RECAP: District 3 CZMP Hearing

(8:35 p.m.)—On a personal note, I enjoy when speakers approach the podium without a script. Wild cards. It's the little things. 

(8:09 p.m.)—Reisterstown gets first plug of the evening. District 3, if you haven't already guessed, is huge, 

(7:55 p.m.)—To recap the biggest issues tonight: Manor Tavern, College Manor, preserving open space in North County and Hunt Valley Presbyterian Church. 

(7:49 p.m.)—There is a fair amount of backlash against the Lutherville Community Association tonight regarding its campaign against College Manor. 

(7:30 p.m.)—An elder at Hunt Valley Presbyterian Church, Inc. asks the council to approve zoning. "We are pleased and exciting about the growth we are experiencing. We see it as a good problem." 

(7:25 p.m.)—A woman is now speaking out against College Manor. Says this is the fifth time they've had to fight against upzoning. She's asking why College Manor won't sign compromise. Details . 

(7:23 p.m.)—Just got a lovely history lesson on Our Lady Manor. Apparently Lord Baltimore set aside 10,000 acres to preserve for his lucky lady still in Europe. Touching. Can't verify on my current aircard connection. 

(7:19 p.m.)—Circling back to Manor Tavern. If I understand this correctly, the Tavern wants to upzone to 5 acres total. Surprise. It's not sitting well with the neighbors. "You could put a Martin's West on 5 acres." 

(7:14 p.m.)—A Melancthon Avenue resident does not want College Manor to go "belly up ... just sitting there on 11 acres." Says it could be an eyesore and dangerous. 

(7:11 p.m.)—Two more speakers support College Manor back to back. Maybe Bunny Renaud decided to enlist help after all? (The running joke from supporters is that "one day, we might wind up there," they say.) 

(7:09 p.m.)—One of the speakers asks Councilman Huff to make good on his campaign pledge for land consersvation. First. But likely not the last. 

(7:06 p.m.)—Another supporter for College Manor. Says he grew up in the nearby Country Club Park. His mother still lives there. "We need to encourage quality nursing home care operates," the speaker says. 

(7:05 p.m.)—Eric Rockel pleads that the council only allow 2 acres be rezoned at College Manor. He noted that no historic property has the zoning College Manor is asking for. He urged a compromise. 

(6:57 p.m.)—Note to speakers: Historically, traffic is not taken in account as a primary reason to deny or approve zoning. 

(6:49 p.m.)—Topic switches to Hunt Valley Presbyterian Church, Inc., deemed a "mega church" by a speaker seeking the council to deny a zoning request. 

(6:34 p.m.)—The resounding cries of everyone living north of Hunt Valley are (to paraphrase) "keep it rural," "enjoy the scenic byway," "farm land, farm land, farm land." 

(6:32 p.m.)—"If I have to listen to Proud Mary play one more time, I'll scream," says a woman against Manor Tavern's rezoing request to become an event destination. She was explain how she can't stand the tipsy patrons and living music. 

(6:31 p.m.)—Another College Manor employee is explaining how the needs of residents at the assisted living center has changed. 

(6:30 p.m.)— College Manor board president Bunny Renaud is making her case to have a portion of her 11-acre plot to be rezoned to accomodate a new wing. "Our goal is not selfish," she says. 

(6:26 p.m.)—Speaker uses stuffed "brown trout" and bald eagle toys to get her point across. Development in the area threatens these animals she says. 

(6:25: p.m.)—First spate of speakers are all speaking to issues impacting Sparks-Glencoe. Details: here. 

(6:20 p.m.)—Monkton residents are lobbying for rural land in North County. A speaker says 100 acres are in jeopardy under an up-zone request. 

(6:17 p.m.)—"Sometimes compromise is not the answer." These speakers aren't messing around tonight. 

(6:15 p.m.)— 1,110 votes have been collected at Obrecht Properties, LLC and its request for rezoning, says the third speaker tonight. "Upzoning on rural farm lands ... puts our wells in jeopardy." 

(6:06 p.m.)—He's here. The Councilman Tom Quirk (District 1) bangs the gavel and the hearing is underway. Again, post comments, ask questions, and state your opinions below.

(6:05 p.m.)—Waiting on Third District Councilman Todd Huff to show. That's sort of important when discussing District 3. I saw members of his entourage. 

(6 p.m.)—I was told that about 70 people have signed up to speak tonight. It's a fair guess that one of the hotter topics up for discussion tonight will center on College Manor. 

(5:30 p.m.)—It seems that interested speakers got the memo that sign ups for tonight's District zoning hearing started at 5 p.m. 

Join them as Patch live blogs tonight's hearing. 

The hearing will begin at 6 p.m. here at Loch Raven High School in Towson. 

If you have a question or would like to submit an opinion, post your thoughts in the comments section below or email editor Nick DiMarco at nickd@patch.com. 

Click here to see the most updated list of issues facing District 3.