Bel Air public meetings in 2022
23 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Board of Town Commissioners
The Board approved the meeting agenda and entered a closed session to discuss pending litigation between the Town of Bel Air and the Harford County Board of Education. No other substantive decisions were recorded.
- Approved the agenda (4-0)
- Approved motion to close meeting to discuss litigation regarding Connector Road (4-0)
Board of Town Commissioners
The Board of Town Commissioners approved the reappointment of one member to the Tree Committee. No other substantive legislative actions were taken during the meeting.
- Approved reappointment of Graham Becker to the Tree Committee for a three-year term (5-0)
Planning Commission
The Commission approved site and landscape plans for a new professional office building and an 87-unit apartment complex. It also recommended that the Board of Commissioners adopt amendments to development regulations regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).
- Approved Preliminary Site and Landscape Plans for 109 E. Churchville Road office building (5-0)
- Approved Preliminary Subdivision Plan for 87-unit apartment building at 28 N. Hickory Avenue (5-0)
- Approved Site Plan for 87-unit apartment building at 28 N. Hickory Avenue (4-1)
- Approved Landscape Plan for 87-unit apartment building at 28 N. Hickory Avenue (4-1)
- Recommended Board of Commissioners adopt amendments to Articles II, III, V & VI of Development Regulations (5-0)
- Approved minutes from November 3, 2022 meeting (5-0)
Board of Town Commissioners
The Board approved an amended agenda that removed the review of Burns Alley Improvement. No other substantive decisions were made during the session, which included staffing updates and calendar reviews.
- Approved amended agenda (4-0)
Board of Town Commissioners
The Board re-elected Kevin Bianca as Chair and Donna L. Kahoe as Vice Chair. The Board also appointed Joseph M. Wojciechowski to the Historic Preservation Commission for a three-year term.
- Approved the meeting agenda (5-0)
- Approved minutes from November 1 and November 7, 2022 (5-0)
- Elected Kevin Bianca as Chair (4-0)
- Elected Donna L. Kahoe as Vice Chair (4-0)
- Approved appointment of Joseph M. Wojciechowski to the Historic Preservation Commission for a three-year term (5-0)
Cultural Arts Commission
The Commission approved a $540 sponsorship to cover the Armory rental fee for the Take a Chance on Art event. Members also reviewed the Authors and Artists event recap and discussed the potential renaming of the Office Street sculpture.
- Approved $540 sponsorship for Take a Chance on Art Armory rental fee
- Approved minutes from September 21, 2022 meeting
- Decided against purchasing print advertising for the Ain’t Misbehavin’ show
- Tabled Bond Street Pocket Park Sculpture Review until January meeting
Board of Town Commissioners
The Board of Town Commissioners approved the meeting agenda and decided to cancel the meetings scheduled for December 27, 2022, and January 3, 2023. The board also discussed potential alternative meeting locations due to upcoming rotunda renovations.
- Approved the agenda (5-0)
- Decided not to meet December 27, 2022 and January 3, 2023
- Approved motion to enter closed session (5-0)
Appearance and Beautification Committee
The committee approved the minutes from October 10, 2022. Members identified award winners for the year and scheduled dates for holiday decorations and future Garden Mart events.
- Approved October 10, 2022 minutes
- Selected MaGerks, Lisa Sparr, and David Starleper as award winners
- Scheduled 2023 Garden Mart for May 19
- Scheduled 2024 Garden Mart for May 17
Tree Committee
The committee reviewed the draft 2023 tree plan and requested minor edits before it is sent to the town board for adoption by resolution. Members also discussed the Maryland Big Tree Program's white oak initiative and the Linwood Ave. project.
- Approved October 12, 2022, minutes
- Agreed to minor adjustments to the draft 2023 tree plan for subsequent board adoption
Board of Town Commissioners
The Board of Town Commissioners approved several infrastructure and public safety contracts, including security cameras and elevator repairs for the parking garage. The Board also extended the use of temporary COVID-19 tents through 2023 and authorized two utility repair service contracts.
- Approved Resolution No. 1194-22 extending temporary COVID-19 tent use through December 31, 2023 (5-0)
- Approved amended contract for Deano’s Excavating for on-call utility repair services not to exceed $100,000 (5-0)
- Approved amended contract for Site Services for on-call utility repair services not to exceed $100,000 (5-0)
- Approved $161,823.00 contract with Harford Alarm Company for security cameras at the Parking Garage and Armory (5-0)
- Approved $29,248.09 proposal from TK Elevator Corporation for parking garage elevator cable replacement (5-0)
- Approved $64,999.46 purchase of VirTra V-100 firearms simulator and accessories (5-0)
- Approved agenda as written (5-0)
- Approved minutes from October 12 and October 17, 2022 (5-0)
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission reviewed and endorsed various amendments to the Town's Development Regulations, including updates to administration, zoning districts, and environmental regulations. The commission deferred decisions on short-term rentals and accessory dwelling units pending further information.
