Planning Board
The Planning Board works in an advisory role to provide recommendations to the Baltimore County Council, County Executive and Administrative Law Judges—as established by the County Charter, County Code, Council bills and resolutions/Executive Order—on matters affecting land use, community development, and short- and long-range planning within Baltimore County.
Members of the Planning Board come from a variety of careers and professions, and provide different background knowledge and skill sets. These backgrounds include, but are not limited to:
- Business
- Education/Baltimore County Public Schools
- Experience in law
- Finance
- Real estate
- Research and data analysis
The 15-member body is comprised of seven members appointed by individual County Council members, and eight at-large individuals appointed by the County Executive. Members are eligible to receive an annual salary of $15,000, while the Chair is eligible to receive a salary of $20,000.
In November, County voters will be asked to support a Charter amendment that will require all appointments to be subject to County Council confirmation and to limit the number of terms for Planning Board members. If passed, this will be effective no later than January 1, 2025.
Advisory Responsibilities
The County Charter gives the Planning Board a major role in recommending the content of the Capital Program and Budget. The Board's other advisory responsibilities are established in the County Code or by Executive Order. They include making recommendations or decisions on:
- The Baltimore County Master Plan
- Area and special plans and other amendments to the Master Plan
- The Comprehensive Zoning Map Process
- Amendments to zoning and related regulations
- Functional plans, such as the Master Water and Sewerage Plan and Basic Services Maps
- Developments that conflict with the master plan or involve historic landmarks
- Review and formulation of the Capital Improvement Program
- Review of the Annual Development Impact Fee Reports
Staff Contact: 410-887-3482
MEETINGS
The Planning Board meets on the first and third Thursday of each month, excluding August and December. Special meetings of the Board or Committees are scheduled as necessary. All meetings are open to the public.
Unless otherwise noted, meetings begin at 4 p.m. in Room 104 at:
Jefferson Building
105 West Chesapeake Avenue
Towson, Maryland 21204
Meetings will conclude once the Board has addressed all items on the agenda, which may be earlier than the posted end time.
If, because of a disability, you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, call the Department of Planning at 410-887-3480 or via TTY, at 1-800-735-2258 or 711, at least two working days before the event.
For the majority of agenda items, the Board first conducts an advertised introduction and review at least two weeks before voting on its decisions or recommendations. Either through public hearings or scheduled opportunities during meetings, citizens can participate by offering verbal or written testimony. Written testimony sent in advance is always welcome. Use of the hearing room audio-visual equipment at public hearings is permitted if the Planning Board's policy is followed.
INFORMATION FOR PRESENTERS
It is advised that individuals giving presentations to the planning board present visual materials i.e. maps, plans, etc. using a digital format such as PowerPoint. Rendered site plans must be mounted and GIS aerials must be mounted or easily visible on an overhead projector.
All of the above items and a copy of the digital materials must be given to the Planning Board Manager, Taylor Bensley, at 410-887-3480 no later than 48 hours in advance. The presenter must arrive at the Planning Board a minimum of one half hour before the meeting to prepare for the actual presentation.
HOW TO TESTIFY
Citizens may register to address the Planning Board (for themselves or as representatives of organizations or clients) for certain agenda items. The chairman will announce the points during the Board’s deliberations (generally after the presentation by County staff and/or the applicant), at which this testimony will be received. Anyone wishing to testify can register in advance by emailing their name and phone number to tbensley@baltimorecountymd.gov before 3 p.m. on the date of the hearing. Each speaker testifying will be given two minutes to speak. Those who do not wish to speak at the hearing but want to share their thoughts can provide written comment or testimony via email or Webex chat. The specific rules of procedure for the testimony will be available during the Webex meeting.
For in-person meetings sign-in sheets will be provided in the Jefferson Building lobby outside of Room 104 for citizens to address the Board (for themselves or as representatives of organizations or clients). These sheets will be posted approximately half an hour prior to the Board Meeting start time.
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY
This policy will be implemented for the foreseeable future and will follow the actions of the County offices.
No meetings will be held when County offices are closed for the day, meetings will proceed as scheduled if County offices are under liberal leave status. For questions regarding the cancellation of a meeting, please call the office at 410-887-3482.
