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Comprehensive Planning
2021 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATES
The Planning and Community Development Department has reached out to various property owners, residents, business owners and other stakeholders within town to form four Focus Groups: #1 Sensitive Areas/Water, #2 Community Facilities/Historic Preservation, #3 Economic Development/Transportation, and #4 Housing/Land Use. Preliminary maps indicating proposed priorities are: Proposed Community Facilities and Parking, Proposed Transportation Facilities, Proposed Economic Development, Proposed Housing and Historic Preservation, Proposed Development Regulations and Proposed Land Use.
2022 Comprehensive Plan Final Draft Maps
These maps and associated narrative will be reviewed by the Bel Air Planning Commission and the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners during early 2022. Any comments or questions should be forwarded to the following email (planning@belairmd.org) or provided directly to the reviewing board at a public meeting which will be advertised on this website and the local paper.
Sensitive Areas Historic Properties Community Facilities Water Service Stormwater Management
Transportation - Vehicle and Transit Transportation - Bicycle & Pedestrian Transportation - Public Parking
Transportation - Parking by Permit Transportation - Road Classification Land Use
Land Utilization Existing Land Use Proposed Land Use Sustainable Communities Water Resources - Sewer Service
Municipal Growth Potential Annexation Housing Arts and Entertainment District
Economic Development - Low/Moderate Income Areas Main Street Maryland Area Comp Plan Final Draft
Comprehensive Plan 2016
The Bel Air Comprehensive Plan is a broad view of land use and public services. It adopts goals and objectives needed to guide the day to day decisions concerning development, financing, public improvements and regulatory needs. This plan provides the public with information needed to understand where social, economic and environmental policy is headed. The Comprehensive Plan can be viewed by through this link, emailing planning@belairmd.org or calling 410-638-4540.
Strategic Plan FY20 - FY24
The Strategic Plans the need for capital improvements and desired programs and sets a groundwork that provides for a menu of goals to bring the Town closer to a more environmentally friendly and resource independent municipality. Social, Environmental and Economic initiatives are examined and assigned priorities for the duration of the study period.
COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING SOURCES
Bel Air & Harford County Bicycle Network Study
The Town of Bel Air partnered with Harford County to work with students from the University of Maryland through PALS (Parntership for Action Learning in Sustainability) to conduct a study of the bicycle network in and around Bel Air. This study addressed connections, reviewed specific roadways, studied graphics, investigated existing conditions and applied authoritative standards to cycling routes designated by the Town and County. This analysis will be used as the Town moves forward with implementation of proposed Bicycle routes.
Go to this link to view the study.
Harford County 2019 Growth Report.
Go to this link to view the Report.
Annual Report 2020
A report by the Bel Air Planning Commission providing information related to the development that occurred during the year and changes to the zoning and regulations of the Town. This report is a requirement of the State of Maryland to assess the progress towards the goals of the Comprehensive Plan.
Police Department and Town Hall Expansion
The Town of Bel Air has long identified the need for expansion and/or renovation of the Police Department facilities. The Police lack dedicated space for crucial tasks, proper equipment to perform required duties and vital security improvements typically found in most current law enforcement buildings. Several studies have been prepared in the past, however, no progress has been made to address the perceived inadequacies. The Town Board decided in 2017 to push this effort forward before the conditions of the space currently occupied by the Police deteriorate any further.
A feasibility study was finalized in 2019 as part of the process for the Police expansion, which also included renovations to Town Hall administrative offices. Details of the Feasibility Study and Design of the new building is available on the Police Department page.
Bel Air Flood Mitigation Plan 2018
An assessment of the flood hazards in the Town using historical data and engineering analysis. This report provides for goals and objectives for reducing the flooding risk and associated property damage. It is particularly targeted to the special flood hazard areas in Bel Air that pose the greatest threat of flooding.
Bel Air Tree Plan 2019
An annual report that builds upon existing studies of tree canopy and conditions in the Town right-of-way and Town parks and establishes priorities for replacement and enhancement of street trees and forest areas. It also creates projects for the year to be accomplished using forest conservation funds from area development and from grant monies.Market Study 2016
Bel Air is known for its high quality of life, good schools, and for being the center of Harford County government. The Market Studyrevealed that there is a tremendous opportunity to build on the strengths of the community and elevate the Town into a vibrant arts and entertainment destination, while maintaining the Town's character and attractive qualities, including single-family homes and green space. Bel Air's downtown is well-positioned to be the epicenter of this transformation consisting of new restaurants, boutique destination retail establishments, entertainment venues, and upscale housing units.
Wayfinding in Bel Air 2016
The Town of Bel Air has completed a Wayfinding Plan designed to make it easier for residents and visitors to better find their way around town and the many amenities that the Town has to offer. To view the new Wayfinding Report, just click this link.US 1 / MD 22 Corridor Study (2015)
A major east-west corridor linking Main Street, the commercial properties in the Town of Bel Air, and numerous residential communities, educational facilities, and government offices.
Harford County and the Town of Bel Air partnered on a multi-modal transportation plan that serves existing and future travel demand while blending with the character of the communities it serves, improving air quality and offsetting congestion. The purpose is to provide feasible and cost efficient improvements that provide better complete streets, encourages better multi-modal cohesion and connectivity, provides mobility choices, and ensures positive results to the surrounding communities.