Mara Evangelical Church Project - 2025 Monumental Road
The Mara Evangelical Church purchased approximately 3.73 acres of land at the SE corner of Monumental Road and Lincoln Avenue in Halethorpe, Maryland, on which to build their church. The church is asking for zoning exception. The project cannot be built as planned without the exception being granted.
The first Baltimore County Zoning Hearing took place on July 18, 2022, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM (Case ID No. 2022-0108-SPHA). This meeting took place; however, a continuance was ordered.
A second Baltimore County Zoning Hearing has been scheduled for August 29, 2022, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM (Case ID No. 2022-0108-SPHA). To view the formal zoning request, or to apply to testify, or to view/listen to the hearing online, please click on the link below to connect with the Baltimore County Department of Zoning and Development Hearings web page.
The church is being represented by the law firm Hofmeister and Breza. If you have any questions, please contact Scott M. Breza, Esquire, Hofmeister & Breza, 11019 McCormick Road, Suite 400, Hunt Valley, MD 21031 (Phone: 410-828-4442 ext. 312) (E-Mail: scottb@hbllaw.com).
The church is requesting the following:
According to Baltimore County zoning laws, churches are allowed to build in a residential zone, but all buildings must maintain a 100 foot distance from their property line, unless an exception applies. Parking lots must maintain a 50 foot distance from their property line in order to create a buffer between them and the adjacent homeowners. These buffers are called a Residential Transition Area (RTA) and usually encompasses a natural vegetation or added landscaped vegetation to create a “green curtain.” In their exception request, the church is asking for a building and parking RTA setback reductions. Residents, church representatives, community association representatives, and any attorneys can speak at the hearing to state their position before the Hearing Office makes their ruling.
Attached please find (click on blue):
Vicinity Map showing the proposed location of the church
Site Plan with shaded areas depicting the RTA areas for a better understanding of requested variances. The “red” shaded areas show where they can build without a variance. The “green” shaded area is the RTA area which requires a variance to build on the site. See Item #20 under General Notes.
To view the formal zoning request, or to apply to testify, or to view/listen to the hearing online, please click on the link below to connect with the Baltimore County Department of Zoning and Development Hearings web page.
https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/adminhearings/zoning-dev-hearings
If you wish to testify, you must register with Baltimore County two (2) business days in advanced of the hearing date in order to participate in the hearing. Requests can be completed online or call the Office of Administrative Hearings (410-887-3868).
All interested persons can view a live-stream of a hearing using the case link in the calendar located on the County website. You will be required to register with your name, email, phone number and case ID number. You do not need to preregister for general access to the hearing. However, you will not be allowed to testify.
Disclaimer: While HIA has no reason to doubt the accuracy of any information supplied, we cannot, and do not guarantee its accuracy. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, misuse or misinterpretations of information contained herein.
8/22/2022