A master class in how to turn Baltimore County’s zoning into a political free-for-all
The culture of soft corruption has long existed in the county. It’s getting worse, not better. [OP-ED]
Business & DevelopmentOct 21, 2025
Councilman Torrence blasts Scott’s zoning bills “on behalf of my residents in Sandtown-Winchester”
By a close margin, the City Council last night advanced sweeping changes supporters said would help Baltimore grow and opponents said would drive Black residents out.
Sisson Street trash station task force names Councilwoman Ramos as chair
Also announced today: Calvin Young, point man for the unpopular Sisson Street relocation plan, will “shift” from mayor’s chief of staff to an interim deputy mayor.
CommentaryOct 20, 2025
The false promise of zoning bills being pitched as a path to affordable housing
Councilman Ryan Dorsey and Mayor Brandon Scott are instituting a sweeping overhaul of Baltimore zoning rules that will hurt residents of this “city of neighborhoods.” [OP-ED]
Business & DevelopmentOct 17, 2025
Some Council members push back as Mayor Scott’s zoning bills move steadily forward
A measure ending the requirement for apartment projects to include parking and another allowing rowhouses to be built closer to the property line are coming before the Council for a vote Monday.
Oct 16, 2025
Baltimore’s now $5.6 million website redesign will be out-of-date when it’s launched
The inspector general finds eye-popping new costs in the overhaul of the city’s website that, strangely, has it running on a soon-to-expire content management system.
The Drip
Your quick news fix
Oct 12, 2025
Brew’s Shen and Reutter honored by Baltimore City Historical Society
Sep 2, 2025
Jennifer Bishop to talk about five decades of photography in Baltimore
Jul 30, 2025
Is Pat Young preparing the way for a flip-flop?
Jul 25, 2025
Nurses return to work after 24-hour strike at Ascension St. Agnes Hospital
Jul 21, 2025
Rally in support of Kelly Madigan as Klausmeier mulls choice for county inspector general
Special Series
Cold Brew
A refresher from the archives
Documents show Baltimore County was set to build stormwater line to keep Olszewski’s property dry
When flooding threatened the house that Johnny Olszewski built on Millers Island, Baltimore County stepped in with a costly storm drain plan. That plan is no longer “active,” his administration says.
Recent Comments
Gerald Neily:
Nearly five years later, this article is an even more brilliant and revealing account of how planning happens…
Matt Gonter:
Well, since you blocked me on Twitter and Facebook, I had to remind you, one or way another,…
Carol Ott:
Mr. Gonter, I’m really confused as to why you’re A) commenting on a two-year old blog post, and…
Rusty Shackleford:
Then maybe you should butt out of 1st District affairs. By the way, I was also right about…
Carol Ott:
No, Mr. Gonter, I didn’t. Because I don’t live in the 1st. But I’m glad Mr. Cohen won…