QUESTION A - CHARTER AMENDMENT (BILL 19-25)

BALTIMORE COUNTY FARMLAND PRESERVATION ACT (URDL) Currently, the Planning Board changes the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line (URDL), which separates urban areas from rural areas in Baltimore County, largely in response to zoning changes or water/sewer designation changes enacted by the County Council. The Baltimore County Charter requires a simple majority of the County Council to approve changes by the Planning Board to the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line (URDL). This amendment to the Baltimore County Charter would require a vote of six (6) of the nine (9) members of the County Council rather than a simple majority of five (5) votes to approve changes to the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line (URDL) recommended by the Planning Board. All other planning and zoning matters would continue to be approved by a simple majority vote of the County Council. This would amend Section 522.1 of the Baltimore County Charter and add Section 1015 to the Baltimore County Charter. A vote FOR the amendment requires six (6) of the nine (9) members of the County Council to approve changes to the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line (URDL). A vote AGAINST the amendment keeps the current simple majority vote of 5 members of the County Council on changes to the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line (URDL) .