The Baltimore City Department of Planning Department began a Key Highway Waterfront Planning study in February, 2005 with a task force of neighborhood residents and property owners. The goal was to fashion guidelines and recommendations for the redevelopment of the Key Highway waterfront and the city’s Fire Department Repair Facility. The task force completed its work in October, 2005 and its recommendations were completed by November, 2005.
Guiding Principles of the Key Highway Waterfront Plan
Open Space
- Create world class waterfront open space
- Maximize neighborhood views and access to the waterfront
- Redesign Key Highway for people as well as cars
Building Form
- Promote an active, pedestrian friendly Key Highway thorough active publicly accessible ground floor uses in new developments, and new high density residential development
- Create neighborhood friendly buildings which provide places for people to shop, live and work.
Transportation
- Provide a comprehensive plan for managing the impact of traffic and parking demand from new development
- Promote the development of transit resources along Key Highway, and the encourage a reduction of parking demand though parking management strategies
The Planning Department, following these recommendations, has begun draft controls and regulations to implement the zoning, development controls, and disposition of land in the area.