NOTTINGHAM, MD—Baltimore County Councilman David Marks on Tuesday announced that he will recommend 275 acres of land along Franklin Square Drive be designated as Neighborhood Commons zoning, which prohibits any development.

The open space zoning category was created under a law sponsored by Councilman Marks and has protected over 4,000 acres of land in Baltimore County.

“This is the largest designation of Neighborhood Commons zoning in this region of Baltimore County,” said Councilman Marks. The designation means that this land owned by government and other entities cannot be developed.

Councilman Marks has initiated a review of more than 5,000 acres of land in the Fifth District as part of the Comprehensive Zoning Map Process to preserve open space and ensure that development is compatible with communities. This recommendation is the first announcement since the community public hearing on July 27th.