The Baltimore County Council is considering legislation introduced by Councilman David Marks that would develop an overlay district in downtown Towson.

The overlay is a special zoning district that would designate the downtown area as the “Towson Urban Core” (TUC), replacing the current “Commercial-Town Center Core” (CT).

If the legislation passes, urban development projects within the TUC will not have to adhere to certain traditional design regulations that have been required in the past, such as parking setbacks and height limitations.

Developments would have to follow environmental regulations such as “green” rooftops, placement of shade trees, use of recyclable materials, and open space requirements, Marks said.

According to a draft from August 2015 by the Baltimore County Department of Planning, the proposed TUC would be bounded roughly by Bosley Avenue, Fairmount Avenue, East Pennsylvania Avenue, Virginia Avenue, and East Towsontown Boulevard.

However, the final boundaries have yet to be determined, Marks said.

Source: Towson business owners conflicted about proposed overlay district | The Baltimore Watchdog