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Our First Official Political Action

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We Love Small StreetsWe’re proud to announce that we have taken our first official action to advocate on behalf of small streets. As we’ve mentioned on the blog and website before, Baltimore is in the process of completely rewriting its zoning code for the first time since 1971. Zoning is not the most exciting aspect of urban planning, but when it’s only reviewed in full every 30-40 years, it’s important to pay attention and speak up.

Lou and I reviewed the whole text of the proposed code and picked out 10 sections that affect the viability and vitality of small streets in Baltimore either directly or indirectly. All of our comments address the importance of planning for the pedestrian first.

There are three sections that we believe have a very significant effect on small streets:

  1. Rowhouses must have a lot area of at least 750 square feet and a maximum lot coverage of 80 percent. As we discussed in a previous post, many houses in the Fells Point neighborhood do not meet one or both of these requirements.
  2. Solar panels need to be set back at least six feet from the front façade. We mentioned in a previous post that it may be possible to allow a smaller setback for small streets.
  3. Carriage houses can only be converted to residences if they have at least 750 square feet in area. It’s our position that the minimum size for a safe, healthy, and comfortable dwelling is much less than 750 square feet.

We also commented on sections that reinforce and maintain the automobile’s dominance in Baltimore. Ultimately, small streets cannot fully flourish until we’ve reoriented the city toward the pedestrian.

To read the full letter we sent to the city, follow this link. We look forward to reading a final draft of the code that shows small streets some love!


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