LIVE: Public Hearing For Proposed Development Changes

An ordinance adjusting Bel Air town regulations on smoking lounges is up for a public hearing Monday night.

After the town received a request from a business owner hoping to open a hookah lounge in Bel Air, proposed changes to the town's development regulations were brought to the board of commissioners.

At the Sept. 17 meeting Town Planner Kevin Small explained hookah lounges are not specifically addressed in town zoning laws. The proposed zoning changes would allow smoking lounges in the B3 zone only and ensure the are at least 1,000 feet from a school and 100 feet from a residence, Small said.

Smoking lounges would be accepted as an exceptional use and be subject to board of appeals approval. See the attached full agenda.

In addition to these changes, another proposed change to development regulations includes a change in measuring where a pet can be kept in town. The change would allow pet penning to be measured by the nearest adjacent building. Small explained this measurement would be more practical.

There is also an amendment that would reduce the width of a single family home front yard setback from the 50 to 20 feet.

Following the public hearing, a vote is expected, according to the agenda.

Find updates from the meeting below:

7:56 p.m.: The meeting is adjourned.

7:54 p.m.: Hopkins thanked APG for honoring Bel Air at their Oktoberfest. He said he feels the community commitment from the neighboring U.S. Army post. He went on to thank Mr. Klein for his work in helping to open the area into the parking garage. “I know it was dozens of your staff who worked on that project and that area certainly looks phenomenal,” Hopkins said. “I think sometimes our employees do not get the public recognition.”

7:52 p.m.: Reir thanked the police department and department of public works for their hard work at events over the weekend.

7:52 p.m.: Only members of the media are present at the meeting. There is no public comment.

7:52 p.m.: All vote in favor of the motion.

7:51 p.m.: Director for Finance Lisa Moody explained the amendment allows department heads to sign contracts for less than $3,000 in emergency situations.

7:50 p.m.: Commissioner Robert Reier moved to approve a policy amendment for procurement regulations.

7:50 p.m.: The commissioners unanimously approved the introduction of the amendment.

7:48 p.m.: Joyce Oliver, town director of administration said voluntary boards be kept under the ethics code, however they be exempted from financial disclosure. It is also proposed to remove town police officers from financial disclosure lists. The state ethics commission has approved the town’s proposed amendments. A public hearing will be held Oct. 15.

7:47 p.m.: Town Commissioner Susan Burdette moves to approve an amendment amending the town ethics code.

7:45 p.m.: Susan Burdette said she is proud that the town will support a local artist through this project.

7:45 p.m.: Small said the town was hoping to start this week on the mural, however the sheriff’s office is sealing that wall which will delay the start at the latest until spring 2013.

7:44 p.m.: Small said Marshall Adams provided a low bid and will paint a mural of the changes of the sheriff’s office house shifting from black and white to color.

7:43 p.m.: Two applications were received for a mural, Small said. He explained this is a specialized field.

7:42 p.m.: Town Planner Kevin Small said the removal of the BB&T Bank building provided parking, a small garden and a walkway. The blank wall of the sheriff’s office will provide a great place to feature art that highlights the town’s history, Small said.

7:42 p.m.: Commissioner David Carey moves to buy a mural on the side of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office building.

7:41 p.m.: All vote in favor and the motion carries.

7:39 p.m.: Commissioner Robert Preston moved to approve a paving contract with Frank Goettner Construction for $22,000.

7:39 p.m.: The motion was approved with a unanimous vote.

7:38 p.m.: The town is piggy backing on a three-year contract with Baltimore City. The price is the same when compared to the past two years.

7:38 p.m.: Commissioner Edward Hopkins, de facto mayor, said these treatments save the town money. Director of Public Works, Randolph Robertson, agreed.

7:37 p.m.: The neighborhood of Stoneleigh is among those due for treatment.

7:35 p.m.: Commissioner Robert Reier moves to approve a bid for tree root control from Duke’s Root Control of Syracuse, NY, is approved for $1 per linear foot up to $35,000.

7:34 p.m.: Commissioner David Carey moves to approve the development regulations amendment. All vote in favor and the motion carries.

7:34 p.m.: The hearing is closed

7:33 p.m.: there are no public comments.

7:29 p.m.: Town Planner Kevin Small introduces the proposed changes.

7:28 p.m.: A public hearing on Ordinance 754-12 dealing with development regulations amendments begins.