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Showing posts with label Westminster PZ Nborhood Pres Overlay Zone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Westminster PZ Nborhood Pres Overlay Zone. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Westminster officials adopt controversial zoning changes

Westminster officials adopt controversial zoning changes

By Kevin Dayhoff 12:00 noon, Tuesday, November 23, 2010

At the meeting of the Westminster Common Council Monday night, Westminster officials finalized the adoption of a controversial sectional map amendment zoning change for the Willis Street and Belle Grove Square neighborhoods.

By a three-to-zero vote, councilmembers approved provisions for a Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone for the R-7,500 and R-10,000 residential zones contained in the two older Westminster neighborhoods.

Councilmember Suzanne Albert, herself a Willis Street resident, abstained from voting noting that the initiative has polarized the otherwise close-knit neighborhood and cited a desire for the residents of the neighborhood to have more opportunity to become familiar with the proposed zoning changes

In a September 30 memo, city administrator Marge Wolf explained that the purpose of the zoning changes contained in Ordinance 818 was to “minimize the impact of commercial development on the adjacent properties and preserve the historic character of the exiting structures and lots in certain historic single-family neighborhoods…”

The two neighborhoods involved in the adopted zoning changes are steeped in history and tradition in Westminster.

The origins of Belle Grove Square date back to approximately June 1875 when George and Maria Matthews developed an annexed portion of farmland and woods known as “Matthews’ Addition.”  The housing development contained “thirty lots bounded by West Green, Bond, Matthews (now Park Place) and Park Streets,” according to research for the Historical Society of Carroll County by Jay Graybeal.

The Matthews named the neighborhood and city park area “Belle Grove Square after their daughter Belle Matthews.

The Willis Street neighborhood was developed from the farm of Colonel John K. Longwell, who also built what is now known as Westminster City Hall, in 1842. 

Longwell died in 1896 and the farm was left to his daughter, Sallie, who developed a portion of the farm into a housing development.  “A plat of this area surveyed in 1907, referred to it as ‘Longwell's Addition to Westminster,’” according to a newspaper article by J. Leland Jordan on Friday, August 7th, 1942 entitled “Westminster’s City Hall,” and an article by Dorothy Elderdice a couple of years later, around 1945, entitled “History of Carroll.  John Longwell: A Founding Father”.

It is not known if any commercial uses are currently being proposed for either neighborhood.  Over the years both neighborhoods have remained relatively unchanged without specific zoning protections.  Historically, some small shops and businesses have existed on Willis Street.  However, they went away many years ago.

Although, before zoning law was placed in the Westminster City Code on November 5, 1979, a significant number of the homes in both neighborhoods have been adapted into multi-domicile dwellings as the larger homes were converted into apartments.  Almost half of all the residences on Willis Street are multi-family units.

The Belle Grove Square community has worked with the city since at least 2008 to have zoning protections put in place to prevent further changes from taking place in the neighborhood.

However, the initiative to place zoning restrictions on the Willis Street area appears to have been spurred after Pat Martin - the owner of the Weller property at the corner of Willis and Center Streets, 170 Willis St. - had a neighborhood garden party on September 11. 

It was at that time in which plans were unveiled to transform the large stately home into a multi-domicile assisted living residential facility by 2012.

On September 27 the Westminster mayor and common council met in “executive session” in a closed meeting after the regular council meeting.  Days later, on September 30 the mayor and Common Council filed to amend Chapter 164 of the Westminster City Code and introduce the neighborhood historic preservation initiative.

The proposed Section 164-45.25 states, “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.”

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.”

Meanwhile, under the zoning law for the Martin-Weller property at the time of the September 11 garden party, Martin would have had to present plans for the property to the Westminster Board of Zoning Appeals under Section 164-35 and 36 of the Westminster City Code.

The new zoning law removes Martin’s option to adaptively re-use the property for a multi-family residential assisted-living.

Martin had purchased the greatly deteriorated Weller property around 2000 and saved it from demolition.  For the past decade he has historically restored the property to its former glory. 

Although it would have been a lot cheaper, laughed Martin nervously - - demolishing the property and replacing it with a new structure not in keeping with the character of the neighborhood was never an option for him, said Martin in an earlier interview. 

