Current Issues

Potin Stil Restaurant Zoning Variance Appeal – Zoning Case 02-165-A, 2323 York Rd, Variances to Parking Regulations as to number required, island sizes, aisle space dimensions. Zoning Commissioner granted all variances. GTCC filed an appeal with the Board of Appeals. Appeals Board reversed the Zoning Commissioner's order by a 2-1 vote. Petitioner made request for Judicial Review to Baltimore County Circuit Court. GTCC and Peoples Counsel of BC filed in opposition to request. Circuit Court Judge agreed with the Board of Appeals decision reversing the variances granted. Director of Permits and Development and Code Enforcement have not exercised the Circuit Court's order of July 5, 2005. Request, if granted by the County, for any future meeting to be held, to participate in settlement of this case. Engineer for the owners have requested a refinement to the development plan to correct this violation. Lou Miller attended the DRC meeting, and Baltimore County did not approve the DRC request. The matter is rightfully considered a zoning violation and not a development refinement. To date, the violations have not been corrected, and Baltimore County needs to enforce the zoning violations. The engineer's revised plan has been rejected by zoning officials of Baltimore County. As of the end of April revisions to the plan have not been received. Lou Miller is writing a letter to County Exec. Jim Smith asking him to intercede to require code compliance. (E. Rockel, L. Miller, and GTCC Executive Committee)

Hampton Inn & Suites – Hotel is proposed on lot 6 at Texas Station Court. The Development Review Committee approved that this project would not require Community Input Meeting and Hearing Officer's Hearing despite objection raised by GTCC. (E. Rockel)

11311 McCormick Road – The owner has received a variance to construct signage larger than permitted under zoning regulations. In conjunction with the Sparks/Glencoe Association & People's Counsel, GTCC opposed the variance. The County Board of Appeals, in its public deliberation, gave indication that the variance would be denied, but in its written decision, the Board of Appeals upheld the variance. The People's Counsel has asked for a reconsideration of the ruling in light of the public deliberation comments. The reconsideration was denied, and People's Counsel is considering an appeal.(E. Rockel)

Aylesbury Road – Owner is proposing a mixed use project for the property on the north corner of Aylesbury Road and Business Park Drive. Residential, commercial and office uses are planned. This project may take until 2011 to receive County approvals. (E.Rockel)

2340-2342 York Road – Request to expand a dentist offices, which necessitates variances to setbacks and driveway widths. Construction expected to begin in June 2010.( W. Timonium Heights)

York Road, Timonium Condo Project – Recently land owner A&A Global Industries notified GTCC that the condo project proposed by Keelty & Company will not proceed. A & A Global is examining other possible uses for the site, none of which at this time would include a high rise residential development. ( E. Rockel & GTCC Executive Committee)

1734 York Road (Ridgely Plaza Shopping Center) – Neighboring businesses report that St. Joseph's Medical will occupy the vacant space previously used by Giant Foods. Additionally, a proposed "stealth cell phone tower" is being proposed for a space on the southern side of the property, but County officials informed the owner that a hearing would be required before permission is granted. (E. Rockel)

10 Aylesbury Road – A special hearing recently granted permission to open a commercial recreational facility in the space formerly occupied by LAX World. The operator informs that this facility will exclusively serve children age 13 & under, accompanied by an adult, for recreational activities and children's parties. Look for the business to open later this summer. (E. Rockel)

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On Going Issues

Texas Station – Jacoby Properties sold property to Peter Angelos. Zoning changed in 2004 Comprehensive Zoning Cycle from ML-IM to BM (Business Major). GTCC continues to monitor this property. (E. Rockel, L. Miller, F. Regan, GTCC Executive Committee.)

Beaver Dam Swim Club Property – Development Concept Plan reviewed by GTCC. Plan calls for four (4) mid-rise residential buildings with fifty-five units per building, or eleven units per floor. Two hundred twenty (220) units, with below grade parking for 528 spaces. Plan would occupy ten of the twenty-six acres. No plans given for the remaining acres. A PUD overlay zoning is required. Further discussion with Mr. Mark Hanley, Jr. results in no further action at this time. (E. Rockel, L. Miller, GTCC Executive Committee)

York & Ridgely Roads – The former Lincoln/Mercury dealership has been reported to be the future site of a Walgreen Drug Store and pad site. The property currently has the Walgreen's building constructed, with the interior to be completed. (E. Rockel)

