The Baltimore City Land Use and Transportation Committee voted to recommend Council Bill 2500006, a set of zoning-code modifications, favorable to the full City Council at its March 27 meeting, after adopting a set of agency and member amendments.

The bill, discussed at 10:28 a.m., was amended to change how long a zoning variance remains valid, to alter off-street parking requirements for small multi-unit conversions, to clarify rules about expanding nonconforming structures, and to keep a newspaper advertising requirement in the local code. Committee chair Ryan Dorsey moved the bill favorable as amended and the roll call showed six yes votes and one absence; the committee recorded the recommendation as favorable to the full council.

Why it matters: The package alters practical implementation of the zoning code for property owners and applicants — notably by changing the milestone that preserves an approved variance and by loosening parking requirements for very small multiunit conversions — while preserving a local notice provision that the committee said aligns with state law.

Key amendments and discussion

Variance timeline: The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) presented an amendment that keeps a two-year limit on variances but replaces the requirement that the applicant secure a use-and-occupancy permit within two years with a requirement that "substantial construction" has occurred during that period. Jason Wright of DHCD said the amendment captures the department's intent and offered to answer follow-up questions by email if needed. Councilman Parker asked who determines what constitutes "substantial" construction; DHCD said it would follow up with a more specific answer.

Parking for small conversions: Chair Ryan Dorsey revised an earlier drafting on off-street parking to limit the exemption to situations creating up to three dwellings. Under the amendment discussed by the committee, projects that create three or fewer dwelling units may be exempted from off-street parking requirements; creating four units would require four off-street parking spaces. Dorsey described the change as a narrower, drafting-focused revision intended to better align the amendment with the bill's aims.

Nonconforming structures: Dorsey added an amendment to remove conflicting language in the code that previously appeared to both allow and prohibit expanding the use of a nonconforming structure. The change leaves the new, clearer process in place and deletes the contradictory sentence so the rule reads logically.

Proof of representation and public notice: The planning department's amendments reinstated an existing requirement that applicants who act as an owner's representative for a variance must present written evidence of that representation. The planning package also reversed an earlier first-reader deletion of a newspaper-advertising requirement; the committee said state law requires the advertising, so leaving it in the local zoning code makes the obligation clearer for applicants. During that discussion the chair thanked public commenters Joan Floyd and Michelle Lafave for raising the point.

Parking Authority concerns: Amber Brzezinski of the Baltimore Parking Authority registered concerns that waiving off-street parking for small conversions could intensify parking pressure in neighborhoods already short on spaces. Brzezinski said the authority has seen densely developed areas where curb space is limited and noted permit rules in cited dense neighborhoods: "Each unit can have up to 4, say, in Ridgeley's and 1 visitor pass," she said, explaining how permit allocations affect local demand. Committee members asked whether the authority maintains a citywide set parking-rate standard for new developments; Brzezinski said no universal rate exists and that needs vary by block and neighborhood.

Votes at a glance

- Blanchard amendments (package) — adopted (voice vote). Motion moved; no opposing votes recorded.
- DHCD amendment (variance "substantial construction" language, sans comma after "unless") — adopted (voice vote). Jason Wright represented DHCD.
- Dorsey amendment package (including parking exemption up to three dwellings and clarifying nonconforming-structure language) — adopted (voice vote).
- Parker amendment — adopted (voice vote).
- Planning department amendments (proof of representative, retain newspaper advertising) — adopted (voice vote).
- Final motion: Recommend Council Bill 2500006 favorable to the City Council as amended — moved by Chairman Ryan Dorsey; roll call: Dorsey yes, Vice President Sharon Green Middleton yes, Councilwoman Felicia Porter yes, Councilman John Bullock yes, Councilman Paris Gray yes, Councilman Parker yes; Councilman Blanchard absent. Outcome: recommendation favorable (6–0–1).

Discussion vs. decision: Several items were debated (for example, what constitutes "substantial construction" for the variance change and parking impacts in dense neighborhoods) without further definition; DHCD committed to follow up with a written clarification. The committee took formal action only on the listed amendments and the final recommendation to the full council.

What's next: The committee's recommendation forwards the amended bill to the full Baltimore City Council for consideration at the next council meeting. Chair Dorsey closed the hearing and noted a related public infrastructure item — a repair at Lake Montebello that will reopen the loop — before adjourning the committee.

Ending note: The committee recessed after completing the roll call and recording the recommendation.