Date/Time
Date(s) - March 29, 2017
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Calendar Download
iCal
Location
University of Maryland BioPark Life Sciences Conference Center
NOTICE: Due to expected Baltimore snow storm this week we have RESCHEDULED our program date from Wednesday, March 15 to Wednesday, March 29.
Those who were signed up for the March 15 date will automatically be signed up for the new date on March 29. However if you find that you are not able to make our new date please let me know.
For those of you who were not able to make the March 15 date, perhaps you will now be able to make the March 29 date. If so, please sign up!
We look forward to seeing you there!
Susannah Bergmann, LAI Baltimore Chapter President
Topic: Planning Baltimore’s Future
An overview of the Department of Planning’s initiatives that will be shaping the City in the coming years. These include the City’s new zoning code “Transform Baltimore”, the ambitious Green Network Plan that seeks to re-purpose vacant properties in distressed neighborhoods into green spaces that spur redevelopment, and the INSPIRE program (Investing in Neighborhoods and Schools to Promote Improvement, Revitalization and Excellence) that targets areas around new 21st Century School buildings for new resources and investment.
“Transform Baltimore” Baltimore City Mayor and City Council reviewed City Council Bill #12-0152. On December 5, 2016, the City Council passed and the Mayor signed into law a new zoning code for the City of Baltimore. The new code will be effective June 5, 2017. This code will replace the 1971 Zoning Code.
Thomas Stosur, Director, Department of Planning
As Director of the Baltimore City Department of Planning, Mr. Stosur leads the agency entrusted with oversight of the City’s physical development. He has served in this role since 2009. Unique within City government, the Department of Planning staffs three Mayoral-appointed commissions:
- Planning Commission
- Commission on Historical and Architectural Preservation
- Sustainability Commission
Planning’s accomplishments under Tom’s leadership include:
- Introduction and adoption of Transform Baltimore legislation, the first comprehensive re-write of the City’s zoning code in over 40 years;
- Attainment of a 5-Star rating from STAR Communities, one of only 3 cities in the nation to achieve this level of distinction for sustainability;
- Creation of the INSPIRE neighborhood planning process around 21st Century School construction sites.
- Creation of the Growing Green Initiative and launch of the citywide Green Network Plan, to replace vacant and blighted properties with a range of functional green spaces in challenged neighborhoods;
- Creation of a full-time Food Policy Director position within the department, dedicated to improving food access in Baltimore;
- Development and adoption of several significant master plans, including the City’s first Sustainability Plan, the Climate Action Plan, the Disaster Preparedness and Planning Project, the South Baltimore Gateway Master Plan, and several neighborhood master plans.
Mr. Stosur established his planning career in Baltimore in 1987 at the Baltimore City Planning Department, where he initially worked for nearly 18 years in a variety of roles. In 2005, he was hired as Senior Facilities Planner for Baltimore City Public Schools, where he led the Facility Solutions planning process. In March of 2007, Mr. Stosur joined the Mayor’s Office as Assistant Deputy Mayor for Neighborhood and Economic Development. He holds a Master of Regional Planning degree from Cornell University and Bachelor of Arts from Boston College.