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
Past Events
Past Events
| Date | Details |
|---|---|
| January 5, 2023 |
Meeting Details: 4:30 pm Board Meeting. 5:00 pm Public Hearing: Ruxton Riderwood Lake Roland Area Community Plan Public Hearing immediately followed by reconvening of the Planning Board Meeting |
| January 19, 2023 |
Meeting Details: 4:00 pm: County Executive Presents Capital Improvement Program 4:45 pm: Public Hearing—Updates to the Comprehensive Manual of Development Policies, Section III: Commercial Development within the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line |
| January 24, 2023 |
Meeting Details: 5:30 pm: Department of Recreation and Parks Presentation Followed by: Office of Budget and Finance, Property Management Presentations Followed by: Baltimore County Public Library Presentation |
| January 26, 2023 |
Meeting Details: 5:30 pm: Department of Environmental Protection & Sustainability Presentation Followed by: Office of Information Technology Presentation Followed by: Department of Planning: Community Improvements and Land Preservation Presentations |
| February 2, 2023 |
Meeting Details: 4:00 PM: Board Meeting 4:30 PM: Basic Services Maps Public Hearing
5:30 pm: Baltimore County Public Schools Presentation Followed by: Community Colleges of Baltimore County Presentation |
| February 7, 2023 | Meeting canceled. |
| February 16, 2023 |
Meeting Details: 4:30 PM: Board Meeting 5:00 PM: Public Hearing on the BCZR Section 1B01.3.A.4 Form Immediately Following: Staff Recommendations on CIP and Planning Board CIP Committee Vote |
| February 21, 2023 | Planning Board CIP Committee Vote-Alternate Date - Canceled. |
| March 2, 2023 |
Meeting Details: 4:00 pm Planning Board meeting and Final Vote on CIP 5:00 pm Land Preservation, Recreation and Parks Plan 2022 Public Hearing |
| March 16, 2023 |
Meeting Details: 4:00 pm Board Meeting 5:00 pm Sparrows Point Country Club (Country Club Estates) Growth Allocation Requests for Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Public Hearing |
| March 30, 2023 |
Meeting Details: |
| April 20, 2023 |
Meeting Details: 4:15 pm Board Meeting 5:00 pm Public Hearing - Bedford Property, PAI # 08-0904, Growth Tier III |
| May 4, 2023 |
Meeting Details:
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| May 18, 2023 |
Meeting Details: 4:45 PM Board Meeting 5:00 PM Master Plan 2030 Public Hearing The May 18th Meeting and Public Hearing will be held virtually via WebEx. Anyone wishing to testify must register in advance by emailing their name and phone number to tbensley@baltimorecountymd.gov before 3 p.m. on the date of the hearing. Public testimony will begin after a detailed staff presentation on Master Plan 2030. Each speaker testifying will be given two minutes to speak. The specific rules of procedure for the testimony will be available during the WebEx meeting. Those who do not wish to speak at the hearing but want to share their thoughts can provide written comment or testimony via email, mail, or WebEx chat. Written comments should be provided by noon on Wednesday, May 17th, and may be provided one of two ways: By mail: Attn: Baltimore County Planning Board, Department of Planning, Jefferson Building 105 W. Chesapeake Avenue, Suite 101 Towson, Maryland 21204 By email: masterplan@baltimorecountymd.gov |
| June 1, 2023 |
Meeting Details:
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| June 8, 2023 |
Meeting Details:
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| June 15, 2023 |
Meeting Details:
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| June 29, 2023 |
Meeting Details:
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| July 6, 2023 | Meeting canceled. |
| July 20, 2023 |
Meeting Details: 4:30 PM: Board Meeting 5:00 PM: Public Hearing - Cycle 41 Water Supply and Sewerage Master Plan Amendments |
| September 7, 2023 |
Meeting Details: 4:00 PM Board Meeting 5:00 PM Public Hearing on the Department of Permits, Approvals, and Inspections (PAI) Policy Manual Updates: Development Management and Plan Review Policy Manual and Zoning Policy Manual |
| September 21, 2023 |
Meeting Details: 4:15 PM: Board Meeting 5:00 PM: Public Hearing on the Greater Middle River Design Guidelines |
| October 5, 2023 |
Meeting Details: 4:50 PM: Board Meeting 5:00 PM: Public Hearing on the Electric Vehicles Charging Stations Report Immediately followed by: Public Hearing on the Water Supply and Sewerage Plan 2023 Triennial Review To view the Water Supply and Sewerage Plan 2023 Triennial Review and Appendices please follow the steps below.
