Another request is to change the rural conservation zoning on 43 acres of the Turkey Point peninsula to allow for higher-density residential zoning.
In some cases, community leaders say developers are seeking zoning changes with more permissive land uses than the projects they are planning require.
For example, several developers are seeking zoning that allows for large commercial operations after telling neighborhood groups that smaller businesses, such as supermarkets, are planned.
"I think they're over-requesting as a negotiating tool," Lagna said.
In Towson, too, some residents are leery of that tactic.
The Riderwood Hills Community Association says it is concerned about a zoning request that would allow midrise apartment buildings and retail businesses in a nearly 24-acre area on Kenilworth Avenue that is already the site of an existing apartment complex called The Colony.
"I'm all for compromise," said Corinne Becker, a member of the neighborhood group, "But there comes a point where you have nothing left to give."
The Planning Board is due to make recommendations in May about the more than 500 zoning requests in the county. The council will hold public hearings in June and vote on the requests by mid-September.
laura.barnhardt@baltsun.com
The Planning Board hearing on the requests for zoning changes in the 5th District is at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Perry Hall High School, 4601 Ebenezer Road.
The hearing for zoning requests in the 6th District is at 7 p.m. Thursday at Overlea High School, 5401 Kenwood Ave.
Information: www.baltimorecoun tymd.gov/Agencies/planning/zon ing/2008czmp/index.html.
Zoning change requests
Highlights of requests for zoning changes in the 5th District, which includes Towson and Perry Hall:
St. John Properties seeks commercial zoning to allow industrial uses on 6 acres at East Joppa and LaSalle roads.
Cromwell Coventry Community Association seeks residential zoning allowing one house per acre, down from the two per acre now allowed, on 66 acres between Cromwell Bridge Road and the Beltway.
National Property Investors 6 seeks zoning that would allow a midrise apartment building and retail businesses in a nearly 24-acre area on Kenilworth Avenue.
Perry Hall Improvement Association seeks residential zoning, allowing one house per acre, on 35 acres at Philadelphia and New Forge roads now designated for businesses. The land was cleared for a shopping center but is undeveloped.
Highlights of requests for zoning changes in the 6th district, which includes Overlea, Bowleys Quarters and Parkville:
Near the Middle River depot, Vanguard Equities seeks "business major" designation on 16 acres along Eastern Boulevard across from Lynbrook Road.
Developers seek business major designation on a combined 11.4 acres at Bowleys Quarters and Carroll Island roads currently zoned for community and local business.
Umerley Bowleys Quarters LLC seeks residential zoning, allowing two units per acre, on 28 acres at Bowleys Quarters Road and Burke Avenue now designated for rural conservation.
Back 50 LLC seeks higher-density rural residential zoning on 43 acres on the west side of Back River Neck Road, south of Turkey Point Road, to allow one house on every 2 acres. Currently, one house can be built on every 20 acres.
[Source: Baltimore County Office of Planning, 2008 Log of Issues]
