* 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: The Council President
At the request of: The Administration (Department of Planning)
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL concerning
Title
The Baltimore City Comprehensive Master Plan
FOR the purpose of establishing a Comprehensive Master Plan for the City of Baltimore; and providing for a special effective date.
Body
Recitals
The Comprehensive Master Plan is being written in order to bring the City of Baltimore into compliance with State of Maryland Planning Statutes and Baltimore City Charter Requirements. The Baltimore City Master Plan will become the Plan that will guide the City's future development.
The Plan is organized around a structure centered on 4 themes, and they are LIVE, EARN, PLAY, and LEARN, which broad areas are meant to capture the main themes by which Baltimore is experienced by its residents, workers, visitors and other stakeholders. Each of these themes overlap with several of the "element" areas covered in Article 66B, § 3.05 of the Maryland Code, to ensure coverage of these areas.
The Plan meets the Baltimore City Charter requirements under Article VII, §§ 72 and 74.
The Plan is designed to capitalize on the research and public outreach conducted for PlanBaltimore in the late 1990s, while having research and outreach conducted specifically for the Plan.
The Plan also has Management and Financial information following the 4 main chapters, which detail the structure of the organizations that will implement the Plan, as well as the City's capital budgeting process. The Summary of Goals, Objectives and Strategies for the Comprehensive Master Plan is as follows:
LIVE
Goal 1: Build Human and Social Capital by Strengthening Neighborhoods
Objective 1: Expand and Protect Housing Choices for all Residents
Develop and implement City- wide inclusionary housing plan
Ensure that at least 300 more housing units per year are affordable to seniors, disabled,
homeless, and low-income households
Expand eviction prevention services to help households retain their housing
Ensure households that are involuntarily displaced from housing receive preference for
public housing and Section 8 vouchers
Target homeownership and rehabilitation loans as well as financial counseling using
Housing Typology
Create and preserve mixed-income neighborhoods in Competitive, Emerging and Stable
neighborhoods with targeted disposition of City properties
Develop a comprehensive plan to eliminate homelessness in 10 years
Objective 2: Strategically Redevelop Vacant Properties Throughout the City
Establish a multi-tiered property tax to encourage development of vacant property and
parcels
Develop a vacant housing reclamation strategy for Transitional and Distressed
neighborhoods
Objective 3: Maintain and Create Safe, Clean, & Healthy Neighborhoods
Implement Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) standards
Target housing and sanitation code enforcement using the Housing Typology
Create a comprehensive City-wide sanitation plan
Eliminate childhood lead poisoning
Increase Substance Abuse Treatment City-wide
Adopt and implement an Urban Forest Management Plan
Objective 5: Target Neighborhood Planning to Leverage Investment
Create Area Master Plans in a targeted manner
Leverage CIP resources in targeted areas using the neighborhood plans
Objective 6: Increase the City's Population by 10,000 Households in 6 Years
Develop Growth Promotion Areas (GPAs) to absorb future population growth in the
region
Market the City to surrounding jurisdictions and Washington DC
Objective 7: Improve neighborhood schools (See LEARN, Goal 1)
Goal 2: Elevate the Design and Quality of the City's Built Environment
Objective 1: Improve Design Quality of Baltimore's Built Environment
Develop design guidelines to respond to the unique character of Baltimore City
Create and adopt a City-wide landscape ordinance
Update Building Code to promote sustainable or high performance buildings through
incentives and regulations
Create standards for hiring design professionals to foster the design of high quality City
projects
Objective 2: Streamline and Strengthen the Development Process
Modernize the Zoning Code to meet current needs
Improve efficiency of One-Stop Shop permitting center
Increase number of Zoning Cde enforcers
Create a task force on interagency coordination for web-based, real time access to
development projects
Objective 3: Promote Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and Mixed-use Development to
Reinforce Neighborhood Centers and Main Streets
Implement a Transit Oriented Development (TOD) strategy to foster stronger
neighborhood centers
Provide preferential capital funding for TOD projects
Create mixed-use with residential zoning category
Ensure all residents are within 1.5 miles of quality groceries and neighborhood services
Objective 4: Protect and Enhance the Preservation of Baltimore's Historic Buildings and
Neighborhoods
Update City-wide historic preservation guidelines