It was an oblique reference to a modern semi-detached multi-family structure built in recent memory down the street in among several longstanding apartment buildings that are not in keeping with the other stately large homes on the balance of the street – several of which have not changed on the outside but have been converted into apartments.

The proposed initiative caught many Willis Street residents by surprise in spite of the fact that three of the five members of the Common Council live in the affected neighborhood. 

As many as 30 residents spoke at a November 8 public hearing held by the mayor and council.  Many spoke in favor of the zoning protections and many expressed a desire to prevent the assisted-living project and offered anecdotal suggestions that lawyers and doctors have, in the past, wanted to purchase properties in the neighborhood for offices.

On November 8, other residents from Willis Street expressed concerns about the proposed zoning changes and most of the residents who spoke expressed dismay at how quickly city officials were moving forward with the initiative and wanted more time to acquaint themselves with the potential impact on their properties. 

It was noted by many of the residents at the public hearing that they had received no notification of the impending changes and wanted more information before the city moved forward.

Requests to city officials for additional documents concerning the proposed zoning changes were unanswered by deadline on 12:00 noon on Tuesday when this was filed.

After the public hearing, Ordinance 818 sponsored by councilmembers Councilmember Dr. Robert Wack and Greg Pecoraro was introduced by the council members at the November 8 meeting and the council decided not to keep the public hearing record open for further public comment.

Some residents noted that they did not learn of the proposed changes until after the Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing on October 14 on the zoning legislation and a public notification that had been placed in the local newspaper of record was called to their attention. 

Other residents remarked that they only became aware of the initiative until neighbors in the relatively close-knit area of town called it to their attention days before the November 8 public hearing.

As a result of the testimony at the public hearing, city officials called an information meeting the following Monday, on November 15, and furthermore actively discussed separating the Willis Street portion of the proposed zoning changes out of the legislation. 

It was noted at last night’s meeting that “40 to 45 people attended the one-hour to one-and-a-half hour meeting” on November 15 and that it was a “healthy discussion… cordial … civil” and that the city got good feedback from the residents.

Last Monday night, Wack asked Beyard, “has anyone asked for more information” since the informational question and answer meeting.

Beyard responded that he has continued to get questions every day…

At the council meeting Monday night, Beyard reported that at the request of the mayor and council, four alternatives were being offered to the council for consideration. 

Option 1 included both neighborhoods and expanded the area being proposed for the overlay zone.  As discussed after the November 8 public hearing by councilmembers; option 2 of Ordinance 818 contained language that would allow Belle Grove Square to move forward with the heightened zoning protections but separated Willis Street from the initiative for further study.

Option 3 involved the introduction of Ordinance 823 for a do-over of the process that many residents had considered flawed by the lack of the city “initiating a dialog among city government and its residents about the look, feel and character of” the neighborhood as called for in the 2009 Comprehensive Plan.

And finally option 4 – do nothing.

Wack then noted that the proposed zoning changes for Willis Street had become a “divisive emotional issue” and that residents have continued to ask the council to wait.

The problem is, “at the end of the day, we need to make some sort of a decision,” said Wack, who further cited that the opinions of the neighborhood fell into several groups.  There are those who oppose it, a small group in the middle, and a group in favor.

It was noted that at the public hearing, the neighborhood was somewhat evenly divided between folks against the proposed protections and those against it. 

However, by last Monday night’s council meeting, most of the neighborhood was for the changes, according to Wack.

One group does not understand the proposed changes and wants the council to wait.  Some are opposed to any restrictions on their property and some who feel that the existing procedures will protect the neighborhood, said Wack.

But “once the process of commercialization starts, it’s hard to stop,” said Wack, indicating the immediacy of the need for the council to act now and not wait.

It is not known if Martin was preparing to file an application for the assisted-living facility with the zoning appeals board in the near future – or not.

“I’m prepared to move forward…  I think we have done a pretty good job of involving the community,” said Wack in response to residents who have complained that the city has left too many residents in the dark.

Wack said that he was not hearing of any additional movement on the part of the group that opposed or those who agreed at this point in the deliberations.

