Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Proposed Westminster Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone worksheet

Proposed Westminster Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone worksheet



My worksheet for the November 8 2010 Westminster mayor and common council discussion of the proposed Westminster Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone… Find an accompanying set of documents here: http://www.scribd.com/document_collections/2712718

Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zones to be considered by the Westminster mayor and common council on November 8, 2010.

As a result of the feedback from Westminster residents in the development of the (a) 2008 Westminster Community Visions Survey and the (b) 2009 Comprehensive Plan, the city of Westminster is continuing to move forward with a series of zoning changes and enhancements.

According to the city of Westminster website, “The State of Maryland requires comprehensive plans to be updated every six years.  The 2009 Comprehensive Plan Update began in October 2007 followed by the coordination of the first Westminster resident survey in the summer of 2008.

“The City hosted a series of community workshops in the fall of 2008 that offered residents the opportunity to voice their ideas about the future of their community. In the winter of 2009, the planning staff combined the results of the survey and the feedback from the workshops, to create the 2008 Community Vision Report.

“This report served as the base of the Comprehensive Plan Update process. Each element in the 2009 Comprehensive Plan begins with a description from the (c) 2008 Community Vision Report.”

One the zoning enhancements being considered is Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone for properties currently zones R-7,500 and R-10,000, which arguably comprises the bulk of where folks live in Westminster.

Recently, the Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zones came before the (d) Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission in the form of two specific legislative initiatives which include: Zoning Text Amendment No. ZTA 10-3 – “Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone” and Sectional Zoning Map Amendment No. SMA 10-1 – “Belle Grove Square Neighborhood” and “Willis Street Neighborhood.”

(e) A public hearing notice was posted in the local newspaper of record [for the Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission to put on its (f) October 14, 2010 agenda a public hearing for proposed zoning changes in two historic Westminster neighborhoods.

The purpose of the public hearing on October 14 to hear citizen comments and subsequently deliberate for approval or disapproval of Zoning Text Amendment No. ZTA 10-3 and and Sectional Zoning Map Amendment No. SMA 10-1.

The ad noted, “The proposed text and sectional map amendments are available for public inspection at Winchester West, 56 West Main Street, Westminster, MD during normal business hours in the office of the Zoning Administrator.”

A public hearing notice document was also placed on the city’s website, dated September 30, 2010 that indicated that the Westminster mayor and common council would hold a public hearing on November 8 on Zoning Text Amendment No. ZTA 10-3 which was subsequently introduced at (g) the October 11 common council meeting as Ordinance 816.  The Ordinance is sponsored by councilmembers Greg Pecoraro and Dr. Robert Wack.

(h) Ordinance 816 – Zoning Text Amendment 10-3 would amend the text of Chapter 164 of the Westminster City Code by adding a new article VIVD to create a “Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone.”

Section 164-45.25 introduces, “The Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone (NP Zone) is intended to provide for the preservation of the historic character and physical setting of the city’s traditional neighborhoods by promoting residential uses and directing more intense uses to other suitable locations.

“The Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone is a mapped zone which is superimposed over properties included in the R-7,500 residential zone and R-10,000 residential in certain traditional residential neighborhoods.  Once properties are included in the Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone, any development or use of such properties are subject to its provisions.”

This indicates that once Ordinance 816 - Zoning Text Amendment 10-3 is approved; all of Westminster that is currently zoned R-7,500 and R-10,000, according to the (i b) 2009 Westminster zoning map found in Chapter 54; are eligible to be placed under the provisions of the Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone.  (j1) (See Chap 164 ARTICLE VI R-10,000 Residential Zone (§ 164-28 — § 164-33.) (j2) (See Westminster City Code Chap 164 ARTICLE VII R-7,500 Residential Zone (§ 164-34 — § 164-39.)

However, a specific area can only be placed into, and thereafter subject to the provisions of the Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone by way of a Sectional map Amendment according to “Procedure” section, 164-45.31, of the proposed changes in Chapter 164.

Moreover, under the “Inclusion of Additional Neighborhoods section, 164-45.32, of the proposed changes, “The city will partner with its Historic District Commission … to identify additional traditional residential neighborhoods for potential inclusion in the Neighborhood Preservation Zone as an integral component of an overall preservation plan for Westminster.

“This important work not only helps to implement the city’s comprehensive plan by focusing attention on the perseveration and improvement of the city’s traditional residential neighborhoods, but also by initiating a dialog among city government and its residents about the look, feel and character of Westminster.”

Section three of the proposed Ordinance 816 indicates, “City staff shall focus city programs, including but not limited to residential façade loans… and related historic programs and rehabilitation programs of the city, to properties included in the Neighborhood Preservation Zone.”

The proposed 164-45.31 proscribes, “An application for zonal classification in the Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone may be made only by a Sectional Map Amendment.”

A Sectional Map Amendment for the inclusion of the Belle Grove Square and Willis Street neighborhoods was filed simultaneously by the mayor and council on September 30, 2010.  (k) (See [20100930 SMA10-1-Belle Grove Square and Willis Street Neighborhood.]  City of Westminster Sectional Zoning Map Amendment – SMA#10-1)

(l) A public hearing notice was placed on the city’s website, on or about October 12, that indicated that the Westminster mayor and council will receive the public’s input on Zoning Text Amendment No. ZTA 10-3 and Sectional Zoning Map Amendment No. SMA 10-1 on November 8, 2010.

(m) For an in-depth understanding of the city’s zoning initiative see the staff report and recommendation for the proposed Zoning Text Amendment and Sectional Map Amendment which may be found here: http://www.scribd.com/The-Westminster-city-SMA-10-1-Staff-Report-and-Recommendationn/d/41650007

Documents cited:


























(l) A public hearing notice was placed on the city’s website, on or about October 12, that indicated that the Westminster mayor and council will receive the public’s input on Zoning Text Amendment No. ZTA 10-3 and Sectional Zoning Map Amendment No. SMA 10-1 on November 8, 2010.

(m) For an in-depth understanding of the city’s zoning initiative see the staff report and recommendation for the proposed Zoning Text Amendment and Sectional Map Amendment which may be found here: http://www.scribd.com/The-Westminster-city-SMA-10-1-Staff-Report-and-Recommendationn/d/41650007

20101021 sdosm Neighborhood Preservation Zone

Agenda for the Westminster MD mayor and Common Council meeting for November 8, 2010                                                                                                                                


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