Zoning Code

County Executive Janet S. Owens has offered to create a task force to study noise restrictions in West County to help thousands of residents living in developments surrounded by industrial and commercial activities, and to help the County Council move forward on updating the county's commercial zoning code.The task force would create a county noise ordinance or other legislation separate from the commercial zoning code, and would decide who should enforce the law. In exchange, the County Council would likely delete any reference to noise restrictions in the zoning bill, according to chairman Daniel E. Klosterman Jr.County administrators, testifying before the County Council Monday night, offered Owens' proposal for forming the task force next month, with orders to report back to the council by the end of April.

Hampstead's current contretemps over the Oakmont Green Center is a not an example of good town planning. From appearances, it seems that Hampstead's council changed its zoning law just to suit this proposed retail complex. The council's handling of this project has damaged the integrity of the town's planning process.Over this winter, the town government did an about-face on the Oakmont center. Initially, the plan was rejected. Within six weeks,However, the zoning code was revised to more easily accommodate developments such as this, and a month later, voila, it was approved.

Throughout Baltimore, property owners are looking to go up. Requests to add a third-floor to traditional, two-story rowhouses in some neighborhoods are appearing before the city's zoning board in greater numbers than in the past. They reflect a desire for more living space by residents who want to stay in the city. But Baltimore's outdated zoning code unnecessarily discourages what should be encouraged - a homeowner's impulse to remain in town in a roomier version of a classic Baltimore rowhouse.

After 10 years battling scores of developers to preserve Severna Park as a "bedroom community," the Greater Severna Park Council zoning chairman James E. Gutman says he wants to set the group's zoning principles down on paper for all to see.Over the next month, the council will review six zoning principles proposed by Gutman. He said the guidelines could be cited in instances where the council cannot meet to take a formal position on a project.Gutman's motion calls for the council to officially recognize that the area served by the GSPC is "predominantly a bedroom community consisting mostly of single-family residences" and sets the following guidelines:* Support the current zoning code and regulations.

To preserve the aesthetics of their town's business district, Hampstead officials have ordered about a dozen merchants to take down or alter illegal signs.The town's zoning code specifies the size, placement and content of all signs and requires owners to obtain zoning certificates for business and outdoor advertising."Essentially, most temporary signs and banners violate the town's zoning laws and must be removed within five days of our notifying the business owner of a violation, said Neil Ridgely, Hampstead's town manager.

The Baltimore venues where live music and entertainment can be heard run the gamut from a renovated power plant and Irish bars to neighborhood taverns and dance clubs. But if a restaurant in a residential area wants to feature a trio during brunch or a coffeehouse would like to host a poetry slam, city zoning laws stand in the way. City Council President Stephanie C. Rawlings-Blake would like to promote a lively, more diverse entertainment scene and offer businesses an easy route to provide it. She's got the right idea, but expanding government to accomplish that goal isn't the best approach.

The Harford County Council failed last night to override County Executive David R. Craig's veto of a contentious rezoning bill, despite expressing uncertainty about the how the county will move forward on the issue. Under the county's zoning code guidelines, Craig's veto washes away the past 15 months of planning, said Council President Robert S. Wagner. The rezoning process - which allows property owners to appeal every eight years for changes in how their land is used - would have to be restarted from the beginning.

Long-term lane closure to begin The State Highway Administration will begin a long-term temporary closure of the Route 159 bridge over Cranberry Run tomorrow. The circa-1925 bridge will be replaced with a new two-lane bridge with 4-foot shoulders. The project is expected to be completed early next year, weather permitting. During the closure, motorists will be directed to a posted detour using U.S. 40 (Pulaski Highway) and Route 715 (Short Lane). After the bridge reopens, daytime lane closures with flagging operations may occur between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays.

When is a massage parlor not a massage parlor?When it is, say, an acupressure therapy clinic. When it offers the services of certified massage technicians and therapists in clinical white smocks laying healing hands on customers of the same sex.And the key word is "same."After listening to testimony for about an hour yesterday, county zoning hearing officer Robert C. Wilcox decided that he need not rule in the case of a Prince George's County woman who wants to open what she calls an acupressure therapy clinic in a shopping center near Maryland City, in the county's western corner.

An agency of the United Methodist Church and the Fallston Meadows Community Association were back in court last week, arguing over the proposed construction of a foster care complex at Harford and Reckord roads.Fallston residents, who took their initial battle to the state Court of Special Appeals in Annapolis and lost in October, have regrouped and filed an administrative appeal in Harford County.Led by resident Salvatore Glorioso, the community association is appealing a decision by Harford County Planning Director Bill Carroll.