Over Objections, Baltimore City Council OKs Historic Rewrite of Zoning Code
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Wcbm
The Baltimore City Council gave preliminary approval Monday to the first overhaul of zoning rules in more than 40 years, affecting everything from fraternities to urban farms — but not before a bitter dispute erupted over liquor stores.
Councilman Nick J. Mosby clashed with colleagues over whether they were doing enough to crack down on problem liquor stores.
The zoning code rewrite would put dozens of liquor stores in residential neighborhoods out of business, but Mosby added a 60-page amendment to the legislation last week that Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young argued went too far against bars.
Council members voted 11-3 Monday night to strip Mosby’s amendment from the bill, saying that it was flawed and would hurt small businesses.
