Arundel councilman kills controversial zoning plans

An Anne Arundel County Councilman on Tuesday night effectively killed a pair of controversial zoning plans that would intensify development in some of Anne Arundel County's most rural areas.

In a reversal of his previous stance, County Councilman Jerry Walker, whose district includes rural South County, said he decided not to seek veto overrides for amendments that would allow development in the Lothian Circle area and south of Route 214 — an informal line of demarkation for development — after consulting with his constituents and County Executive John R. Leopold.

Walker, a Republican, had voted for the amendments and advocated for their passage based on his belief in the importance of individual property rights.

"It was a combination of listening to folks and talking to the administration," said Walker. "I'm happy that a lot of [the other veto overrides] made it through."

Leopold last month vetoed 16 amendments to the comprehensive rezoning bill for South County and Annapolis, which the council passed unanimously. Leopold called the amendments in question a "flagrant violation" of longstanding development principles.

Instead the council voted to override 10 amendments, including a Fiat car dealership in Edgewater. A veto override requires the vote of five of the council's seven members.