Promote use of Maryland Building Rehabilitation Code
Simplify, and actively pursue the local historic district designation process for Baltimore
neighborhoods
Create, expand and promote the historic structure tax credit programs for local historic
districts and landmarks
Strengthen CHAP ordinance enforcement by providing dedicated staff to proactively
enforce CHAP guidelines
Implement a program that physically demarcates the City's locally designated historic
districts
Create a fund/program that provides rehabilitation loans for low income families in
locally designated historic districts
Objective 5: Improve Water Quality and the Environmental Sustainability of the Chesapeake
Bay
Adopt and implement the Comprehensive Water and Wastewater Plan
Reduce pollutants in streams, rivers and reservoirs to meet Total Maximum Daily Load
(TMDL) for each body of water
Goal 3: Improve Transportation Access and Choice for City Residents
Objective 1: Create a Comprehensive Transportation Plan to Improve Mobility and Choice
Create a City-wide pedestrian plan
Implement Bicycle Master Plan to create a complete bikeway system
Implement Transportation System Management (TSM) techniques to improve the
efficiency and safety of existing roadway system
Create traffic- calming policies and procedures
Target Pavement Maintenance Management System (PMMS) funding to bicycle and bus
routes and surface rail crossings
Objective 2: Facilitate Movement throughout the Region
Create a regional authority to manage public transit services throughout the metropolitan
area
Support efforts to implement the Baltimore Regional Rail Plan and its Red and Green
Line priority segments
Protect and create Rights-of-Way along existing and proposed rail lines
Create intermodal transit hubs in areas of low automobile ownership
Establish a development mitigation program to reduce congestion effects of development
EARN
Goal 1: Strengthen Identified Growth Sectors
Objective 1: Retain and Attract Businesses in all Growth Sectors
Create an industrial mixed-use Zoning District
Create a light industrial mixed-use zoning district
Establish microenterprise loans for start up businesses specifically in the growth sectors
Work with growth sector employers to identify training needs
Preserve use of eminent domain for underutilized and/or contaminated parcels of
commercial and industrial land
Objective 2: Retain and Attract Business in Bioscience
Create a Bioscience Development District
Create incubator space around biotechnology areas
Objective 3: Retain and Attract Business in Business Support Services
Identify and rezone nodes in the city that can support high-density, mixed-use commercial
properties
Preserve and enhance CBD office space
Objective 4: Retain and Attract Business in Computer, Internet, Data and Software (CIDS)
Related Services
Develop a master plan for the City's current and future CIDS infrastructure
Provide Wireless Technology Zones in public areas throughout the City
Objective 5: Retain and Attract Business in Construction
Create, tailor and market programs that assist and encourage construction entrepreneurs
in acquiring low-cost bonding
Objective 6: Retain and Attract Business in Healthcare and Social Assistance
Create a mechanism to adopt health care facility master plans to provide institutions with
predictability in the development review process
Amend the Zoning Code to broaden the definition of Health Clinics to include non-
residential substance abuse treatment centers
Objective 7: Retain and Attract Business in Hospitality and Tourism
Create a Strategic Convention Center Area Master Plan
Install environmental and aesthetic improvements around tourist areas
Objective 8: Retain and Attract Port-Related Industries (See EARN Goal 1, Objective 1,
Strategy 2 and EARN Goal 3, Objective 2, Strategy 3)
Goal 2: Improve Labor Force Participation Rate Among City Residents
Objective 1: Align Employers with Job Seekers and Training Resources
Create a Strategic Plan for MOED that links employers to job seekers
Monitor and enforce First Source Hiring program
Expand outreach to encourage use of One-Stop Employment Centers
Target MOED resources to under- and un-employed populations to better connect job
seekers and employers
Prioritize drug treatment program access for job seekers working with MOED programs
Give preference for City-subsidized contracts to contractors with active apprenticeship
programs
Objective 2: Increase Qualifications/Skill Sets of City Residents (See LEARN, GOAL 3,
Objective 3)
Goal 3: Improve Access to Jobs and Transportation Linkages between Businesses
Objective 1: Enhance Transportation Options to Provide Workers with Commuting Options
and Mitigate Traffic Congestion
Expand the number of participants in the Commuter Choice program throughout the
Baltimore Region
Support efforts to implement the Baltimore Regional Rail Plan and its Red and Green
Line priority segments
Implement Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategies with large employers
