Without discussion, the Baltimore County Council took the first step Monday toward creating a new zoning category for downtown Towson.
The council voted 7-0 to approve a resolution directing the council's planning board to develop recommendations for the zone, which would likely cover the commercial business district that is targeted for redevelopment.
The planning board will be required to hold at least one public meeting.
The recommendations are due by March 1 and Councilman David Marks, who sponsored the resolution, has said he plans to move to create the new zoning district after that.
Marks argues that the vision for downtown Towson as a vibrant, urban community is difficult to accomplish under current zoning rules. Marks left Monday's meeting early for a family commitment.
Downtown Towson has seen intense commercial and residential development in recent years and is in line for more development, including the proposed $300 million Towson Row off of York Road that would include apartments, student housing, offices and retail stores anchored by a Whole Foods.
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