Proposals move ahead without public’s input
moncler outlet County officials say the panel acts as a sort of traffic officer, guiding projects through the county’s labyrinthine development review process. But some residents charge that it has become an all https://www.moncleroutlet-i.org too common stop for developers to sidestep community opposition to their plans. moncler outlet
moncler outlet serravalle Almost every commercial project in the county seemingly receives exemptions to public hearing requirements, said J. Carroll Holzer, a lawyer who frequently represents community associations in land use fights. „I think that’s a huge moncler donna abuse,“ he said. moncler outlet serravalle
piumini moncler Berchie moncler uomo Lee Manley, a former County Council member and a community activist in Catonsville, said the piumini moncler scontatissimi DRC has become too powerful, moncler saldi outlet and the review process should be revamped. piumini moncler
outlet moncler „It’s a part of the executive branch without any guidelines, without any oversight,“ she said. „There’s a serious problem with the DRC and how it is now functioning.“ outlet moncler
moncler donna The central criticism of the DRC was highlighted earlier this year in a case involving plans to construct an office building on land now occupied by a 19th century house. The DRC ruled that the plans did not require a community meeting because the new house would be a „refinement,“ or a relatively insignificant change to the previously approved development plan for the property, a retirement campus in Catonsville. moncler donna
piumini moncler saldi Residents opposed the ruling, and the county’s Board of Appeals overturned the decision, agreeing that the DRC was wrong to consider the new building a minor change. Critics say the case is an example of how developers are able to sidestep requirements for community meetings, even for projects as large as a big box store. piumini moncler saldi
moncler outlet trebaseleghe County officials say the panel closely follows the law that requires them to grant the exemptions. Even large buildings can be considered piumini moncler outlet insignificant additions, legally, if they have similar uses as other buildings on the property, they say. moncler outlet trebaseleghe
piumini moncler uomo And there are myriad other small scale projects, such as the moncler bambino saldi addition to a store and some property boundary adjustments, that are moncler outlet trebaseleghe inconsequential, county officials say. piumini moncler uomo
piumini moncler outlet „If you had a community hearing on everything that came before the DRC, the county would come to a standstill,“ said Donald T. Rascoe, moncler outlet online shop a county development manager who for years chaired the DRC. piumini moncler outlet
moncler outlet online uomo Officials say developers often volunteer to hold community meetings, even when they receive exemptions. And they point out that DRC decisions may be appealed through the county Board of Appeals. moncler moncler donna outlet online uomo
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moncler outlet online shop The DRC process „pretty moncler saldi much takes the community out of the picture,“ said Alan Zukerberg, an activist from Pikesville. „They’re left to basically complaining to their council person, and hope that they’re council person can play games.“ moncler outlet online shop
County Councilman Vincent J. Gardina said he is studying the issue and looking at whether the process needs to be changed. Zukerberg said piumini moncler uomo he is working with administration officials on setting up a meeting to discuss whether standards for allowing exemptions should be tightened.
moncler saldi The DRC is not the only panel in the region that reviews requests for amendments to existing plans. moncler saldi
moncler bambino saldi In Baltimore City, the Site Plan Review moncler outlet serravalle Committee, a consortium of government moncler outlet officials, performs a similar function, a planning official there said. Howard County has the Subdivision Review Committee. moncler bambino saldi
moncler saldi uomo The DRC was created in the early 1990s to make some administrative decisions open to the public, officials say. It consists of an official from each of the five piumini moncler saldi county agencies that review development proposals. moncler saldi uomo
moncler uomo They meet Monday afternoons in a cramped conference room in Towson. Members sit around a long table, and often hold several conversations at once as they pore over maps and question outlet moncler engineers moncler bambino outlet and lawyers standing behind them. moncler uomo
piumini moncler scontatissimi Residents are allowed to watch the meetings from chairs along the walls. Because the meeting is not a „hearing,“ they are only supposed to watch, though Rascoe piumini moncler said the DRC lets residents speak up if they want. piumini moncler scontatissimi
moncler bambino outlet Walt Smith, a development manager who has chaired the panel for several months, typically asks members for their thoughts and then decides whether to grant an exemption. He says he will often go on a member’s advice moncler bambino outlet.
