Some Howard County developers are now free from the snags caused by a controversial resident-initiated rezoning referendum that was overturned by the state?s second-highest court.
“That?s good; now I probably don?t have to go back,” said Marriottsville resident Chris Morsberger, whose proposal to rezone his land stalled after 7,000 residents signed a petition to put proposed zoning changes on November?s election ballot.
Activists had organized a petition drive to put almost 40 comprehensive zoning changes ? known as the “Comp Lite” bill ? to a resident vote, but the state?s Court of Special Appeals recently decided the petition was invalid because it did not accurately summarize what the changes would do.
County officials have said they do not intend to appeal the decision, meaning land owners with lots mentioned in the bill will not have to wait out the results of the referendum to begin building.
Morsberger said he was applying for a specific zoning change to build on his property near Alpha Ridge Park in Marriottsville to circumvent the referendum logjam, but no longer had to.
“I?d have gotten it anyway,” he said. “But now it?s easier.”
Howard County Planning and Zoning Director Marsha McLaughlin said because the bill affects each property owner differently, the department would likely meet with each property owner and discuss the process.
While some residents are rejoicing, activists unhappy with developers? push to build on the county?s shrinking open space are scrambling to figure out what the decision means for their agenda.
“We don?t know. We really don?t know,” said Angela Beltram, a member of the Citizens for an Open Process for Everyone coalition that rallied to collect the signatures. “We have no rights. I don?t know what the heck the courts were thinking.”
McLaughlin said it was understandable that residents were concerned about the change.
“We will be working with all of the interested parties to come up with a solution,” she said.
