Slide 1

Waldorf Urban Redevelopment

Area (WURC)

March 10, 2020

Presenters

Jason Groth, Planning Director

Taylor Yewell, Redevelopment Manager

Plans & Challenges

Slide 2

WURC: Plans & Challenges

Summary of the issue:

The WURC Zoning has created challenges for property

owners in the area for:

• Commercial/Light Industrial Uses

• Expansion of Non-conforming Uses

• New Uses/Leases of Existing Buildings

• New construction to a lesser degree

• Requirements placed upon new users of an existing building

• Concerns over parking improvements and new sidewalks

Slide 3

Evolution of the WURC

Quick History

✓ 1992 & 1997 Comprehensive Plans establish Waldorf

as our area to focus development intensity

✓ 2004 Waldorf Sub-Area Plan designates a Transit

Oriented Development (TOD) Corridor along MD 925

✓ 2008 Waldorf Urban Design Study (WUDS) refines

the boundary of the Waldorf Redevelopment Area

✓ 2010 Waldorf Urban Redevelopment Corridor

established creating two new zoning districts

• Waldorf Center (WC) & Acton Urban Center (AUC) zones

• Infrastructure Plan Developed 2013

• ~$30 Million Capital Improvement Program established

Slide 4

The Plan to Redesign Waldorf

Slide 5

Today’s Old Washington Road Corridor

Slide 6

The new Old Washington Road Corridor

Slide 7

Challenges for Today

Existing Buildings and Re-use of

Developed Properties

• Non-Conforming Uses in the WURC Zones

• Time Limitations to keep “Grandfathered” Status

• Mix of compatible uses - Surrounding uses tend to

be Commercial/Light Industrial

• Lack of marketability and Inability to lease existing

buildings

• Requirements to enhance the existing property or

Public Amenities

Slide 8

Challenges for Today

New Development

• Reduced Front Setbacks / Parking in rear of Building

• Frontage along Street (80% Minimum)

• Minimum Building Height (# of Stories)

• Parking Requirements

• Urban Design Requirements

• Larger Sidewalks, Street Trees, Street Lights, etc.

Slide 9

Previous Transitional Zoning

Changes for the WURC

Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA 13-132)

• Identified problems with meeting

redevelopment codes adopted in 2010 (size,

design-height, mix of uses, parking)

• Urban vs. Suburban Standards

• Met with property owners for over a year

• Drafted interim regulations

• Keep ability to meet overall vision, relief for

small development

Slide 10

Previous Transitional Zoning

Changes for the WURC

Details of Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA 13-132):

• Assist small business and property owners to

continue their operations while we transition over time

to a mixed use, TOD center

• Provides for a transitional time period based on sewer

availability

• Allows expansion of existing uses on site

• Permits projects to be phased in over time

• Keeps overall vision in place – allows smooth

transition

Slide 11

Previous Transitional Zoning

Changes for the WURC

ZTA 13-132 - Transitional Criteria

• Time: Two(2) years from when sewer is

available

• Uses can continue as permitted vs. non-

conforming

• Reduces building frontage on the street

• One (1) story height in north (AUC), Two (2)

story in south (WC)

• No floor area (lot coverage) restrictions

• Flexible parking

Slide 12

Recent Concerns Raised:

• Continued inability to lease existing property

• Non-confirming Status limiting ability to expand

• Sidewalks required for re-use of a property/building

Slide 13

Recommended Actions:

• Review the specific cases raised

• Determine if there is a need to accommodate changes

If needed…

• Develop modifications to the Transition Provisions

• Process resulting Text Amendments

Slide 14

Presented By:

Charles County Government

Department of Planning & Growth

Management(301) 645-0692 • GrothJ@CharlesCountyMD.gov

200 Baltimore Street – La Plata, MDMD Relay Service: 7-1-1

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www.CharlesCountyMD.gov