This month, the Department of Planning had to nimbly adjust operations after the ransomware attack. We have set up alternative e-mail addresses for all staff, which are publicly available on our website via this link.

Phone numbers for staff have not changed - except for CHAP staff - their temporary new phone numbers are available via their webpage. You may also call our front desk and be redirected to the staff member you need at (410) 396-7526.

While many City Services have been affected, Planning Staff are still available to answer development questions and meetings has continued as scheduled. Our digital communications (including this newsletter and informational e-blasts) have not been affected, nor have our social media pages. We are using these communication tools to stay in touch with you and keep you informed of what's going on in Planning.

Yours Truly,

Chris Ryer, Director

The second cohort of Planning Academy concluded on May 22. Twenty five residents from neighborhoods all across Baltimore City including Chinquapin Park, Hillsdale Heights, Druid Heights, Rosemont and many others participated.

Over the course of six sessions, the cohort members worked with Department of Planning staff, learning how to navigate the City's zoning code and understand the development process.

The participants are encouraged to bring this knowledge back to their neighborhood and community - to share what they've learned and apply it to their own community based work. 

The next Planning Academy cohort begins in September. Applications will be accepted between June 24 and July 24 this summer. To apply and for more information, visit www.baltimoreplanningacademy.com.

'Lots to Love' Pilot Launches

Baltimore City Department of Planning and the Office of Sustainability’s Baltimore Green Network have launched the Lots to Love initiative.

The “Lots to Love”’ is modeled on Philadelphia’s successful Land Care program. As part of the Baltimore Green Network’s strategic approach to neighborhood redevelopment, Baltimore City will work with nonprofit workforce development organizations to transform vacant lots along the Pennsylvania Avenue and Frederick Avenue corridors into neighborhood assets.

The ‘Lots to Love’ program will strategically target 47 vacant lots in the Upton, Boyd-Booth, Shipley Hill and Carrollton Ridge neighborhoods. The program will work with local workforce development organizations to train, hire and employ local residents to care for the lots twice per month between April and October.

For more information on this program, contact Kim Knox at the Department of Planning at kimberley.knox@baltimoreplanning.com

On May 14, Baltimore's historic preservation planning team hosted a Billion Dollar Party to celebrate exceeding the $1 billion mark for investment in properties qualified to receive preservation tax credits since the local program began in 1997.

The event was held at the Fox Building in Hampden. The building, along Falls Cliff Road, was built in 1926 by the Noxema Chemical company to manufacture the "Miracle Cream of Baltimore".

For more information on the local historic tax credit program, please see https://chap.baltimorecity.gov/tax-credits

On Earth Day 2019, Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young signed the Baltimore Sustainability Plan committing the city to reducing food waste by 50 percent by 2030. 

The Baltimore Office of Sustainability is a leading partner in this effort, and has working with the Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC) to launch Food Matters Baltimore funding providing up to $10,000 in funding per applicant for food waste reduction, food rescue and food scrap recycling activities in the Baltimore City.

On Tuesday, May 28, the winners of this funding were announced at the Parkway Theater, as part of a free screening of the documentary film "Wasted". The grant recipients are:

Three leading landscape architecture firms (James Corner Field Operations, Hargreaves Jones, and West 8) have assembled teams of local and international experts to compete for the chance to design Baltimore’s next great recreational and natural waterfront on the Middle Branch.

Between May 29 and June 12, 2019, you can view and comment on competition designs at exhibits held on or near the waterfront or at your convenience from any computer or hand-held device.

See and comment on designs online:

http://www.middlebranchwaterfront.com/site/middle-branch-waterfront-design-competition/

Visit an exhibit:
City Garage, 101 W. Dickman Street, Suite 1000, Baltimore 21230
Mon – Fri: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Enoch Pratt Free Library – Cherry Hill Branch, 606 Cherry Hill Road, Baltimore 21225
Mon & Thurs: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Tues & Wed: 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Fri & Sat · 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.