On Thursday, August 7th The Baltimore City Planning Commission will be holding a public hearing on two of the City Council Bills that will dramatically change the zoning code and impact every neighborhood in Baltimore. Citizens are permitted to testify in person and may submit written testimony on the measures under consideration. To submit written testimony to the Baltimore City Planning Commission, you can send it via email to Eric Tiso [
RXJpYyAhIFRpc28gfCBiYWx0aW1vcmVjaXR5ICEgZ292](mailto:
RXJpYyAhIFRpc28gfCBiYWx0aW1vcmVjaXR5ICEgZ292) and to Director Chris Ryer [
Q2hyaXMgISBSeWVyIHwgYmFsdGltb3JlY2l0eSAhIGdvdg==](mailto:
Q2hyaXMgISBSeWVyIHwgYmFsdGltb3JlY2l0eSAhIGdvdg==). For timely consideration, it's recommended to submit it no later than 4 PM on the day before the meeting.
Please try to attend the hearing in person to testify and if you are not able to, at least submit a written statement of opposition. There is a link in the agenda below for those who can't physically attend the hearing but would like to listen in virtually. However, in person attendance will have a bigger impact.
The Bills that are of major concern that will are on the Planning Commission Agenda for August 7th are as follows:
**On the Agenda for 1:30 pm**
**• City Council Bill [25-0064](
https://baltimore.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7397286&GUID=2A531A52-7828-4649-94B5-57149ECA284D&Options=&Search=)** **Zoning – Bulk and Yard Requirements - Amendments:** Introduced by Councilmember Gray; Cosponsored by: President Cohen, and Councilmembers Dorsey, Middleton, Torrence, Blanchard, Bullock, and Porter.
**Reduces the bulk and yard requirements in all residential zoning districts. The changes will reduce the amount of open and green space required in all zones by increasing the maximum percentage of lot coverage allowed by 30-40 percent, depending on the existing zoning district, and by reducing the required interior side and corner yard footage in all zones.** In R-1 districts the required side yard is reduced from 20 to 15 feet, which is a 25% reduction in space and in R-3 zones from 10 feet to 5 feet, which is a 50% reduction in yard space. These are just two examples of zones for single-family detached houses, **but all other zoning districts would also see a similar reduction in open space.**
**And on the Agenda at 2:00 pm**
**• City Council Bill [25-0065** ](
https://baltimore.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7397287&GUID=086E3B66-5DAF-4F6B-A842-CF00ADBBEBD2&Options=&Search=)** Zoning – Eliminating Off-Street Parking Requirements:** Introduced by Councilmember Blanchard; Cosponsored by: President Cohen, and Councilmembers Dorsey, and Gray. Eliminates a required minimum number of off-street automobile parking spaces for all uses and instead sets a maximum number of spaces allowed. The current code requires at least one parking space per dwelling unit. **If this bill were to pass no off-street parking space would be required in any zoning district. **Ironically, a specified number of bicycle parking spaces would still be required under the zoning (one bicycle space for every three dwelling units).
The actual Planning Commission agenda is below. The Planning Commission will take a position on these bills and submit a recommendation to the City Council. The City Council will then hold a hearing on the proposed bills, before voting on the measures in the Council. So this is the first opportunity to express any concerns you have about these measures. **The Planning Commission meeting will be held in the Phoebe B. Stanton Boardroom of the Department of Planning, located on the 8th floor of 417 East Fayette Street. [ Map Link](
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hvadNV6Fi5JFpdAY9).**
Also check out other Meetups in Baltimore.
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