The Compass - Baltimore Planning e-Newsletter February 2024

Having troubles viewing this email? View as a webpage.

the compass - city of baltimore department of planning

Baltimore City Department of Planning eNewsletter - February 2024

A Message from the Director

2024 is going to be an incredible year for Baltimore. As we nurse our loss in football, we cherish the old saying in baseball – there’s always next year – and next year is here!

This really will be an incredible year, and much of it will be captured in our new Comprehensive Plan, which we hope to wrap up this Spring and send to the City Council.

You will also see a new downtown start to emerge – around the stadia, Harborplace, the “Highway to Nowhere” and a market analysis for State Center. See the results of our downtown charrette below. And if you didn’t see the announcement of the City’s vacant housing strategy, view it here.

Remember that both the Planning Commission and CHAP meet in person, and the Sustainability Commission and UDAAP meet virtually. We are working towards hybrid meetings for Planning and CHAP, but don’t quite have the confidence in our technology to commit to it yet.

With the new year comes new additions to the Department of Planning, so join me in welcoming our three newest team members, the first of which Amelia Evans, our first communications director. She will not only help with this newsletter, but any number of other communication formats that you suggest. We take our commitment to equity seriously at the Department of Planning, and it starts with our communication strategy.Interested in joining some fantastic people in this department? Scroll down to Employment Opportunities to see the open positions available or visit this page.

Happy February!

Thanks,
Chris Ryer, Director
City of Baltimore Department of Planning

Amelia Evans, Communications Specialist

Amelia was born and raised in Baltimore. She attended Towson University studying Mass Communication: Public Relations & Integrated Communication and Art. Prior to her role as the Communications Specialist, she worked as the Marketing & Communications Manager at the Maryland State Arts Council and was the Executive Director of the Station North Arts & Entertainment District, where she marketed and promoted businesses, arts, grant opportunities, and community events throughout Baltimore. She currently resides in Station North with her husband, rescue dog and cats.

Antoine Heath, Design Planner, Land Use and Urban Design

Prior to joining the Department of Planning, Antoine worked as an Architectural Designer in Washington, D.C., and as a Planner at the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission in Prince George's County. Antoine earned a bachelor's in fine art from the Maryland Institute College of Art, and a master's in architecture from Morgan State University. Antoine enjoys woodworking, watching sports, and learning about space in his spare time.

Carrsha Reed, Grants and Contracts Administrator

Carrsha was born and raised in West Baltimore where she currently still resides. She obtained her Bachelors Degree in Human Resources Management from University of Maryland Global Campus. In her spare time she enjoys learning new things, working out, and baking. Some of her favorite ways to work out are yoga, walking, and strength training.

Planning News

Our Baltimore Charrette

Baltimore City’s Comprehensive Master Plan, Our Baltimore, is in process and planning continues! The plan includes both geographic and policy recommendations. One of our important geographies is Downtown Baltimore, an asset shared by residents and visitors, alike. To inform the recommendations for Downtown, the Planning Department partnered with AIA Baltimore to host a planning charrette at The Center for Architecture and Design on January 12th.

The charrette had a great turn-out with more than 70 participants, including stakeholders, residents, and technical professionals. The charrette was followed by a gallery style opening in which the broader public was invited to review and provide comment on the recommendations for Downtown. If you missed the charrette or gallery opening, you aren't too late! We are still collecting input, and the draft plan will be widely available for comment in the coming months.

Reisterstown Metro Station Meeting

On January 18th, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) hosted an Open House with preliminary concept plans for the transit-oriented development at Reisterstown Metro Station.

Dozens of community members and the City's Department of Planning joined together to discuss ideas for Wabash Avenue, open space, architecture styles, retail, transit, and more. MDOT will organize more opportunities for public engagement as the project progresses. Click here for additional information.

Plan Our Baltimore Community Meeting

Group of people standing and talking at a community meeting

The Department of Planning and Community Partners invited the public to review policy recommendations for the Our Baltimore Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Map on January 24th at Saint Agnes Hospital. They reviewed Draft Recommendations for the Inclusive Economy and Livable Places tracks: Equitable Development, Affordable Housing, Public Space/Placemaking, Historic Resources, Small Business Ecosystem, Workforce Development, Freight Movement, and Neighborhood Retail. This was the third event this round of public outreach.

Awards and Funding Opportunities

2024 Maryland Preservation Awards (CLOSING SOON!)Application deadline: February 5, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
Nominate a person, organization, business, contractor, government agency, or project for excellence in historic preservation, heritage education, or community development projects in Maryland. Awards are presented in four categories: Leadership & Service, Education & Community Engagement, Stewardship, and Project Excellence. Learn more and submit your nomination form here.

