Details of Baltimore's Zoning Code Rewrite

"In 1971, Richard Nixon was president, gas cost 40 cents a gallon, bell bottoms were in style, and Baltimore's current zoning code was passed. A lot has changed since then, and Baltimore is rewriting its code in an effort to keep up," writes Gregory Friedman in a post that explains the potential effects of the zoning code process underway in Baltimore.

According to Friedman's analysis, the changes to Baltimore's zoning code would "provide a big boost for smart growth" by allowing for denser development and less parking in areas around rail transit stations. The new code also creates a new use category called Industrial Mixed-Use, which allows the adaptive reuse of obsolete industrial buildings for new life as live-work spaces or " workshops for industrial entrepreneurs." Friedman also notes the Neighborhood Commercial provision, where "structures in rowhouse neighborhoods that were once used as corner stores can once again be used for business."

The article goes on to detail the political delays holding up the approval of the zoning code, including the big question of whether to allow the City Council approval; power over certain conditional uses. Friedman concludes by listing the organizations doing the most work to support the changes included in the proposed zoning code.