Zoning call to action: 305 Chesapeake
If you live in West Towson you’ve certainly seen 305 Chesapeake Ave, the five-story glass building just west of Bosley. Built in the mid-1960s and now at the end of its useful life, its fate will be determined at next week’s Comprehensive Zoning Map Process meeting (CZMP). Because this property boarders our neighborhood, any change in zoning for this property opens the possibility of a big shift in the feel of our neighborhood.
Exterior view of 305 Chesapeake Avenue.
There is currently a proposal to rezone this property as “OR-2” which, if approved, would allow for higher density uses including, a boutique hotel, residential apartments, a bank, a drugstore, a carry-out restaurant, and/or a parking garage.
This proposal is submitted as a joint venture between Mid-Atlantic Properties and Caves Valley Partners. Caves Valley Partners website showcases a 7 story office building at 215 Washington Avenue, the redevelopment of almost an entire city block at Towson Row, and the project to renovate, lease, and manage a 300 car garage at 28 West Allegheny Av. Though we love the amenities of being close to vibrant downtown Towson, a core part of the West Towson Neighborhood Association’s mission is to maintain the our residential neighborhood feel. Developments like these have the potential to increase traffic, noise, and nuisances.
Your help is needed to share your opinion on this zoning application. There will be a CZMP hearing, Tuesday February 27, 6:00pm at Parkville High School. Board members of West Towson Neighborhood Association and Southland Hills Neighborhood Association will be present to speak to this issue. Members of both communities are also invited to provide input.
Please share your voice by:
1) Joining the CZMP hearing on February 27, 6 PM at Parkville High School
2) Register to speak for 2 minutes using this link. The registration opens at 8:30 AM on Sunday February 25th and speakers are taken in order of sign up. Please reference issue 6-0006 in the sign up.
Further information about this hearing, the current application, and advance speaker registration are available at https://comprehensive-zoning-map-process-bc-gis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/.
