In anticipation of purchasing 21 acres to expand Taneytown Memorial Park, the Taneytown City Council delayed several rezoning votes last night.

Tomorrow, the state Board of Public Works is expected to approve a $321,000 grant toward the purchase of the land adjacent to the park. The acquisition would prompt a zoning change from industrial to open space, said City Manager Chip Boyles.

Boyles proposed several changes last night that had been recommended by the city's planning and zoning commission. The parkland issue will be voted on next month. Boyles asked the council to delay other zoning changes so he could draw one map to reflect all of the proposals.

One of the other zoning changes includes boundaries for a new "restricted general business district."

"We're trying to get the best land use out of our zoning that we can," Boyles said.

The city is trying to attract new business with a Web page that lists commercial properties for sale. At the same time, officials are trying to preserve the small-town charm that residents enjoy.

The framework for the new restricted general business district was approved by the council last month, but the council has not approved the boundaries.

Boyles recommended the district span East Baltimore Street, from Fairground Avenue and Ash Drive. The stretch now includes only one business, Bair's Market, amid the homes.

The restricted district would allow hair salons, doctors' offices, antique shops and other businesses if they did not generate heavy traffic, have drive-through windows, serve people in their cars or have any "objectionable impact on nearby residential areas."

Other zoning changes Boyles proposed include:

Rezoning from residential to industrial the Bollinger property, 120 acres along Route 194 planned for industrial development.

Cleaning up a line between a residential zone and general business zones off Antrim Boulevard. As originally drawn, the line would have left lots too narrow to develop, Boyles said.

Rezoning some residential properties on Antrim Boulevard to general business.

Pub Date: 3/09/99