Adding on to Bowie homes may get easier

The end result would mean that more people would be able to build patios, additions and wider driveways on their properties without having to file for a variance request.

Lot coverage refers to the amount of roofed structures and parking on a property. Most of the city is under two zoning designations that allow up to 30 percent lot coverage. However, a fair share of Levitt houses – roughly 1,000 – are in the residential-rural (R-R) zoning area, which only allows 25 percent lot coverage.

The discrepancy has created headaches for the city. The Bowie Advisory Planning Board, which hears requests for housing expansions, has pushed for changes to the zoning code that would make it easier for people in smaller housing lots to make reasonable additions to their home.

Residents who want to go over the mandated percentage have to file a variance request, which has tough requirements that subsequently leads to many denials.

The letter is suggesting that all Bowie homes in the R-R zone that were built before 1975 be allowed to cover 30 percent of their lots.

‘‘I think it would tend to reduce the number [of variance requests] we are seeing,” said Planning

Director Joe Meinert. ‘‘We are seeing quite a few within the R-R zone, yet there is no difference in size than in the other zones.”

The city is asking for a zoning amendment, which it believes would be easier to accomplish than a total revision of code, Meinert said. Turner will have to put forth legislation, which would likely require the county planning department to review the impact on the entire county, not just Bowie.

Budget wrap-upat next meeting

Next week’s City Council meeting is a budget work session during which the council will review the final parts of the budget.

It will be the last council discussion on the budget, and some councilmen may propose changes to the proposed $50 million spending plan.

Among proposed changes, the council will review the budgets of the planning and IT departments, as well as the city’s equipment acquisition and rainy day funds.

There are no more public hearings on the budget, though residents can review the proposed spending plan at www.cityofbowie.org. The council will vote for the budget’s adoption on May 29, and the document will go into effect July 1.

Improvements made to Gallant Fox Park

Councilman Jack Jenkins (Dist. 2) complained last month to the city staff about the condition of Gallant Fox Park, which he said was poor and unkempt. Staff responded that the city is working to remove weeds and keep the park looking maintained.

The park is located on Route 197 next to the McDonald’s at Gallant Fox Lane. The park was constructed last year and was maintained by a contractor. That contractor mowed and performed weed removal only once a month.

However, the city has now taken control of the park’s maintenance and is mowing the property once a week, and the city is spraying to destroy invasive weeds and plants that have created the overgrown look, the city staff report said.

The report said it ‘‘will take some years to create” a groomed look because the trees need time to grow. About 25 dead trees have been replaced by the city, which the contractor will pay for, the report said.

E-mail Jason Flanagan at jflanagan@gazette.net.