* 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 R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Clarke
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
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Request for State Action - Community Association Standing
FOR the purpose of respectfully requesting that the General Assembly adopt, and the Governor sign, legislation that would allow Baltimore City community associations the same access to the State court system for zoning disputes enjoyed by community associations in other Maryland jurisdictions.
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Recitals
Community associations in Baltimore serve many important roles. Besides their direct efforts to improve the areas they represent, many of Baltimore’s community associations act as vital links between residents and City government. These organizations also typically represent the interests of neighborhood residents in discussions with developers, and when liquor licenses or zoning changes are being approved.
Yet, when disputes about zoning compliance or changes must be decided by appeals before the Board of Municipal Zoning Appeals (BMZA) or state courts, community associations are often unable to continue to effectively represent the interests of their members by remaining parties to the dispute. Instead, since current law denies them standing to appeal zoning decisions to either the BMZA or the courts, community associations are often forced to step back from the most contentious disputes precisely when their involvement is most needed.
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