and institutions
Implement Bicycle Master Plan
Increase number of water taxi stops near employment locations
Objective 2: Promote Economic Development Throughout the City by Improving Business-
to-business Connectivity via Transportation Linkages
Restore and increase on-street parking in mixed-use and business districts
Create Transit-Oriented Development zoning and incentive programs for transit nodes
throughout the City (i.e. State Center, West Baltimore Marc)
Integrate land use and transportation planning to ensure movement of freight into and
throughout the City
Capture share of regional growth in defense-related industries due to BRAC
PLAY
Goal 1: Enhance the Enjoyment, Appreciation, and Stewardship of Baltimore's Historical
and Cultural Resources
Objective 1: Market, Develop, and Promote Visitor Attractions in Baltimore City
Market and promote the City through increased funding for BACVA and BCHA
Develop new visitor centers and enhance existing visitor centers
Complete pedestrian and automobile-oriented wayfinding system to help visitors navigate
Baltimore's Heritage Area attractions
Pursue designation of Baltimore as a National Heritage Area
Prepare for the bicentennial anniversary of the War of 1812
Objective 2: Increase Everyday Historical and Cultural Encounters for Baltimore City
Residents
Implement Heritage trails in historic areas of the City
Teach American History using Baltimore's history museums, establishing links to the
City's public and private school curriculums
Support special events and festivals by improving festival space and infrastructure
throughout the City
Objective 3: Enhance Accessibility to Historical and Cultural Resources through
Transportation Improvements
Develop plans for and implement Charles Street Trolley Line
Implement Charles Street Scenic Byway Plan
Objective 4: Strengthen Stewardship of Historical and Cultural Resources
Expand "Authentic Baltimore" program and link to Baltimore City Historic landmark
program
Create more effective management agreements by completing inventory of City-owned
historic/cultural sites and attractions
Implement a feasibility study to enhance and reuse under-utilized historic structures
Objective 5: Establish Baltimore City as the Region's Center of Culture and Entertainment
Establish regional policy to increase regional funding resources for cultural activities
within Baltimore City
Goal 2: Improve Night Life, Entertainment, and Recreation Experiences for Residents and
Visitors
Objective 1: Expand Access to Night Life
Create Mixed-use zoning categories that allow live entertainment where appropriate
Objective 2: Promote Unique Retail Venues as Shopping and Tourist Destinations
Reinstate the "Shuttle Bug" system along main streets and shopping districts within the
City
Designate Main Street areas as local and/or national historic districts in order to access
tax credits
Increase retail space downtown by 400,000 sq. ft. to 1 million sq. ft.
Designate and support Art and Entertainment Districts
Objective 3: Improve Local Participation in City Recreational Activities
Develop a strategic recreational plan that will target recreational opportunities to address
the City's needs
Implement Bicycle Master Plan to provide recreational opportunities for residents
Goal 3: Increase the Health of Baltimore's Natural Resources and Open Spaces for
Recreation and to Improve Water Quality
Objective 1: Maintain a Well-managed System of Parks & Open Spaces
Draft and adopt a City-wide plan for parks and open space
Locate dedicated, sustainable public and private funding sources for our parks and
cultural assets
Create park and open space zone in the Zoning Code
Improve park stewardship and safety by expanding current parks partnership program
Objective 2: Protect and Enhance Baltimore's Natural Habitat and Environmental
Resources
Meet the goals and requirements of the Chesapeake Bay Program, the City's National
Pollution Elimination Discharge Permit (NPDES) and Tributary Strategies
Develop a Waterway Trash Management Plan to ensure compliance with the National
Pollutant Elimination Discharge Permit
Develop a Waterway Trash Management Plan to ensure compliance with the National
Pollutant Elimination Discharge Permit
Construct 1 ultra-urban Best Management Practices (BMP) per year as identified in the
Watershed 263 Plan
Restore and protect at least 1 mile per year of streams and river banks in floodplains and
stream valleys
Target sidewalk, lighting and signal improvements near parks and open space
Develop a plan to reduce trash within and along Baltimore's parks and open space
Complete plans for and creation of Greenway trail system
Increase Baltimore's green infrastructure by increasing the number of trees and tree canopy size (See LIVE, Goal 1, Objective 3, Strategy 6)
Objective 3: Ensure Public Access to the Waterfront
Complete the Harbor Promenade and Middle Branch park/trail systems
LEARN
REVISED Goal 1: Improve Public Schools and Libraries