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| October 19, 2023 |
Meeting Details: 4:15 pm: Planning Board Meeting* 5:00 pm: Capital Improvement Program Fiscal Year (FY25 through FY30) - Citizen Input Meeting** *The Planning Board vote on the Electric Vehicles Charging Stations Report has been postponed to the Thursday, November 2nd, 2023 Board Meeting. **Anyone wishing to testify for the Citizen Input Meeting must use the sign-in sheets provided in the Jefferson Building lobby outside of Room 104 for citizens to address the Board (for themselves or as representatives of organizations or clients). These sheets will be posted approximately half an hour prior to the Board Meeting start time. Each speaker testifying will be given two minutes to speak. Those who do not wish to speak at the hearing but want to share their thoughts can provide written comments to jmeacham@baltimorecountymd.gov by Nov. 1, 2023. |
| November 2, 2023 |
Meeting Details: 4:00 PM Board Meeting |
| November 16, 2023 |
Meeting Details: 4:30 PM Board Meeting During the Board Meeting, the Planning Board approved the Electric Vehicles Charging Stations Report for Council Resolution 14-23 and the Short Term Rentals Report for Council Resolution 13-23, both as amended and available here. 5:00 PM Public Hearing on Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan |
| Date | Details |
|---|---|
| January 27, 2022 |
Meeting Details: The CIP Agency Presentation will be held via Webex. 5:30 pm Capital Improvement Program Agency Presentation: Department of Recreation and Parks Immediately followed by CIP Agency Presentation: Office of Budget and Finance, Property Management Immediately followed by CIP Agency Presentation: Baltimore County Public Library |
| February 1, 2022 |
Meeting Details: The CIP Agency Presentation will be held via Webex. 5:30 pm Capital Improvement Program Agency Presentation: Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability Immediately followed by CIP Agency Presentation: Office of Information Technology Immediately followed by CIP Agency Presentation: Department of Planning-Land Preservation, Department of Planning-Community Improvements |
| February 3, 2022 |
Meeting Details: The Planning Board Meeting and Public Hearing will be held via Webex. 4:15 pm Planning Board Meeting 4:30 pm Public Hearing: Basic Services Maps The CIP Agency Presentation will be held via Webex. 5:30 pm Capital Improvement Program Agency Presentation: Baltimore County Public Schools Immediately followed by CIP Agency Presentation: Community Colleges |
| February 8, 2022 | Meeting Canceled. |
| February 17, 2022 |
The Planning Board Meeting will be held virtually via Webex. Meeting Details: 4:30 pm Board Meeting. 5:00 pm Public Hearing: Transfer Station Amendment to 10 Year Solid Waste Management Plan – 7600 Rolling Mill Road
Public Hearing immediately followed by Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Staff Recommendations |
| February 22, 2022 | Meeting Canceled. |
| March 3, 2022 |
Meeting Details: The Planning Board Meeting will be held virtually via Webex. |
| March 24, 2022 | Meeting Canceled. |
| April 7, 2022 | Meeting has been canceled. |
| April 21, 2022 |
The Planning Board Meeting will be held virtually via Webex. Meeting Details: 3:45 Organizational Meeting 4:00 Planning Board Public Meeting Reports: Annual Growth Report (2021) Summary of the Annual Growth Report (2021) |
| May 5, 2022 | Meeting Canceled. |
| May 19, 2022 | Meeting canceled. |
| June 2, 2022 |
The Planning Board Meeting will be held virtually via Webex. Meeting Details: |
| June 16, 2022 |
The Planning Board Meeting will be held virtually via Webex. Meeting Details: |
| July 7, 2022 | Meeting canceled. |
| July 21, 2022 |
Meeting Details: 4:30: Planning Board Meeting 5:00: Public Hearing: Cycle 40 Water Supply and Sewerage Master Plan Amendments. * * Petition 22-005 633 Earls Road (Lafarge Quarry) has been withdrawn. |
| September 1, 2022 |
Meeting Details: 4:00 Planning Board Meeting 5:00 Public Hearing - New Facility Amendment to the Solid Waste Management Plan – Daniels Sharpsmart, Inc. – 1201 67th Street, Rosedale 21237 (Medical Waste) |
| September 15, 2022 |
Meeting Details: The September 15th Planning Board Agenda was revised on September 12th, 2022. The introduction of the PEH Organic Recycling Facility has been withdrawn and will be rescheduled for a later date. The public hearing for the PEH Organic Recycling Facility has been postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date. |
| October 6, 2022 |
Meeting Canceled. The public hearing for the PEH Organic Recycling Facility has been postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date. |
| October 20, 2022 |
Meeting Details: 4:50 p.m. Planning Board Meeting 5:00 p.m. Capital Improvement Program: *Citizen Input Meeting *Anyone wishing to testify for the Citizen Input Meeting must use the sign-in sheets provided in the Jefferson Building lobby outside of Room 104 for citizens to address the Board (for themselves or as representatives of organizations or clients). These sheets will be posted approximately half an hour prior to the Board Meeting start time. Each speaker testifying will be given two minutes to speak. Those who do not wish to speak at the hearing but want to share their thoughts can provide written comments to jmeacham@baltimorecountymd.gov by Nov. 1, 2022. |
| November 3, 2022 | Meeting Canceled. |
| November 17, 2022 |
The Planning Board Meeting will be held virtually via Webex. Meeting Details: |
MEMBERS
Remote Media URL