Updates to the Community Review Panel

 What is the CRP (Harford Road Community Review Panel)?

• A committee made up of neighborhood and business association representatives 

• Reviews the development and re-development projects along the Harford Road Corridor as part of the Urban Renewal Plan (URP) - a City Ordinance.

• The ordinance requires CRP approval on all permits for the corridor,

• CRP decisions impact zoning & planning outcomes, though limited to providing review and guidance 

What is the URP (Urban Renewal Ordinance - Master Plan)?

• A Baltimore City ordinance  

• Defines each zoning area of the Harford Road Corridor from Argonne Drive to Echodale Avenue

• States the goals and preferences for the mix of businesses in the corridor 

• Lists the prohibited and conditional uses and design standards for the corridor, which are more specific than the overall zoning code

• Supersedes the zoning code and is adhered to by Zoning & Planning

• Any modifications have to be passed by City Council: introduced by Councilman Dorsey

• The process requires community review

Why the URP Update?

• In 2017 a new Zoning Code went into effect, 

• The ordinance needs to align with the new zoning code

• Items in the URP are outdated &/or duplicated in the new zoning code

Why the URP Update is Important? 

• Gives us the opportunity to better reflect the corridor moving forward through zoning criteria & design standards

• Allows us to 

• Keep elements of the existing URP that are not in the current zoning code

• Keep existing URP non-permitted uses that are allowed in the zoning code

• Add new zoning categories and fine-tune existing ones 

• Be more restrictive than the zoning code in certain circumstances

PLEASE LET US KNOW YOUR QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT THE UPDATE

PLEASE TELL US WHAT YOU DO/DON’T WANT TO SEE IN THE COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR

contact Susan Kessel | skessel7@gmail.com

CMDS Fayette House - Outline for 2/9/21 Waltherson Improvement Association Public Meeting

 

CMDS Fayette House

Outline for 2/9/21 General Meeting

Topic:   CMDS Fayette House (an Addiction Treatment Facility)

6040 Harford Rd, just south of Christopher Ave

Research by our Zoning Committee from neighborhood meetings and communications with Zoning & other sources. 

·         CMDS = Client Management & Development Services

·         The property is a former nursing home. Current zoning for a Residential Care The facility only permits a maximum of 16 residents without zoning approval.   

·         CMDS is applying for a long term in-patient treatment program, (up to 90 days), with 8 patients per room & 104 beds. Walk-in clients will be accepted.

·         Zoning (BMZA) has currently suspended zoning hearings, due to employee limitations, but they could resume at any time. 

·         Funding will come primarily from State and Federal programs. This is not a not for profit. 

·         The location is nearby a school zone (Hamilton Elementary/Middle School).

·         Westfield Neighborhood Improvement Association is the impacted association however all neighborhoods are involved, staying informed of information given.

·         The community has been told this will not be a methadone clinic.

·         There is no ONE-specific treatment program and there is no “standardization program” like many other drug treatment facilities.

·         CMDS Fayette House & Turning Point (on North Ave):  Several references say these two entities are related yet CMDS administrator states they are not affiliated.

·         Westfield visited the facility with Fayette House administrator & has been in contact with them however no common grounds have been agreed.  An attorney has been secured by Westfield.

·         Westfield has asked for donations from the neighboring associations and/or general public to help pay for the attorney to represent this case.  Their attorney is the same attorney as the Royal Farms project that was originally slated for Harford Rd next to Harbel. 

·         Other neighborhood associations have written & submitted letters of opposition of this facility. Their concerns include inequity of treatment, inadequate facility staffing & equitable care & security concerns These letters of opposition were sent to the BMZA, Council Persons & other applicable parties.  Waltherson Improvement Association is taking a vote at the next public meeting for the same action.  

 

We at Waltherson Improvement Association are committed to serving all of our community and that includes those struggling with addiction. We want to ensure that all who need help have access to adequate, research-based, equitable care. We are proposing that we join with our fellow North East neighborhood associations and oppose this project & submit a letter to the BMZA (and our council people) to preemptively oppose the permitting of this project.