Redistricting Plan Would Shift Council Lines in Nearly All Districts

Nearly all Anne Arundel County Council districts would be redrawn to compensate for growth in one of two redistricting plans delivered to the council on Tuesday.

The council’s Charter Revision Commission gave their final report to the council at the outset of Tuesday’s meeting. The group has worked throughout the summer to devise an equalizing solution to growing pains in Districts 1 and 4. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, these areas changed the most between census periods, with District 1 shrinking and District 4 growing.

Chairman Jana Carey delivered two options to council members. The first would simply redraw the lines between Districts 1 and 4. Since they are adjacent, it’s an easy fix. But the other solution would shift district lines across the county, while also swapping Crofton between District 7 and District 4.

This solution was created to address concerns from residents in District 7 that the commission heard throughout their public hearings this summer. Carey said their message came through loud and clear—keep south county rural.

“Under this map, most of the county council districts would undergo a boundary shift,” she said.

Crofton and its surroundings would be moved to District 4. That district’s lines would have its excess populations moved into Districts 1, 2 and 6, with rural areas including Crownsville and Gambrills moved into District 7 “to enhance its rural nature.”

District 6 would also give up some territories to District 7 under this proposal, including Crownsville and the peninsula between the South River and Broad Creek. Districts 1, 2 and 3 also undergo some smaller changes, but District 5 would be left alone.

Council members had no questions for Carey at the end of her presentation. Council Chairman Dick Ladd said a vote would have to wait until at least December.

“It would be our intention to set this aside until we finish the heavy business of (comprehensive) rezoning, which would mean sometime in December before we consider the report," Ladd said.

Commission Vice Chairman Linda Schuett said the council has the option of ignoring the recommendations and instead making their own plan.

Rezoning Saga Concludes for Districts 6 and 7

Council members closed the book on the long process of comprehensive rezoning for Districts 6 and 7 on Tuesday by overriding 10 of 16 vetos by County Executive John Leopold.

Comprehensive rezoning for Districts 2, 3 and 5 is next on the council’s plate, set to begin in force at the council’s next meeting, scheduled for Sept. 19 at 7 p.m.