Galloway Avenue and Texas Station – Recently the Development Review Committee postponed consideration of a decision to allow two-way traffic at the entrance from Galloway Avenue into Texas Station. Both GTCC and the County Home Park association questioned two-way traffic in light of the original development plan restrictions on the site. Before any change takes place, an assessment of the York Road and Galloway Avenue intersection should take place. (E. Rockel)

Timonium Fairgrounds – Both the GTCC and adjoining neighborhood associations hope that Councilman Bryan McIntire will rectify the rezoning error in which 60 acres of this property were zoned for commercial usage during the Comprehensive Rezoning Process of 2008.

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Completed Issues

Jessup Property – The County Landmarks Preservation Commission has approved placing the Jessup House on the landmarks list. The Baltimore County Council would have to also approve the inclusion. As of August, the developer's attorney indicated his client was reviewing how this would impact the proposal. Regardless of the Landmark's issue, the developer has not submitted a development plan for County review. Longford North was to hold a fundraiser in early November to help pay for its legal expenses. The developer has submitted a revised development plan in December. The Hearing Officer's Hearing was held in April with Longford North, Pine Valley/Valleywood, Huntridge and GTCC offering comments on the plan. A consistent remark from all was that the number of units, 103, needed to be reduced. The hearing officer approved the 103 unit plan. The Longford North Community reached a compromise with the developer and has dropped any plan to appeal the development. It has come to our attention that the original developer is trying to sell the property to a third party to develop. (E.Rockel, Longford North)

Hampton Manor – This property is located on the east side of Scott Adam Road and is an existing multifamily residential development that will be adding more units. Concept Plan Conference scheduled for 11/6/2006 at 10:00 am in Room 123 County Office Building. Community Input Meeting will be scheduled thereafter. The community input meeting demonstrated several objections to the plan. The most common objection was a proposal to connect Southfork Road with the existing roads in the apartment complex. Residents on Southfork are concerned about additional "cut thru" traffic. Despite the owner's willingness to eliminate the connection to Southfork Road, Baltimore County DPW and Fire Department officials insist on a second access. A compromise may have been reached at the start of the Hearing Officer's Hearing. Both sides will examine making the Southfork connection a gated entrance. At the Hearing Officer's Hearing, Baltimore County agreed to allow Southfork Road to be a gated entrance. (E.Rockel)

302 North Avenue, Lutherville – The property owner was given a side yard variance in order to subdivide this parcel and construct a second house on a newly created second lot. The creation of the second lot will allow the owner to afford to rehabilitate the existing Victorian dwelling on the initial lot. (E. Rockel)

Ames Store Building – Land and building owned by Capital Enterprises. The DRC approved plan to change the building which should lead to the construction of a Giant Foods in place of the now vacant store. Despite requests from GTCC and Yorkshire/Haverford, Giant has not replied to a request to publicly present their plans. Former Ames building has been demolished, and Giant has successfully opened at this location. (L. Miller, F. Regan, E. Rockel)

1928 Greenspring Drive – Plans to create a commercial recreational facility within the existing building to host birthday parties, corporate outings and other events. The recreational uses will include laser tag, cosmic miniature golf and other high tech gaming activities. (E. Rockel)

Padonia Swim Club – Grace Fellowship Church announced plans to purchase the 29 + acre site of the swim club. Many nearby residents have expressed concerns that the church plans to build a 2,500 seat sanctuary on the site. GTCC members have voted to disapprove the site for the church's intended use. In November, the Church announced that it would not build on the site. (GTCC Executive Committee & Community Organizers )

Comprehensive Rezoning for 2008 – See the list of properties requesting a zoning reclassification under the Comprehensive Zoning Map Process by looking at the GTCC website. GTCC continues to work with Councilman McIntire on developing a unique zoning classification for the Timonium Fairgrounds. (E. Rockel, L. Miller & GTCC)

Anderson Automotive – Dealership wishes to reconfigure its site layout by establishing the Honda dealership on the current GMC site and moving the GMC trade to the Hummer site. The site at the corner of York & Halesworth would be sold for another usage. At a Hearing on January 15th, Deputy Zoning Commissioner Thomas Bostwick approved the amendment of the previous PUD plan ( E.Rockel, J. Rogers & People's Counsel)

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