Waterways protected, land values ​​increased by veto: Pittman

A veto protected waterways and increased land values, Anne Arundel County administrator said. That’s why Steuart Pittman cast his first veto.

Jul 30, 2024 11:19am EDT

Press release from the office of Anne Arundel County Administrator Steuart Pittman:

County Executive Pittman Signs Bill to Rezone Region, But Shares Veto

If the veto is upheld, the tributaries of Lake Waterford and Magothy will be protected and the value of the land inherited by local African-American families will be restored.

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Annapolis, MD (July 24, 2024) – Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman today signed legislation establishing comprehensive zoning that reflects the County’s Region 4 Plan, which was developed through the Plan2040 process. The region includes all or parts of Arnold, Cape St. Claire, Broadneck, Gibson Island, Pasadena and Severna Park.

County Executive Pittman also announced vetoes of amendments to Bill 28-24, the comprehensive zoning ordinance, which affects approximately 44 acres of land in Pasadena and Arnold. Under the County Charter, the County Executive may veto portions of a comprehensive zoning ordinance while approving the remainder. The County Executive issued a statement addressing his vetoes, which can be found here.

“I want to recognize the collective efforts of our extraordinary staff at the Office of Planning and Zoning, all seven members of the County Council, and stakeholders during this process,” said County Executive Pittman. “All voices were heard and this bill delivers on our promise of greener, smarter, and more equitable land use. I am confident that these vetoes, the first during my tenure, will help to achieve both green infrastructure and equity. I hope they will be upheld.”

For Bill 28-24, the County Executive vetoed an amendment that would have upgraded 14 acres at 201 Ember Drive from residential (R1) to industrial (W2). During the Region 4 planning process, the Stakeholder Advisory Committee recommended that this parcel of land be retained as residential to protect forestland located near Lake Waterford and the Magothy River.

Also in Bill 28-24, the County Executive vetoed portions of an amendment that would have retained six parcels on Shot Town Road as low-density residential (RLD) instead of residential (R1). The veto would have allowed these parcels to be zoned R1, as requested by the landowners and as recommended by the County’s Office of Planning and Zoning after a staff review of the surrounding land and community.

Under the Charter, the County Council will have the opportunity to consider overriding the County Executive’s veto at the next council meeting. For more information about the County’s Plan2040 process, visit www.aacounty.org/plan2040.

This press release was produced by Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman’s Office. The views expressed herein are those of the author.