HoCoZo

For those of you interested in zoning and development proposals here in Howard County, check out HoCoZo, our blog which posts upcoming pre-submission meetings and related information.

Baltimore City Zoning to Eliminate Liquor Stores?

Our practice areas include zoning law and liquor license applications. Interestingly, Baltimore City is undergoing an update of its zoning code and a proposal has been made to eliminate liquor stores which had previously been allowed to operate as a nonconforming use in areas where the zoning prohibits the establishment of a liquor store. The Baltimore Sun had an interesting perspective on the matter in a January 13, 2013 editorial column entitled Healthy Zoning. These proposals could make for interesting news over the next few months.

Happy Holidays!

Taylor Legal will be closed December 24 and December 25, 2012, and again December 31, 2012 and January 1, 2013.

We wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season!

Comprehensive Rezoning Deadline is 12/14/12

From Howard County's Department of Planning and Zoning:

Deadline Fast Approaching for Comprehensive Rezoning Proposals

The Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ) is accepting proposals for zoning map and regulation amendments through December 14, 2012.  Any property owner may request a zoning map change on their property.  For example, if a property is zoned for residential use, but the owner of that property wants the property zoned for business use, a request may be submitted.  Requests for zoning regulation changes, also known as text changes, may be made by anyone.  Until December 14, 2012, proposals for both types of zoning changes should be made via the official request forms, which can be found on the County’s website (www.howardcountymd.gov/compzoning). 
The 2012 Comprehensive Rezoning effort will include the following steps:

1.    DPZ accepts requests for zoning map and regulation changes

2.    DPZ compiles and evaluates all requests

3.    DPZ submits recommended changes to Planning Board and posts all properties

4.    Planning Board conducts a public hearing on recommendations

5.    Planning Board submits recommended actions to the Administration and County Council

6.    The Administration’s revised proposal is introduced as legislation to the County Council for its consideration

7.    County Council holds a public hearing

8.    County Council votes on recommendations

For general information and questions about the comprehensive rezoning process, residents may submit specific inquiries via email at compzoning@howardcountymd.gov and/or contact the County’s information line at 410-313-0500. 

Proposed legislation would make residents members of CA

From the Baltimore Sun: Proposed legislation would make residents members of CA

Make Sure Your File Your Real Property Homestead Tax Credit Application by 12/31/12!

From Joe Wathen, my realtor of choice:

DON'T LOSE YOUR HOMESTEAD TAX CREDIT - ACT NOW!!

DECEMBER 31, 2012 is the deadline for filing your Application for Homestead Tax Credit. It does not matter whether you have owned your house one year or twenty years.  An application must be filed by the end of the calendar year.

If your application is already on file and approved, you DO NOT need to reapply.  It only takes a minute to check to see if you have filed and if you are approved.  Follow these steps:

Click on this link:  http://sdatcert3.resiusa.org/rp_rewrite/

Select your County

Enter your street number and street name. 

Do not include Street, Court, Drive, etc.

Look at the bottom of the page and see if your Homestead application was filed.  If it was filed, the entry will show the date your application was approved.

IF IT SAYS "NO APPLICATION" then click on this link for the application:

http://www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/Homestead_application.pdf

Also, even after you have filed and been approved, you may not receive a credit on your tax bill.  The credits only appear when the assessed value of the property has increased over the allowable limits each year.  With declining assessment values, you may not actually receive a dollar credit

each year.   To learn more about  how the Homestead tax credit is

calculated,  click on the link below:

http://www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/homestead.html

Joe Wathen, ABR, CRS, GRI

Your Real Estate Consultant for Life

Full time Realtor since 1988

RE/MAX Hall of Fame

RE/MAX Advantage Realty

and the Bob Lucido Team

cell 410-707-4994

off 240-295-6000x1523

Joe@BobLucidoTeam.com

www.BobLucidoTeam.com

REMX007*Nobody Does It Better

Taylor Legal is Hiring an Office Administrator

Taylor Legal is looking for an Office Administrator who can work independently, is tenacious, extremely organized, trustworthy and tech-savvy. Legal office experience is a must.  The position will be approximately 10-12 hours per week, M,W, F from 10-2. The hours are flexible with advance notice.

If you know a suitable candidate, have them email Katherine Taylor at ktaylor@taylorlegal.com with a resume, pay requirements and references.