Md. Code, Land Use § 4-204
This is the official text of Md. Code, Land Use § 4-204, part of Maryland’s Code, Land Use — governs zoning and land use planning.
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§4–204.
Official statutory text
(a) Zoning regulations and boundaries may be amended or repealed.
(b) (1) If the purpose and effect of a proposed map amendment is to change a zoning classification, the legislative body shall make findings of fact that address:
(i) population change;
(ii) the availability of public facilities;
(iii) present and future transportation patterns;
(iv) compatibility with existing and proposed development for the area;
(v) the recommendation of the planning commission; and
(vi) the relationship of the proposed amendment to the local jurisdiction’s plan.
(2) The legislative body may grant the amendment to change the zoning classification based on a finding that there was:
(i) a substantial change in the character of the neighborhood where the property is located; or
(ii) a mistake in the existing zoning classification.
(3) The legislative body shall keep a complete record of a hearing on an application for reclassification and the votes of the members of the legislative body.
(4) A legislative body may not allow the filing of an application for a reclassification of all or part of any land for which a reclassification has been denied by the legislative body on the merits in the 12 months before the date of the application.
(5) The provisions of § 4–203(b) of this subtitle concerning public hearings and notice apply to applications for reclassification.
(b) (1) If the purpose and effect of a proposed map amendment is to change a zoning classification, the legislative body shall make findings of fact that address:
(i) population change;
(ii) the availability of public facilities;
(iii) present and future transportation patterns;
(iv) compatibility with existing and proposed development for the area;
(v) the recommendation of the planning commission; and
(vi) the relationship of the proposed amendment to the local jurisdiction’s plan.
(2) The legislative body may grant the amendment to change the zoning classification based on a finding that there was:
(i) a substantial change in the character of the neighborhood where the property is located; or
(ii) a mistake in the existing zoning classification.
(3) The legislative body shall keep a complete record of a hearing on an application for reclassification and the votes of the members of the legislative body.
(4) A legislative body may not allow the filing of an application for a reclassification of all or part of any land for which a reclassification has been denied by the legislative body on the merits in the 12 months before the date of the application.
(5) The provisions of § 4–203(b) of this subtitle concerning public hearings and notice apply to applications for reclassification.
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