As residents of the Harford Road corridor, we are deeply concerned about the potential impact of Baltimore City Council Bill 25-0093 and believe it requires a comprehensive review before moving forward.

Bill 25-0093, also known as the Harford Road Overlay District, could fundamentally change the scale and character of development along the Harford Road corridor. Similar to last year’s defeated Bill 25-0066, the proposal would allow significantly greater residential density and multi-story development in areas currently characterized by single-family detached homes.

The bill’s proposed “by-right” development framework raises particular concerns because it removes opportunities for case-by-case consideration of how individual projects affect surrounding neighborhoods. Properties within approximately 500 feet of Harford Road could potentially be converted to larger-scale development, including buildings of up to six stories, immediately adjacent to existing single-family homes. 

Allowing zoning conversions like this is a significant change to established neighborhoods—they should not move forward without first understanding their impacts.

We are not opposed to development or additional housing choices. We support investment, revitalization, and evidence- and data-driven improvements along Harford Road. But responsible development requires responsible planning—including adequate consideration of infrastructure and community character. This proposal turns its back on modern planning principles by excluding true collaboration and by allowing blanket incursion into different zones which threatens the integrity of communities.

Before this bill moves forward, the City should address fundamental questions:

• Infrastructure and utilities: Can existing systems accommodate substantially increased density? What would additional demand mean for aging energy, water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure?
• Transportation and parking: How would increased development affect already-limited parking, traffic, pedestrian safety, and public transportation?
• Neighborhood transitions: What design standards, setbacks, buffers, or other protections would separate new multi-story buildings from existing single-family homes?
• Affordability and equity: What evidence demonstrates that this approach will actually improve housing affordability and equitable access?
• Enforcement and property conditions: How will the City address unsafe conversions, overcrowding, sanitation, code violations, and environmental concerns that already place demands on limited resources?
• Community input: What meaningful opportunities will residents and stakeholders have to participate before development rights and zoning regulations are permanently changed?

Our concern is straightforward: The Harford Road Overlay District (Council Bill 25-0093), as currently proposed, does not provide sufficient assurance that these impacts have been adequately studied or that appropriate safeguards are in place.

We are calling for the immediate withdrawal of Bill 25-0093 and requiring a comprehensive, data-driven review of its potential impacts. A bill like this should include a uniform Harford Road corridor study, including meaningful consultation with the residents, businesses, and stakeholders who will live with the consequences of these decisions.

The future of Harford Road deserves more than a one-size-fits-all approach that prioritizes unhindered development projects. It deserves careful planning, transparent legislative process, analysis, meaningful community participation, and development that works with existing neighborhoods rather than simply building around them. The bill’s “by-right” clause intentionally strips away the zoning appeals board hearings effectively silencing the democratic rights of neighbors.

A public hearing on Bill 25-0093 is scheduled for Thursday, September 24, at 9:00 AM at City Hall. Whether or not you can attend, your participation matters. Residents, homeowners, businesses, community organizations, and other stakeholders are encouraged to learn about the bill, share their concerns, and join our coalition.

Sign the petition. Join our coalition. Bring your neighbors into the conversation.

Contact your City Council representatives to express your opposition! 

We have seen our community come together before, and we know that organized residents can make their voices heard. Together, we can advocate for a Harford Road where responsible development and strong, sustainable neighborhoods move forward together.

IMPORTANT: When you sign the petition please include your NEIGHBORHOOD NAME or ZIP CODE in the comments.