He observed that many of those who were initially opposed or in the middle, supported the zoning changes after they learned more about the additional protections.

Councilmembers Tony Chiavacci and Greg Pecoraro and council president, Damian Halstad agreed with Wack’s assessment.

Albert reiterated her concerns that the proposed legislation has had a “polarizing effect” on the Willis Street neighbors heretofore known for its cohesiveness.

Chiavacci joined Wack in noting that in all their conversations with Westminster residents outside of the Willis Street neighborhood, everyone wanted historic zoning protection for Willis Street

He noted “the divisiveness that has been in Willis Street” since the proposed changes came to light.  However, “I couldn’t find a single person that did not want to protect Willis Street,” Chiavacci said.

“I went into this thinking it was going to be an easy decision.  That was not the case,” lamented Chiavacci.

“It wasn’t an easy decision.”

During the citizen comment portion of the council meeting, former councilmember Rebekah Orenstein, a longstanding advocate for historic preservation in Westminster praised the councilmembers for making the difficult decision to protect the two Westminster neighborhoods with the preservation overlay.  “I know how difficult it is” to make such decisions.

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For more information, please see: Proposed Westminster Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone worksheet, November 8, 2010 by Kevin Dayhoff http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/11/proposed-westminster-neighborhood.html






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Monday, November 22, 2010

Westminster Common Council meeting agenda for November 22, 2010

AGENDA for the CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND Mayor and Common Council Meeting of November 22, 2010






At this point, e-mail requests and phone calls for the following information pertaining to this evening’s meeting have gone unanswered:

I hope you can help me with a couple of housekeeping and file maintenance items for a possible newspaper article for Explore Carroll or my website…

Is the “amended version one of Ordinance No. 818 Sectional Zoning Map Amendment No. SMA 10-1 and Accompanying Written Decision – “Belle Grove Square Neighborhood and Willis Street Neighborhood” available on the city’s website?  If not, may I have a copy of it?

May I have a copy of the transcript of the November 8, 2010 public hearing on SMA 10-1?

Are the minutes from the October 14, 2010 Planning and Zoning meeting posted on the website?  I do not seem to be able to find any of the PZ minutes for 2010 posted?  (http://www.westgov.com/citygov/citygov_pandz_minutes.html)  May I have a copy of the October 14, 2010 PZ meeting minutes?

May I have a copy of the letter notifying the Willis Street residents about the November 8, 2010 public hearing for the proposed zoning changes?

May I have a copy of the letter notifying the Willis Street residents of the Monday, November 15, 2010 community meeting?

Thanks a lot for your time.

For more information, please see:









Also see:



The Westminster city staff report and recommendation for the proposed Zoning Text Amendment and Sectional Map Amendment…

Ordinance 816 – Zoning Text Amend 10-3 to amend Westminster City Code Chap 164 (http://www.scribd.com/doc/41609339/Ordinance-816-%E2%80%93-Zoning-Text-Amend-10-3-to-amend-Westminster-City-Code-Chap-164) 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.”

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.  (See [20100930 SMA10-1-Belle Grove Square and Willis Street Neighborhood.] City of Westminster Sectional Zoning Map Amendment – SMA#10-1)

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.”

A public hearing notice document was 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 the October 11 common council meeting as Ordinance 816.  The Ordinance is sponsored by councilmembers Greg Pecoraro and Dr. Robert Wack.

20100930 Ord 816 ZTA10-3-NhborhoodPresOverlayZone

See also:

















zoning, historic, preservation, Westminster, Maryland, Carroll County, planning and zoning commission, Willis Street, hearing, Ordinance, Chapter 164

Chap 164 Art 6 28 R10000 pdf sdosm  Westminster City Code Chap 164 ARTICLE VI R-10,000 Residential Zone (§ 164-28 — § 164-33)  http://www.scribd.com/doc/41615744/j-Chap-164-Art-6-28-R10000  This document delineates how Chap 164 with respect to how the zoning code for R-10,000 of the Westminster City Code reads…






(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.



