Coldstream Project

Progress Diary to come. Email TheLegacyQueen@gmail.com for more info.

Coldstream Homestead Montebello

Urban Renewal Plans for Baltimore City
- Coldstream Homestead Montebello
Neighborhood Information
- Source: Live Baltimore
  - Coldstream Homestead Montebello (or CHUM) in East Baltimore borders Clifton Park. The neighborhood of wide rowhomes, many with front porches or sun porches and small yards, offers easy access to all the amenities offered in the nearby park.
  - Nearby
    - Five playgrounds, swimming, basketball, baseball, football, soccer, tennis and an 18-hole golf course are all a short walk away!
    - Public Transit
      - BWI Airport....30 minutes
      - Charles Center….15 minutes
      - Penn Station….10 minutes
      - Bike and Scooter Share
      - Rideshare
  - 52% Own
  - 48% Rent
- Source: Wikipedia
- Source: CHAP
  - Historical and Architectural Preservation
    - Coldstream Homestead Montebello - National Register of Historic Places 10/23/13

Permitting

The permitting process seamed to take much longer than normal. After talking with the Northern District Planner, I found out that it was because every permit application had to go through an additional approval process in that neighborhood to help maintain the historical character. This was because they (the URP - Urban Renewal Plan) wanted to maintain the historic old brick porch front look of the neighborhood and make sure that it remained residential. In the past, my property was used as a liquor store on the main level and apartments upstairs. However, if a business has not been operational in the last 12 months, then it can no longer be used as a business unless you apply for a new permit and possible zoning variance.

This is the message I got from the Permitting office.

Your application has been referred to the Dept. of Planning for review because the property address is within an Urban Renewal, Planned Unit Development (PUD),

Multi-unit

I heard how hard it was to add convert a single family back to a multi-unit so I didn't want to risk it. However after talking to the Northern District Planner, she indicated that it might still be possible because the goal of the URB was to maintain a historical residential neighborhood and a duplex was still residential. She said that it would be harder to convert a single family to a multifamily, but it the property was already split up, it may be possible to turn it back into a duplex.

The zoning office determined that since it had been previously zoned as a 2 unit property, they would allow for it to continue to be used as a 2 unit property.

Design Concept

Modern (quartz countertops and stainless steel)
Multiple Bedrooms and Bathrooms to accommodate Room Rentals or Large Family
Neutral Palette Covers

Before

Property Description:

Lots of opportunity with end unit townhome in Baltimore 2 separate meters . Home perfect for assisted living or room share (up to 6 possible rooms)! Main level includes 2 bedroom 1 bath, Upper level includes 1 bed 1 bath. Basement includes 8ft ceilings and full bath and can be converted into 3rd unit. Easy access to downtown Baltimore, shopping and dining.

After

Property Description:

Newly Renovated from Top to Bottom!

New Appliances (2023). New Flooring (2023), Tile (2023), and Kitchen Cabinets (2023).
New Roof (2022), HVAC (2023), Plumbing (2023), New Commercial Hot Water Heater (2023), Electrical system (2023).
This home is set up as a two unit duplex or a with a basement apartment with separate entrance.
- Unit 1 is on the top two levels and has 5 bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms.
- Unit 2 is a basement apartment with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
- With a total of 7 bedrooms and 7.5 bathrooms, there is plenty of space for you to use. Come into the open concept living room and kitchen area with 2 Fridges upstairs, a dishwasher, stove, and washer and dryer. On the main level is a large primary bedroom with ensuite bathroom and walk in closet. Go upstairs to the top floor to find 4 additional bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. That's 5 bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms in the upstairs unit.
- This end of row home, has a walkout English basement with a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom in-law suite. The English basement has a completely separate entrance. There is also a separate kitchenette in the basement with a fridge and dishwasher, and a separate washer/dryer for your basement guest. You can live in 1 part of the house and rent out the other part of the house. There is a bathroom for every bedroom so the possibilities are unlimited! In-law suite. Room rentals. Short term rental. Midterm rental. Long term rental. The choice is yours.