Zoning Board Case ZB 1130M Continued Hearing - February 26, 2026

The Howard County Hearing Examiner, Joyce Nichols, continued the evidentiary hearing for Zoning Board Case ZB 1130M, a petition by Corridor Square, LLC to reclassify parcels (7253 Washington Boulevard, Elkridge, MD) from the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Zoning District to the B-2 (Business General) Zoning District with a motor vehicle fueling facility, convenience store, and car wash. The hearing resumed at approximately 10:00 AM on February 26, 2026, following the previous day's proceedings.

Discussion Items

• Traffic Expert Testimony (Mr. Cornelius): The petitioner’s traffic engineer, Mr. Cornelius, continued under direct examination by Mr. DiCarlo (petitioner’s attorney). Key points included:
  • Dorsey MARC Station Parking Lot Access: The parking lot is served only by the Maryland 100 interchange, with no connectivity to Deer Path Road, due to federal funding restrictions. Redevelopment of the lot has been hindered by access limitations.
  • Bus Stop Locations: The closest MTA bus stops are along Route 1 near the Maryland 103 intersection, on both sides of Route 1. Mr. Cornelius stated the stops are walkable from the subject property, but the existing frontage of Route 1 lacks sidewalks or shoulders, making pedestrian access unsafe. The proposed development includes a shared-use path along Route 1 to improve safety.
  • Walking Distance to Transit: Mr. Cornelius testified that the general guideline for walkability to transit is a quarter mile, up to a half mile. Distances beyond a half mile reduce transit ridership. He noted that the TOD district’s 3,500-foot (approx. 0.66 mile) standard is generous.
• Cross-Examination by Mr. Zinner (Protestant/Opposition): Mr. Zinner questioned Mr. Cornelius about specific bus stops, routes, and frequency. Mr. Cornelius acknowledged that a bus stop on the east side of Route 1 south of Maryland 103 serves routes to the MARC station (approx. 7 minutes, hourly service). Mr. Zinner suggested that bus access to the station is more convenient than walking, and questioned whether walking 1.5 miles would be safe. Mr. Cornelius replied that safety depends on the route; with sidewalks from future developments, walking could be safe.
• Redirect Examination by Mr. DiCarlo: Mr. Cornelius reiterated that without development, the Route 1 frontage remains unsafe for pedestrians. He stated that the condition has existed for decades and that the state has no planned improvements.
• Questioning by Mr. Foreman (Protestant): Mr. Foreman asked about transit-oriented development (TOD) definitions. Mr. Cornelius opined that TOD areas typically reference pedestrian walkability to major rail hubs, not bus stops, and that Howard County’s TOD district focuses on rail. He noted the county’s 3,500-foot walking distance is generous.
• Hearing Examiner’s Questions: Examiner Nichols asked Mr. Cornelius to interpret the TOD purpose clause phrase “other public transit links.” Mr. Cornelius testified that it likely means major bus terminals, not general bus stops, as otherwise TOD could be applied countywide.
• Technical Difficulty: Before the next witness (supporters waiting to testify) could be heard, a technical issue with the online broadcast (“Watch Us” page) was identified. A 10-minute break was called to resolve the issue. The hearing adjourned for the break at approximately 11:30 AM.

Key Outcomes

• No decisions or votes were made. The hearing continued with testimony from the petitioner’s traffic expert. Testimony from supporters was pending after the break. The case remains ongoing.