Certain uses require additional analysis due to their size,
scale, or possible impact on adjoining properties. Also, on occasion,
it is necessary to provide variances from the specific requirements
of the Town of Bel Air Development Regulations due to the configuration
or specific conditions of a parcel. This article outlines the procedures
the reviewing agencies must follow in considering such development
proposals. These procedures are intended to ensure that the following
development objectives are satisfied:
A. Meet the goals and objectives of the Land Use Element of the Town
of Bel Air Comprehensive Plan.
B. Establish adequate land use controls while protecting the public
interest.
C. Facilitate development that is responsive to current and future market
conditions.
D. Permit flexible development, scale and configuration on individual
lots where standard regulations would create practical difficulty
or hardship.
E. Provide a process and standards whereby the Zoning Administrator
may grant limited adjustments to the strict application of the development
standards of this Part 2.
[Amended 4-3-2017 by Ord.
No. 780-17]
Any person adversely affected by a special development decision
of the Planning Commission may appeal to the Circuit Court of Harford
County in the manner set forth in the Land Use Article of the Annotated
Code of Maryland, as amended from time to time. The Court may affirm,
reverse, vacate or modify the decision complained of in the appeal.
Such appeal shall be filed within 30 days of the Planning Commission's
decision.
A fee shall be charged for filing and handling each application
or appeal provided for in this Part 2, in an amount to be determined
from time to time by the Board of Town Commissioners.
The Board of Town Commissioners may authorize, after notice
to the owners of the properties affected and/or by a notice published
in a paper of general circulation in Bel Air and after public hearing,
adjustments of district boundaries as follows:
A. Where the street or lot layout actually on the ground, or as recorded,
differs from the street and lot lines as shown on the Zoning Maps,
the Board of Appeals shall interpret the maps in such a way as to
carry out the intent and purpose of the Town of Bel Air Development
Regulations for the particular section or district in question.
B. The Board of Appeals may permit the extension of a district, where
the boundary line of a district divides a lot held in single ownership
on the effective date of the Town of Bel Air Development Regulations,
by not more than 100 feet beyond the boundary line.
The Board of Appeals may hear and decide requests relating to nonconforming uses, buildings and structures as authorized and described in Part
3, Signs, and Part
2, Article
III, Establishment and Regulation of Zoning Districts, and Article
IX, Special Provisions and Modifications, of the Town of Bel Air Development Regulations.