- Approved minutes from September 1, 2022
- Endorsed amendments to Article II Administration and Enforcement (§ 165-15, 165-16, 165-17, 165-19, 165-20, 165-21)
- Endorsed addition of item A.(8) to § 165-24 General regulations
- Amended § 165-24 building height bonus to 20% if structured parking exceeds 75% of building footprint
- Tabled amendments to § 165-25 regarding accessory dwelling units and short-term rentals for further review
- Requested rewording of § 165-28 R-O Residential-Office District size limits after failing to reach consensus
- Endorsed amendments to B-1, B-2, B-2A, B-3A, M-1, and Historic Resource Conservation regulations
- Endorsed amendments to Article VI Environmental Regulations (§ 165-43, 165-47)
Board of Town Commissioners
The Board held a work session featuring a presentation on the hazards of electric vehicle fires in parking garages and a status report on a downtown parking study. The Board also discussed upcoming agenda items including security camera upgrades and permit extensions.
- Approved the meeting agenda (4-0)
- Agreed to keep event permit applications monthly rather than changing to quarterly
- Moved December 13, 2022 Work Session to 4:30 p.m.
- Approved motion to enter closed session (5-0)
- Approved motion to reopen meeting (5-0)
- Approved motion to adjourn (5-0)
Historic Preservation Commission
The Historic Preservation Commission denied an application to replace seven second-floor wooden windows with vinyl windows at 338 E. Broadway. The commission also approved an amended version of its powers and duties document.
- Approved amended Historic Preservation Commission powers and duties document
- Denied request to replace seven wooden windows with vinyl windows at 338 E. Broadway
- Approved September 22, 2022 meeting minutes as corrected
Appearance and Beautification Committee
The committee will meet to receive reports from various members and liaisons. The agenda contains no specific items for decision or discussion.
Board of Ethics
The Board of Ethics will review 2021 financial and gift disclosure statements for elected officials, designated employees, and appointed officials. The agenda also includes an annual certification to the State Ethics Commission and a review of member contact information and terms.
- Review of 2021 Financial/Gift Disclosure Statements
- Local Government Ethics Law Annual Certification to the State Ethics Commission
- Review of Board of Ethics Member Terms & Re-Appointments
Appearance and Beautification Committee
The committee will meet to receive reports from various members and liaisons. The agenda contains no specific decisions, proposals, or new business items.
Board of Appeals
The Board of Appeals will meet to review a Special Exception application from Health Healing Spa, LLC. The request seeks to allow health spa use at 321 Fulford Avenue within an RO District. The meeting will also include a review of procedures and criteria for special exceptions and variances.
- Special Exception application: Health Healing Spa, LLC (321 Fulford Avenue)
- Review of procedures and criteria for Special Exceptions and Variances
Appearance and Beautification Committee
The committee will meet to receive reports from various members and liaisons. The agenda includes sections for correspondence, old business, and new business.
- Reports from Christmas Decorations, Clean Up, and Landscaping representatives
- Report on Bel Air Flower Mart
- Report from Downtown Alliance liaison
Appearance and Beautification Committee
The committee will meet to receive reports from various members and liaisons. The agenda contains no specific decisions or new business items.
- Reports from Christmas Decorations, Clean Up, and Landscaping
- Report on Bel Air Flower Mart
- Report from Downtown Alliance
Appearance and Beautification Committee
The Appearance and Beautification Committee will meet to receive reports from various committee members and liaisons. The agenda includes sections for correspondence, old business, and new business.
- Reports on Christmas Decorations
- Reports on Landscaping
- Reports on Bel Air Flower Mart
- Reports on Clean Up
Appearance and Beautification Committee
The committee will meet to receive reports from various members and liaisons. The agenda contains no specific decisions, proposals, or new business items.
- Reports from Christmas Decorations, Landscaping, and Bel Air Flower Mart
- Report from Downtown Alliance
- Report from Town Staff Liaison
Board of Appeals
The Board of Appeals will review a request from Nathan L. Booth for a special exception to build a cottage house in an R-1 district. The application also includes a variance for rear yard setbacks regarding proposed balconies on the existing home.
- Special Exception: Cottage house construction at 135 Wallace Street
- Variance: Rear yard setback of 18.7 feet and 19.0 feet instead of the 30 foot minimum
- Extension of non-conforming structure for existing rear yard setback
Appearance and Beautification Committee
The Appearance & Beautification Committee will hold its next meeting virtually via Zoom. The agenda consists of reports from committee members regarding various community topics.
- Chairman report by Jennifer Dombeck
- Landscaping report by Sue Niewenhous
- Bel Air Flower Mart report by Elaine Millard
- Downtown Alliance report by Peg Lucas