Published: February 21, 2008 11:53 am      

City rezoning plan moves forward

CUMBERLAND - With the exception of a letter from the Rolling Mill Neighborhood Association Inc., no other formal public interest has been shown in changes to the text and map of the city's comprehensive rezoning plan that was unveiled in December.

The changes affect wording and designations within the plan more than they affect what will happen on the ground, according to David Umling, a city planner.

During Tuesday evening's City Council meeting, Umling said the industrial-commercial zone will now be called business commercial, but the name change "didn't change dramatically" the zoning regulation.

In the neighborhood association's letter to the city, President Melanie Michael emphasized that the group would favor certain types of businesses in the Maryland Avenue area.

"We would welcome such establishments as boutiques, artist studios, small retail shops, salons, spas, bed and breakfasts, nonprofits, cafes, health-related establishments, and businesses or nonprofits with senior citizens and/or children's programming," Michael wrote.

On the other hand, certain other firms would not be welcome.

"We do not believe the following types of establishment would be a benefit and we feel they would be detrimental to the revitalization we are working so hard to continue: bars, liquor stores, gaming facilities, predatory lending, adult entertainment, pawn shops, shops that generate unacceptable noise levels or any other type of establishment that has been known to create instability in a neighborhood," Michael added.

"The mayor and council can expect an ordinance about these changes in the near future," City Administrator Jeff Repp told the elected officials at their public meeting Tuesday.

Umling said some of the need to change zoning designations arises because of recent annexations by the city.

Councilman Butch Hendershot asked what percentage of land has increased in the city because of annexations. Repp said he would provide that information as soon as possible.

The officials voted to keep the record open for written comments about the zoning changes through Feb. 29. Comments may be sent to Umling at P.O. Box 1702, Cumberland, MD 21501. He may also be contacted at (301) 759-6503 or dumling@allconet.org.

A list of changes and a zoning map are available at the city's Web site, www.ci.cumberland.md.us.

Contact Michael A. Sawyers at msawyers@times-news.com.