Changes are coming in quick succession to a historic shopping corridor along York Road.
A Baltimore-based developer has plans to buy a property within the Stoneleigh shopping center in Towson’s Anneslie neighborhood, leaving community members concerned about the uncertain future of small-business owners there and skeptical about zoning that would leave the door open for businesses some residents say would not fit the community’s distinctive character.
Jeremy Landsman, principal of real estate development firm Reba Holdings, is in negotiations to buy the 15,625-square-foot, multi-space building at 6705 York Road that houses fitness and yoga studios, a bicycle shop, florist, 14 upper-floor apartments and Stoneleigh Lanes on the east side of York Road between Murdock and Dunkirk roads.
But Landsman is against a zoning change request submitted by Baltimore County Councilman David Marks that would change the Business Local zoning designation that currently allows for arcades, car washes, service garages, medical clinics and other personal services, according to Baltimore County zoning regulations.
Marks’ request to downzone the area from Dumbarton to Overbrook Road to the more restrictive Community Business designation has been made through the county’s Comprehensive Zoning Map Process that occurs every four years.
The change was spurred in part by community backlash to a drive-through Starbucks in 2016 that residents at the time said would further congest the road and posed pedestrian safety hazards. They also expressed indignation over what they said was a lack of public notice on plans to build the chain coffee shop.
Read full article: Buyer of Uncle Wiggly’s property in Towson seeks to purchase strip of York Road shops – Baltimore Sun