Maryland Historical Trust's FY2024 Historic Preservation Capital Grant ProgramApplication deadline: March 18, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

This program promotes the acquisition, restoration, and rehabilitation of historic properties in Maryland. Properties that are listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places will be considered for this grant. Learn more about the program here.

Food Policy and Planning Division 2023 Accomplishments

The Baltimore City Food Policy and Planning Division has put together a brief one-page document outlining their accomplishments in 2023, specifically highlighting the American Rescue Plan Act funding, Open Access Baltimore, national and international leadership, the Food Policy Action Coalition, Resident Food Equity Advisors, and the "Our Baltimore" Comprehensive plan!

Email Signup

We've made subscribing to our emails much easier! If you would like to receive more specific emails from the Department of Planning, check out the eblast categories beyond The Compass to ensure you're on the list!

Eric Stephenson Profile

The sun casts shadows on homes in Eric Stephenson’s neighborhood.
(Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun)

Click here to read a fantastic profile of Eric Stephenson, Vice Chair of the Planning Commission from The Baltimore Sun!

CHAP Turns 60

This year, the Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP) turns 60! Stay tuned for a schedule of events starting in May and ending in October.

CHAP oversees 38 local historic districts, over 210 landmarks, and manages a local historic preservation tax credit program. CHAP helps preserve and revitalize neighborhoods, celebrates City history, and promotes historic preservation as a proven economic driver for Baltimore City.

Pop-up Ice-skating in
Middle Branch Park

Get ready to lace up those ice-skates because the Youth Resiliency Institute (YRI) has a winter treat in store! YRI is hosting a dazzling pop-up ice-skating rink at Middle Branch Park tomorrow, in collaboration with South Baltimore Gateway Partnership and Baltimore City's Department of Recreation & Parks.

This FREE family-fun day of ice-skating will be the first of many year-round activation programs led by YRI and hosted in Middle Branch Park as part of the Reimagine Middle Branch initiative. In addition to ice-skating, activities for children, youth, and families will also be provided! Ice skate rentals will also be provided for FREE! Details here.

Historic Tax Credit Update

Historic properties within the Baltimore National Heritage Area can now utilize the city’s historic tax credit!

This is due to legislation passed this past summer, and the Department of Finance has finally completed the process to add these to the eligible properties list (view this layer on CityView). This adds a large swath of the city to eligible properties!

Employment Opportunities

City Planner II

The Department currently has Planner II openings in multiple divisions, including Land Use and Urban Design, Community Planning & Revitalization, CHAP, and Sustainability. For any City Planner II role listed below, apply for the City Planner II position on Workday.

City Planner II - Department of Planning

A City Planner II performs planning projects of a complex, innovative and creative nature independently. Work of this class involves no supervisory duties or responsibilities but may involve work as a project leader.

Greening Coordinator (City Planner II)

The Community Planning and Revitalization Division is seeking a qualified Greening Coordinator to manage work elements related to neighborhood greening initiatives. Working as part of Baltimore’s Green Network team, the Greening Coordinator partners with community groups, and residents to design greening plans, develop community outreach materials, gather community feedback, and identify partnership opportunities for project implementation.

Climate and Resilience Planner (City Planner II)

Help make Baltimore healthier, safer, and more resilient! The Baltimore City Office of Sustainability is seeking a passionate leader to help catalyze climate actions across Baltimore. The Climate and Resilience Planner (CRP) will assist with the development and implementation of climate resiliency and hazard mitigation plans.

Read more about each position.

Upcoming Commission Meetings & Events

Planning Commission Meeting
February 8, 2024, 1 p.m.

This meeting will be conducted in-person only. We are still working to perfect a remote video conference option in a “hybrid” meeting format, but it is not available for this meeting. Check the Planning Commission agenda page for updates and participation instructions.

You may submit written testimony to Eric Tiso no later than 4 p.m. on February 6, 2023.

Meeting materials will be online for public review as they become available.

CHAP Hearing
Tuesday, February 13, 2024, 1 p.m.

The hearing will be held in the Phoebe Stanton Boardroom at 417 East Fayette Street, 8th Floor.The agenda is available here.

Sustainability Commission Meeting
February 21, 2024, 4 p.m.

Join the Commission on Sustainability each month to learn about initiatives, projects and programs intended to make the city more sustainable, more equitable and more climate resilient. Each month we will explore strategies and action items outlined in the 2019 Baltimore Sustainability Plan, highlighting local partners supporting these efforts. Meetings will also include important updates from the staff at the Office of Sustainability on topics ranging from urban agriculture to waste reduction to transportation. View the agenda and register.