Objective 1: Adopt Facilities Master Plan to Better Utilize School Facilities
Eliminate poor building conditions within school facilities
Create school facilities that effectively support learning, teaching, and community
activities
Develop and implement menu of options for greening at least 3 school facilities per year
Objective 2: Enhance Schools and Libraries as Neighborhood Assets
Develop a Community Schools Policy to facilitate the use of school buildings beyond the
school day
Create a dozen community school centers, with dedicated space for community uses
Ensure access to public library services for all residents
Ensure reuse of surplus school facilities is timely and compatible with surrounding
neighborhoods
Goal 2: Capitalize on Untapped Potential of Higher Education Institutions
Objective 1: Attract & Retain College Students & Recent Graduates
Market Baltimore as a higher education hub and a great place to live and work after
college
Increase funding for internships, service learning, fellowships, and mentoring for students
pursuing higher education
Objective 2: Encourage Partnerships Between and Among Universities and the City
Establish a City liaison to integrate higher education institutions into the City's economic
development program
Create a mechanism to adopt campus master plans
Objective 3: Improve the Physical Relationship Between Campuses and Adjacent
Neighborhoods
Develop a new zoning district that encompasses mixed-use development related to
residential neighborhoods, college, and universities
Goal 3: Encourage a Culture of Learning by Enhancing Educational and Vocational
Opportunities for all Baltimoreans
Objective 1: Improve and Expand School Readiness Opportunities for Baltimoreans 5 Years
Old and Younger
Prioritize City funding for school readiness related activities
Increase opportunities to locate school readiness programs and support services in public
schools, such as "Judy Centers"
Co-locate tot lots at schools
Objective 2: Improve and Expand Workforce Development and Job Readiness through
Education and Job Training (See Earn, Goal 2, Objective 1)
Objective 3: Improve and Expand Learning Opportunities for all Baltimoreans to Create
Active and Well-educated Citizens
Create a coordinating entity for lifelong learning service providers
Create opportunities for continuing education programs to locate in Baltimore
Broaden access to job training centers and increase awareness of professional
development opportunities
Goal 4: Ensure Safe and Convenient Transportation to and from Educational Facilities
Objective 1: Improve Pedestrian and Bicycle Access to Schools
Implement "Safe Routes to School" Program at schools
Implement physical improvements near educational facilities to ensure safe access
Coordinate Implementation of Bicycle Master Plan with school facilities plan
Objective 2: Encourage the use of public transit to travel to schools
Develop transit routes, schedules and amenities to provide reliable transportation to
schools
Integrate college based shuttle services with public transit
Make reduced fare transit programs available to all college students.
Starting in October 2005, in order to seek early stakeholder input, the Department of Planning administered surveys. In addition to outreach in the form of surveys, the Department conducted open houses and conducted meetings with advisory and stakeholder groups composed of individuals professionally engaged in matters closely related to each team's area of focus.
On June 15, 2006, the Planning Commission approved and adopted the Baltimore City Comprehensive Master Plan.
SECTION 1. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That after having reviewed the Baltimore City Comprehensive Master Plan and after conducting a public hearing, the Baltimore City Comprehensive Master Plan, as revised May 22, 2006, is adopted as the City's official Master Plan.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That after enactment of this Resolution, a copy of the Resolution and the Master Plan adopted by it be sent to the Mayor, Maryland State Department of Planning, Mayor's Office of Employment Development, Department of Finance, Health Department, Baltimore City Heritage Area, Baltimore Housing (Dept. of Housing & Community Development/Housing Authority of Baltimore City), Law Department, Department of Legislative Reference, Mayor's Office of Minority Business Development, Mayor's Office of Neighborhoods, Department of Planning, Police Department, Department of Public Works, Department of Recreation and Parks, the Department of Transportation, the Commission on Aging, Retirement and Education, the Mayor's Commission on Disabilities, the Enoch Pratt Free Library System, the Baltimore City Public School System, and the Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals.
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this Resolution takes effect on the date it is enacted.
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