Also related:

“Possible zoning changes to shape downtown area”  Tuesday, October 26, 2010  By Brett Lake, Advocate Staff Writer
The effort to upgrade Westminster’s downtown area continues to push forward and changes may soon be coming downtown after a series of zoning amendments were approved by the Westminster Planning Commission…  http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/advocate_of_westminster/news/article_108bc134-e10b-11df-ad2e-001cc4c002e0.html 

WESTMINSTER: Arts, preservation zoning process moving forward”  Tuesday, November 9, 2010 By Peter Panepinto, Times Staff Writer
The Westminster Common Council approved two text amendments Monday night for the Arts and Culture Overlay Zone and the Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone.
More than 30 Westminster-area residents attended Monday night's meeting at city hall to oppose or support the proposed text amendments. The city's next step is to adopt zoning map amendments for each text amendment that was passed. The zoning map amendments were introduced Monday night… http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/article_8c0edeba-ebc2-11df-b4be-001cc4c002e0.html

“Zoning places assisted-living facility in limbo” Saturday, November 13, 2010  By Peter Panepinto, Times Staff Writer http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/article_41af73fc-eed8-11df-9f06-001cc4c002e0.html
Pat Martin intended to open an assisted-living home at 170 Willis St. in 2012, but his plan has been halted because of a zoning map amendment that would prevent any businesses from opening in the Westminster neighborhood.
"This would totally kill my plans for opening the facility," said Martin, a local remodeling contractor.
Martin purchased the old Weller property in 2000 with plans to restore it. He got the idea to open an assisted-living home from a friend who works in the health field in 2005.
But the Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone, introduced in October, is designed to preserve the historical and residential aspects of the Willis Street and Bell Grove Square neighborhoods. The Westminster Common Council approved an amendment at the last council meeting that moved the map amendment forward. More than 30 residents attended the meeting, and most said they weren't given notice on the overlay zone or how it would impact the neighborhood…  http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/article_41af73fc-eed8-11df-9f06-001cc4c002e0.html  If you go: What: Informational meeting on Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone When: 7 p.m. Monday Where: Westminster City Hall, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane, Westminster  http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/article_41af73fc-eed8-11df-9f06-001cc4c002e0.html

Further context:

Carroll County Times: Westminster MD’s Disregard for open government: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/07/carroll-county-times-westminster-mds.html

20080611 Carroll County Times editorial: No agenda is sign of poor government: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2008/06/20080611-carroll-county-times-editorial.html




20101122 sdosm MCC Agenda.

zoning, historic, preservation, Westminster, Maryland, Carroll County, planning and zoning commission, Willis Street, hearing, Ordinance, Chapter 164



Westminster Council Mtgs, Westminster Council Mtg Agenda, Westminster PZ Nborhood Pres Overlay Zone, Westminster Issues open transparent, People Martin Pat



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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                                                                                                                                


Saturday, October 30, 2010

The City of Westminster 2009 Comprehensive Plan was adopted on September 28, 2009.

The City of Westminster 2009 Comprehensive Plan was adopted on September 28, 2009.


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


~~ October 30, 2010 / Kevin Dayhoff

Comprehensive Plan

What is the purpose of the Comprehensive Plan?

The Comprehensive Plan is a master long-range plan intended to guide the growth and development of Westminster. The plan includes inventory and analytic sections leading to recommendations for the community's land use, economic development, housing, transportation, community facilities, water resources, urban design and resource allocation: all related to the community's goals and objectives.

What is the 2009 Comprehensive Plan?

The 2009 Comprehensive Plan is a document that can be used as an everyday tool for the City of Westminster administration. The public, local officials and City staff can refer to the 2009 Comprehensive Plan to not only better understand the community vision for the future but to also understand how planning can facilitate creating that vision.

The 2009 Comprehensive Plan embraces the principles of Smart Growth, and the State of Maryland’s 12 State planning visions, to serve as guidelines for future growth and development. The plan also gives recognition to Westminster’s partners in State, County and local organizations and agencies. As a small city, Westminster depends on these partnerships to build a sustainable and vibrant community.

Why did we update the Comprehensive Plan?

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 2008 Community Vision Report.

The City of Westminster 2009 Comprehensive Plan was adopted on September 28, 2009.











































Contact:

Melissa Hynes mhynes@westgov.com 410-848-7967

20090000 Comp Plan index with links

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