Design Review Coming to Baynesville, Hillendale

The Baltimore County Council Monday unanimously approved a bill that seeks to add a more formal review of redevelopment efforts in the Baynesville and Hillendale communities.

The bill, sponsored by Councilman David Marks, revises the boundaries of the Loch Raven Commercial Revitalization District borders. The county Design Review Panel is required review nonresidential development plans in the Loch Raven-Baynesville and Loch Raven-Hillendale sections of the revitalization district.

"It's a very important area to the county and I do think that over some time it has been neglected, said Bob Kemp, president of the Hillendale Park Community Association.

Nick Linehan, a member of the Loch Raven Community Assocation board, said he welcomes the county's review of the commercial areas that are the gateway to the community he lives in.

"We feel this is a step in the right direction to encourage compatible redevelopment in our area," Linehan said.

Sixteen homes in the Baynesville neighborhood will be razed as part of a settlement following more than 25 years of petroleum contamination from a nearby independently-owned Hess gas station. The demolition will result in a four-acre open space.

Karen Fitze, vice president of the Ridgeleigh Community Association, said her neighborhood supports the bill because of "considerable commercial development we're keeping an eye on."

"We would love to see this whole community, especially those of us who were raised around here, to be put under not necessarily homogeneous buildings but something that looks nice," Fitze said during a March 12 hearing on the bill. "Something that has some sort of design quality to it. Something with a landscaping quality to it. Something that would boost the whole area and help us keep our property values up and everyone can drive down there and say 'this is nice.'"

The newly-passed law takes effect on April 1.