EXPLANATION: CAPITALS indicate matter added to existing law.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL
Introduced by: Councilmember Mitchell
At the request of: Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, Inc.
Address: c/o Kirby Fowler, 317 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Telephone: 410-528-7712
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ORDINANCE concerning
Title
Zoning - Housing in Downtown Baltimore
FOR the purpose of repealing certain conversion and lot-area restrictions applicable to dwellings in B-4 and B-5 Districts; preserving the supremacy of all more-restrictive conditions or requirements imposed by Urban Renewal Plans; and generally relating to lot area requirements for housing in B-4 and B-5 Districts.
Body
BY repealing and reordaining, without amendments
Article - Zoning
Section(s) 1-206
Baltimore City Revised Code
(Edition 2000)
BY repealing
Article - Zoning
Section(s) 6-105(c) and 6-511
Baltimore City Revised Code
(Edition 2000)
Recitals
Over 3,000 new housing units have been built in Downtown Baltimore since 1999. These new housing developments have brought in over 5,000 new residents to Downtown Baltimore, a majority of whom come from outside of the City of Baltimore. These new downtown residents bring new life, vitality, and tax revenues to the City - generating significant momentum in new housing development in Downtown Baltimore.
B-4 and B-5 Zoning Districts only exist in Downtown Baltimore and the Mt. Vernon neighborhoods. Existing zoning regulations do not permit residential development to the maximum potential of floor-area ratios in B-4 and B-5 Districts.
The intent of this bill is to stimulate new residential development in the Downtown area, but without interfering with or superseding development restrictions imposed by any Urban Renewal Plan.
SECTION 1. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the Laws of Baltimore City read as follows:
Baltimore City Revised Code
Article - Zoning
§ 1-206. Conflicting provisions.
(a) Article sets minimum requirements.
In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this article are intended as the minimum requirements for the promotion of the public health, security, general welfare, and morals.
(b) Most restrictive provision governs.
If any condition or requirement imposed by a provision of this article is either more or less restrictive than a comparable condition or requirement imposed by any other provision of this article or of any other law, rule, or regulation of any kind, including an applicable Urban Renewal Plan, the condition or requirement that is the more restrictive governs.
§ 6-105. Lot area.
[(c) Families per acre in B-5 District.
In a B-5 District, no building may be altered or its occupancy changed to house more than 60 families per acre, unless the building was originally designed, constructed, and equipped as a multiple-family dwelling for more than 6 families.]
[§ 6-511. Lot area.
(a) In general.
For each dwelling, efficiency, or rooming unit located in a B-4 District, the minimum lot area is as specified in this section.
(b) B-4-1 District.
(1) General.
Except as specified in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the minimum lot area in a B-4-1 District is:
(i) 120 square feet per rooming or efficiency unit.
(ii) 170 square feet per other dwelling unit.
(2) Housing for elderly.
The minimum lot area for housing for the elderly in a B-4-1 District is:
(i) 80 square feet per efficiency unit.
(ii) 120 square feet per other dwelling unit.
(c) B-4-2 District.
(1) General.
Except as specified in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the minimum lot area in a B-4-2 District is:
(i) 80 square feet per rooming or efficiency unit.
(ii) 120 square feet per other dwelling unit.
(2) Housing for elderly.
The minimum lot area for housing for the elderly in a B-4-2 District is:
(i) 55 square feet per efficiency unit.
(ii) 80 square feet per other dwelling unit.]
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, That the catchlines contained in this Ordinance are not law and may not be considered to have been enacted as a part of this or any prior Ordinance.
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, That this Ordinance takes effect on the 30th day after the date it is enacted.
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