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For Immediate Release

08 February 2006
Contact:
Josh Cohen 410 216-9449
Sam Shropshire 443 603-1516

Ordinance Seeks to Limit Density along Outer West Street Corridor

Aldermen Sam Shropshire (D-Ward 7) and Josh Cohen (D-Ward 8) are introducing an ordinance to limit density for multifamily development along Outer West Street and Chinquapin Round Road.  The ordinance is prompted by concerns that the city’s BCE zoning district allows too much density, as demonstrated by the current project at 1901 West Street. 

“Many people I have spoken with are concerned that the development we are seeing right now along Outer West Street is just too much for the city to handle,” Cohen said. 

"I am very concerned about growth in this area," Shropshire added.

Current Allowable Density:

The Business Corridor Enhancement (BCE) Zoning District allows a maximum density of 60 units per acre for multifamily dwellings.  This does not include the 15 percent density bonus a developer may receive for including Moderately Priced Dwelling Units (MPDU’s).

Proposed Zoning Change:

The ordinance will limit density to 35 units per acre for multifamily dwellings.  If a project includes MPDU’s the density bonus will increase the limit to 40 units per acre.

By way of comparison, the 1901 West development is built on six acres and has 300 units, a density of 50 units per acre.   If the ordinance is adopted, a similar project on the same size property would be limited to 240 units, a reduction of 20 percent even with the MPDU bonus.

Area Affected:

The BCE zoning district covers outer West Street from the city limits at Hudson Street eastward to Legion Avenue, and it covers the length of Chinquapin Round Road.  It also includes a property off Gibralter Avenue where The Capital newspaper offices are located.

Smart Growth vs. Too Much Growth:

The city’s 1998 Comprehensive Plan identifies Outer West Street as a revitalization area to promote mixed-use redevelopment.  The ordinance’s proposed limit of 35 units per acre is a high-density designation and is consistent with the Plan.

“It’s better to redevelop along a major road like West Street than to eat up more undeveloped land with sprawl,” Cohen said.  “Still, even in urban areas we need to set reasonable limits.  Smart Growth should not mean too much growth.”

Legislative Timeline:

Shropshire and Cohen are introducing Ordinance O-11-06 at the February 13th City Council meeting.  It will then be referred to the city’s Planning Commission.  The Commission will hold a public hearing and review the ordinance before sending it back to the City Council with a recommendation.  The City Council will then hold another public hearing before voting on it.  The whole process may take four to six months.

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