Planning Commission - 2026-01-15
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Baltimore City Planning Commission approved multiple rezonings including 4308-4312 Hayward Avenue from R5 to TOD1 (unanimous) for a 250-unit mixed-use development near Rogers Avenue Metro, 3605 Hickory Avenue from R7 to IMU1 (unanimous) for Baltimore Spirits Company distillery, and the Hartford Road Overlay District (6-1-1) affecting approximately 1,800 properties. The commission also approved a conditional use for live entertainment at 1421 Ridgeley Street (Checkered Spot Brewing) and rezoning at 6101 Boley's Lane from OIC to IMU2 for a DPW composting facility.
Key Decisions (6)
Rezoning at 4308-4312 Hayward Avenue
Rezoning of four parcels at 4308, 4310, 4312 Hayward Avenue and Lot 31 from R5 to TOD1 to facilitate 250 units of condos, townhomes, and multifamily rental with first floor commercial near Rogers Avenue Metro Station. Applicant is Bull Rogers Station LLC (Wynn Willis). Properties are within quarter mile of Metro station in TOD Opportunity Zone.
Conditional Use for Live Entertainment at 1421 Ridgeley Street
Conditional use authorization for live entertainment at Checkered Spot Brewing taproom in C4 zoning district. Petitioner is Judy Neff of Checkered Spot Properties LLC. Located in Camden Carroll industrial area near stadiums.
Rezoning at South Haven Street/Crescent Street
Rezoning of two lots from I2 to C2 for DJBL Crescent LLC. Properties are former railroad right-of-way between South Haven Street and Crescent Street intersection, north of O'Donnell Street Bridge. Intent is to develop attached single family dwellings similar to adjacent Brewers Hill and Greektown neighborhoods.
Rezoning and Conditional Use at 6101 Boley's Lane
Rezoning from OIC to IMU2 and conditional use for commercial composting facility at DPW Eastern Transfer facility site. Project includes new composting facility, upgrades to drop-off center, new employee parking. Required for $4 million EPA grant to be expended by August 2027.
Rezoning at 3605 Hickory Avenue
Rezoning from R7 to IMU1 for Baltimore Spirits Company liquor distillery with accessory tasting room. Property is formerly industrial building in Hamden near 36th Street (The Avenue). Applicant is Chase Hoffberger of 3605 Hickory Avenue LLC. Building has been vacant for over a decade.
Hartford Road Overlay District
Establishment of overlay district along Hartford Road from Argonne Drive to city limits, approximately 500 feet on either side. Allows multifamily dwellings in all residential districts, modifies commercial use regulations, eliminates off-street parking requirements, and imposes pedestrian-oriented design standards including prohibition on new curb cuts. Affects approximately 1,800 properties. Petitioned by Councilman Ryan Dorsey.
Zoning Changes (5)
4308, 4310, 4312 Hayward Avenue and Lot 31
Bull Rogers Station LLC (Wynn Willis)
South Haven Street/Crescent Street parcels (former railroad right-of-way)
DJBL Crescent LLC
6101 Boley's Lane
Baltimore City DPW
3605 Hickory Avenue
3605 Hickory Avenue LLC (Chase Hoffberger)
Hartford Road corridor (Argonne Drive to city limits, 500 feet either side)
Councilman Ryan Dorsey
Development Activity (5)
Rogers Avenue Metro TOD Development
250 units total including condos, for-sale townhomes, and multifamily rental with first floor commercial and dedicated open space. First phase is 15-20 townhomes to promote homeownership.
Baltimore Spirits Company Distillery
Liquor distillery with accessory tasting room in formerly industrial two-story building. Moving from Union Collective to this location.
DPW Composting Facility
New composting facility on capped landfill site with upgrades to existing drop-off center, new employee parking and circulation, renovation of residential recycling center, small hauler space.
Reisterstown Metro TOD
800+ unit mixed use development on state-owned parking lot. Developer attached and progress expected to continue.
West Cold Spring Metro Multifamily
164 unit multifamily rental on privately owned parcels. Recently completed.
Market Signals (6)
Housing Demand
Woodmere neighborhood near Rogers Avenue Metro has declined 22% in population since 2017, indicating opportunity for new housing development to bring households back.
Housing Demand
Hartford Road corridor has less than 1% residential vacancy and under 20% rentership, indicating extremely high demand and limited housing options in the area.
Commercial Demand
Hartford Road commercial corridor has nearly 10% vacancy plus 35% underutilized properties despite strong residential demographics, indicating mismatch between population density and commercial viability.
Infrastructure
MDOT MTA preparing development solicitation for 9.5 acres of underutilized parking at Rogers Avenue Metro Station, with state revolving capital loan grant fund available for TOD projects.
Infrastructure
City DOT received Complete Streets Redesign Grant for two-mile Wabash Avenue segment connecting Reisterstown, Rogers, and Cold Spring Metro stations to improve pedestrian access.
Sentiment
Strong community opposition to Hartford Road Overlay District from residents concerned about multifamily development on residential side streets, with multiple letters and testimony against the bill.