As Baltimore County considers a special zoning district in downtown Towson, I urge leaders to emphasize a smart planning layout for this New Bethesda version of Towson ("Balto. Co. Council OKs study of Towson zoning," Dec. 15).
If the Cinemark/Towson City Center project is a template, I have grave concerns about setback variances — the last thing we want is a concrete canyon downtown.
That project looks like one big bunker from the outside. Alexandria, Harbor East and Bethesda, which Councilman David Marks and others cite as comparisons, offer a more sophisticated approach by incorporating transitions, wide brick sidewalks, current architecture, trees and parks.
The council must envision the long term. Developers should contribute to recreational space and funds as the county's Adequate Public Facilities (APF) ordinance requires; that is true "green" development and essential to the area's viability.
Walkability and a circulator bus are terrific ideas, as is keeping high-density to a prescribed small area. Owner-occupied units, such as condos, are essential for residents' commitment to the area.
But in the end, overspill, crime and traffic jams are real threats to this ideal vision of Towson. So let's avoid overgrowth and actually address how roads and county police are going to handle this.
Don't just slam-approve this zone and sidestep APF's goal of easing overburdened playing fields for the next generation. Mr. Marks has proposed that open space money (if there is any) be spent in the Towson area. Will this happen? The council needs to lead and create a thoughtful design plan for Towson 2.0, not a piecemeal, highest-value-per-square-foot, short-term free-for-all.
J.C. Simpson, Towson