Zoning and Planning
The GPCA Zoning and Planning committee monitors land use within and adjacent to our boundaries. Working with County and State officials we advocate for policies and zoning that reflect our commitment to conservation and development compatible with our rural character and existing infrastructure.
We alert our members to proposed zoning changes and development proposals within our boundaries through articles in our monthly newsletter and presentations at our monthly meetings.
Currently the Baltimore County Department of Planning is developing Small Area Plans (SAP) for each of 12 areas within the county. The Small Area Plans are intended to provide area-specific recommendations for achieving and refining the goals of the Master Plan. SAP5 includes much of the GPCA membership area and will engage citizens, stakeholders and county agencies to gather input on various aspects, including land use, zoning, pedestrian and road improvements, and community design. This collaboration aims to identify how best to develop these areas and enhance their overall functionality. GPCA will be actively involved in this process which is anticipated to take over a year. Click the Join link at Area5/Small Area Action Plans to sign up for email updates and notifications of engagement opportunities.
Some of our success stories since our revival in 1985 are:
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Vigorously opposed the “Stump Dump” on Dogwood Road in the mid 1980’s. Finally the dump caught fire and the resulting smoke plagued the Patapsco River valley for weeks.
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Defeated then Councilman Hickernell’s proposal to create "Patapsco" a 10,000-house development and a MD SHA plan to extend U.S 29 through Granite to Owings Mills in the late 1980s. The unpopular proposal failed, and Hickernell was not re-elected.
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Fought the development of the Bethel AME Church, which proposed a 3,000 seat house of worship on Old Court Rd in the late 1990s. Subsequently, in 2015 County Executive Kamenetz championed the purchase of the 258-acre property from Bethel by Baltimore County, in recognition that the location was not suitable for Bethel's proposed use.
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Working with legislators in 2000, provided input that resulted in creation of the zoning classification RC6, that continues to protect forest patch areas, wetlands, flood plains and steep slopes from development.
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Fought to close a demolition dump on 179 acres on Ridge Road in 2003. Twenty years later worked with the Berg family and Councilman Jones to create legislation that resulted in the Serenity Ridge Natural Burial Cemetery on that property.
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Successfully lobbied then Councilman Oliver for “No Upzoning” within our boundaries during the 2008 Comprehensive Zoning Map Process.
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Negotiated a restrictive covenant for a daycare center on Dogwood at Old Court.
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Effectively opposed a commercial campground on a private right of way on Old Court Road in 2024
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Review quadrennial Comprehensive Zoning Map Process petitions to determine compatibility with our mission and determine with our Board, GPCA’s position to support or oppose. 2028 process begins in August 2027.
All of this work was made possible by dedicated volunteers and community advocates. Will you be one?
Cathy Wolfson, Chair