that were available for public comment.
  • Preliminary Draft Plan public meeting: April 6, 2022: The Office of Planning and Zoning on Wednesday, April 6 at 6:30 PM held a public meeting to share information about key changes and next steps, and to receive comments about the Preliminary Draft.
  • OTCAC meetings: May - January 2022: The OTCAC discussed a Vision Statement and reviewed draft strategies. 
     
  • Priorities survey: May 6 to May 24, 2021: An online and a hard copy survey were available in English and in Spanish at the Odenton Library asking the public what they thought was most important to address in the Master Plan update. 
     
  • Visioning Survey: March 18 to April 4, 2021: An online and hardcopy survey were available at the Odenton Library asking the public what the envision Odenton could be or look like in 20 years. Visioning Meetings: March 18, 2021: OPZ and members of the OTCAC facilitated two virtual community-led Master Plan meetings focused on the community’s vision. 
     
  • Stakeholder meetings: March - April 2021: OPZ met with local stakeholders to learn what was working and not working in the Odenton Town Center and the current Master Plan regulations. 
     
  • Odenton Town Center Advisory Committee (OTCAC) kickoff: January 2021: OPZ kicked off the OTC Master Plan update process.