Commission approves rezoning to recognize longstanding residence on New Jessup Highway

The Mainland Planning Commission on July 1 approved a rezoning request to change about 0.647 acres at 4568 New Jessup Highway from Highway Commercial to R‑9 single‑family residential.

Christopher Carey, senior planner, explained the property was rezoned to Highway Commercial in 2005 to facilitate sale and development but has been used and maintained as a residence since then; the home on the lot dates to 1953. Carey said a recent variance (ZV‑25‑9) reduced setback requirements for the property.

Owner Abel Garcia and agent Daryl Dawson participated; Dawson recused from the item and stepped away when the commission acted. Commissioners asked whether adjoining commercial property owners would face new buffer requirements if they expanded; Carey said buffers could apply if adjacent commercial redevelopment required site‑plan review, but that routine use changes without expansion would not automatically trigger new buffering.

A motion to approve rezoning application ZM‑25‑9 passed 4–0 with Commissioner Dawson recused. The rezoning aligns the property’s zoning with the owner’s current residential use; any future development or expansion on adjacent parcels may trigger separate site‑plan or buffer requirements.