A Message from the Director

New Faces and New Opportunities with the Baltimore Department of Planning!

Happy Holidays!  First – the good news – for those that haven’t heard, in October the Mayor’s Office welcomed Justin Williams as the new Deputy Mayor for Community and Economic Development.  A Baltimore native, he was a partner with Baltimore-based law firm, Rosenberg Martin Greenberg, LLP, where he focused on land use and zoning matters and before that was also a member of the land use and zoning practice group at Venable LLP. Second, I’d like to thank the folks that attended our workshop for the Comprehensive Plan on December 3rd and invite folks who couldn’t make it to a virtual meeting (Stephanie can you fill in with a link here? Third, I’d like to welcome Kari Nye as the new community planner for NW Baltimore and Nicholas O’Gara as a GIS analyst for our Policy and Data Analysis division.  Kari is a Baltimore resident active in the Waverly Main Street program while a planner for Anne Arundel County and Nicholas will double our GIS capacity! Finally, I’d like highlight some new positions in the new year coming up in the Department – two positions in the Office of Sustainability – the Climate and Resilience Manager and Forest Conservation planner to, an urban design position in our Land Use and Urban Design division, and a new community planner for the Western district (Chad Hayes has been promoted to director of the Community Planning and Revitalization division).   As always, we are looking for a very special type of person – people that are passionate about our City, want to be a part of its future, and have the energy and knowledge to move us forward.  Please watch our current openings on our web page at: https://planning.baltimorecity.gov/about-us/career-opportunities over the next 60 days to consider a position with the Baltimore Planning Department.

Chris Ryer, Director

Our Baltimore Community Conference 

Residents participate in a Transit Equity session at the Our Baltimore Community Conference.

On December 3, 2022. Approximately 200 Baltimore residents and city agency representatives gathered at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute to discuss a vision for the "Our Baltimore" updated comprehensive plan.  Due by the end of 2024, Baltimore's comprehensive plan will cover a variety of issues including community development, affordable housing, transportation, trees/parks, food access and neighborhood cleanliness. Participants gave feedback on recommendations compiled from a year of "Our Baltimore" Open Houses and community meetings that engaged over 1,300 community stakeholders. Feedback from this conference and an online conference scheduled for January 17, 2022 will inform a draft plan that will be released for public comment in mid 2023. Registration for the online conference closes on Friday January 6, 2023.

Notes from the Transit Equity session at the Our Baltimore Conference.

Upcoming Commission Meetings & Events

January 5, 2023- (VIRTUAL MEETING ONLY) 9:00 AM

Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Agency Presentations to Planning Commission

The 8 city agencies that participate in the CIP will begin presenting a summary of their requests to Planning Commission. Learn more about the CIP process at this LINK.

Link to Planning Commission Agenda and WebEx Login information HERE

If you are unable to participate, you may submit written testimony to eric.tiso@baltimorecity.gov

January 10, 2023- 1:00 PM

Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP)

Since 1964, CHAP has enhanced and promoted the culture and economy of Baltimore through the preservation of buildings, sites and neighborhoods. CHAP meets on the second Tuesday of each month. 

Information and an agenda for the meeting are available HERE

January 12, 2023- (VIRTUAL MEETING ONLY) 10:00 AM

CIP Presentations Cont. & Regular Planning Commission Agenda

Link to Planning Commission Agenda and WebEx Login information HERE

If you are unable to participate, you may submit written testimony to eric.tiso@baltimorecity.gov

January 17, 2023- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM                                                 

Virtual "Our Baltimore" Community Conference

If you were unable to participate in the in-person conference, please consider registering to participate in the virtual alternative by signing up HERE. The deadline is January 6, 2023.

January 19, 2023- 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

UDAPP

The Urban Design and Architecture Advisory Panel’s role is to provide the Planning Commission and the Department of Planning design review expertise in the areas of urban design, architecture, and landscape design.

The agenda, meeting notes, and presentations for UDAAP meetings are made available HERE