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Department of Planning
Our Mission:
To provide the highest level services
and leadership in urban and strategic planning,historical and architectural preservation, zoning,
design, development, and capital budgeting to promote
the sustained economic, social, and community development
of the City of Baltimore.
The Department has established four planning divisions to help it carry out its mission: Office of the Director, Land Use and Urban Design, Comprehensive Planning, Research and Strategic Planning, and Historical and Architectural Preservation.
Featured Items
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TRANSFORM BALTIMORE : The Zoning Code RewriteThe Zoning Code Diagnosis is a summary of the existing code and areas for improvement. Visit this site, log-in to create an account in order to review and comment on any or all parts of this document.
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Office of SustainabilityWe define sustainability as “Meeting the environmental, social, and economic needs of Baltimore without compromising the ability of future generations to meet these needs.” |
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West Baltimore MARC Station DRAFT Area Master PlanA public hearing for the adoption of this Plan by Baltimore City Planning Commission is tentatively scheduled for November 6, 2008 at the Planning Department. Check our website for updates to the Planning Commission hearing. Please email comments to: WestBaltimoreMARCPlan@Baltimorecity.gov prior to the Commission hearing. Copies of the Draft Plan will also be made available for the public at key locations – please email us for more information. 
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2008 Capital Improvement Projects Interactive Map |
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REQUEST A PRE-DEVELOPMENT MEETINGUsing the new online pre-development form, now you can submit your proposed development project and request a pre-development meeting ONLINE. After a simple login process, you can organize your contacts and project information all in one location and access it as needed. You will also have critical property information and links to development resources at your disposal prior to your meeting. |
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The Planning Commission
The Planning Commission in its current form dates back to a revision of the City Charter in 1947. At that time, the Charter stipulated that the Commission would be a nine-member board composed of: six citizens appointed by the Mayor, the Director of the Department of Public Works or his designee, a member of the City Council, and the Mayor or his representative.
The Charter also defined the key responsibilities of the Commission as:
- Preparing and updating plans showing the physical development of the City;
- Developing a capital budget and six-year capital development program for consideration of the Board of Estimates;
- Developing and maintaining a Comprehensive Master Plan for the City;
- Reviewing all proposals for the subdivision of land within the City for conformance to specified standards; and
- Reviewing all proposed amendments to the City's Zoning Ordinance and making recommendations to the City Council.
The Planning Commission relies on the staff of the Department of Planning to accomplish these mandates, as well as to carry out new and expanded responsibilities commissioners have assumed over the years. The Commission meets regularly throughout the year, and its meetings are open to the public.
Current Members of the Planning Commission
Wilbur Cunningham [BIO] |
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| Robert Hopkins [BIO] Citizen Representative |
Darlene Kennedy [BIO] Citizen Representative |
| Hector Torres [BIO] Citizen Representative |
Victor Bonaparte [BIO] Citizen Representative |
| Benjamin Glenn [BIO] Citizen Representative benglenn5@netzero.com |
Elaine Garven Mayor’s Office Representative elaine.garven@baltimorecity.gov |
| Honorable Rochelle “Rikki” Spector City Council Representative RSpector@baltimorecitycouncil.com |
Shirley Williams Dept. of Public Works Representative shirley.a.williams@baltimorecity.gov |
Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation
Baltimore City's Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP) has helped to preserve our City's historic neighborhoods and sites since 1964. Over 8,000 buildings have been designated by CHAP as either local landmarks or part of a local historic district, making the Baltimore City preservation program the most encompassing one in Maryland!
The CHAP Mission is to enhance and promote the culture and economy of Baltimore through the preservation of buildings, structures, sites and neighborhoods that have aesthetic, historic and architectural value. CHAP goals include preserving historic architecture and monuments; reclaiming broken neighborhoods; preventing demolition by neglect; and integrating our City's past into its future.
CHAP Commissioners 2007
| Mr. Tyler Gearhart, Chair | Mr. David Gleason |
| Mr. Donald Kann, Vice Chair | Dr. Helena Hicks |
| The Honorable James Kraft | Ms. Eva Higgins |
| Mr. Michael Braverman | Mr. Philip Merrill |
| Mr. James "Buzz" Cusack | Mr. Michael Murphy |
| Ms. Donna Cypress | Dr. Mustafa Vali |
| Mr. Robert Embry |
Contacts
Highlights
Online Pre-Development Review
- Baltimore Housing's Office of Permits & Building Inspections
- Office of the Zoning Administrator
- Have a development plan that requires more extensive review? Schedule a pre-development meeting with Planning Department staff to learn about your project will move through the development review process.
- Online Pre-Development Form
- Step-By-Step Instructions