Bio
Adam Baker is a partner in the firm’s Land Use and Zoning group with a focus on real estate transactions. Since 2006, Adam has represented developers, institutions, property owners and companies in a variety of transactional and administrative real estate matters. Adam advises clients on all aspects of land use and zoning issues, primarily in Baltimore, Howard and Anne Arundel Counties. His practice includes representation before government and regulatory organizations and counseling clients on issues related to the entitlement and permit processes, including use restrictions, off-street parking requirements, stormwater management, historic preservation, traffic mitigation, green building requirements and incentives, inclusionary housing obligations, and liquor licensing, among others.
He is a LEED accredited professional of the U.S. Green Building Council and has spoken and written extensively on the topic of sustainable development.
Practice Groups
Bar Admissions
- Maryland
Education
- University of Baltimore School of Law, J.D. (2005)
- Washington and Lee University, B.A. (2001)
- Greater Towson Committee
- MBIA
- University of Baltimore – Real Estate and Economic Development Advisory Board
- LEED Accredited Professional
- ULI Baltimore – Regionalism Committee Co-Chair
- U.S. Lacrosse – Ethics Advisory Subcommittee
- Chartwell Golf & Country Club – Strategic Planning
- Super Lawyers Rising Star: Real Estate (2012 – present)
- Best Lawyers in America®: Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law (2023-present)
- Baltimore City Proposes Annual Licensing Fee Increase on Commercial Parking Facilities
- Anne Arundel County – General Development Plan Land Use Change Applications due by November 15, 2019
- Proposed Changes to Howard County Forest Conservation Act Projected to Exceed Requirements of the Maryland Forest Conservation Act
- Forest Conservation Bill Poses Significant Threat to Development in Anne Arundel County
- Baltimore County Gets Ready for 2020 Comprehensive Zoning Map Process
- Anne Arundel County 2040 General Development Plan Gets New Direction under County Executive Pittman
Experience
- Assist various fast-food clients in obtaining special exception and variance relief for dual-lane drive-thru redevelopments in Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County.
- Obtained conditional use and variance approval for gas station redevelopment in Ellicott City, Howard County. Redevelopment consisted of new canopy and 4 additional fueling positions, removal of existing service garage and replaced with 3,500 sf convenience store, improved ingress/egress, and new signage.
- Obtain rezoning for shopping center properties to allow expansion/redevelopment to incorporate multifamily component to existing shopping center. Rezonings are accomplished through the Baltimore County Comprehensive Zoning Map Process.
- Successfully secure zoning and development approvals for self-storage facility expansions and new developments across Baltimore County and Anne Arundel County, including variance, special exception, and setback approvals, as well as engagement with local communities and officials.
- Obtain variance relief for residential development on undersized lots in Baltimore County.
- Represented restaurant in obtaining conditional use and variance approval in Howard County to expand existing restaurant operation to include on site garden, reception area, and private dining component.
- Represented farm/Community Sustainable Agriculture program in obtaining zoning variance relief to permit existing farm structures located within the required yard setbacks to remain in Howard County. Worked with County Council representative and neighbor to address encroachment issues unrelated to the requested zoning relief, which resulted inCounty Council and neighbor’s support of the petition.
- Represented Catholic religious order in obtaining development approvals for construction of a facility which included new residences and offices on their Baltimore City property. Coordinated with community organization and City Council representative in obtaining support for the development.
- Represented regional car wash operator in obtaining a special exception approval for a car wash facility in Baltimore County.
- Represented local bank in obtaining zoning and development relief to permit an addition to its office building with accessory parking in a residential zone. Worked extensively with County Council representative and community organization in addressing community concerns and obtaining community support of the project before the Administrative Law Judge.
- Represented cemetery in amending existing special exception approval to add a pet crematorium facility with accessory parking in Baltimore County.
- Represented developer in obtaining zoning and development approval for a 9-lot residential subdivision in Baltimore County.
- Represent companies in obtaining zoning variance approval to erect wall mounted signs on building exteriors.
- Representing regional utility provider in petitioning Baltimore City Council for amendments to a comprehensive rezoning bill.
- Represented country club in petitioning the City Council for amendments to the comprehensive rezoning bill.
- Represented local kennel in obtaining confirmation of a nonconforming use through a special hearing in Baltimore County.
- Represented developer in obtaining approval of a Planned Unit Development (PUD) in Baltimore County which consisted of a combination of uses including a variety of home types, retail/office services, a community center, a new elementary school site, playgrounds and ball fields, preservation of a historic house, and an integrated open space system throughout the development.
- Represented developer in obtaining approval of a Planned Unit Development for a mixed-use development consisting of retail, office and residential in Baltimore County. Worked extensively with county agencies and County Council in initial approval and two subsequent plan amendments.
- Represented developer in obtaining special exception approval for a proposed Wawa gas station and convenience store use in the City of Laurel.
- Represented developer in obtaining zoning and development approvals for 42 lot residential single family subdivision in Baltimore County. Matter was approved by the Administrative
- Law Judge and appealed to the Board of Appeals and later to the Circuit Court, where it was dismissed after we were able to negotiate a Settlement Agreement with the opposition to the proposed development.
- Represented senior housing developer in Baltimore County in obtaining approval for a Planned Unit Development (PUD) consisting of a variety of independent living units, assisted living units and Alzheimer’s care units for a total of 225 units.
- Represented developer in obtaining approval for a Medical Office Planned Unit Development in Baltimore County. This matter was appealed to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals where we prevailed on behalf of our client.
- Represented developer in obtaining special exception approval for Wawa gas station and convenience store use in Baltimore County. The matter is currently before the Maryland Court of Appeals.
Insights
Baltimore County Council Approves Master Plan 2030
On February 20, 2024, the Baltimore County Council voted to approve the Baltimore County 2030 ...
Read More Baltimore County Begins 2024 Comprehensive Zoning Map Process
In September 2023, Baltimore County will kick off its Comprehensive Zoning Map Process (“CZMP”). The ...
Read More Proposed Changes to Howard County Forest Conservation Act Projected to Exceed Requirements of the Maryland Forest Conservation Act
At a press conference last week, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced that he would ...
Read More Anne Arundel County – General Development Plan Land Use Change Applications due by November 15, 2019
As part of the process of adopting the new General Development Plan for Anne Arundel ...
Read More Forest Conservation Bill Poses Significant Threat to Development in Anne Arundel County
Anne Arundel County Council Bill No. 68-19, which was recently introduced at the request of ...
Read More Baltimore County Gets Ready for 2020 Comprehensive Zoning Map Process
In September 2019, Baltimore county will kick off the Comprehensive Zoning Map Process (“CZMP”). The ...
Read More Thirty-Five Rosenberg Martin Greenberg Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in Best Lawyers® 2024, Two as “Lawyer of the Year”
Rosenberg Martin Greenberg, LLP is proud to announce that 35 of its attorneys have been ...
Read More Twenty-Six Rosenberg Martin Greenberg, LLP Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2023 Edition
Rosenberg Martin Greenberg, LLP is proud to announce that 26 of its attorneys have been ...
Read More Rosenberg Martin Greenberg, LLP Elects Five New Partners
Rosenberg Martin Greenberg, LLP is pleased to announce the election of five of its attorneys ...
Read More Baltimore City Proposes Annual Licensing Fee Increase on Commercial Parking Facilities
At the July 6, 2020 Baltimore City Council meeting, Councilmembers Ryan Dorsey and Shannon Sneed ...
Read More Adam D. Baker Joins Rosenberg Martin Greenberg as Counsel
Rosenberg Martin Greenberg, a mid-sized business law firm headquartered in Baltimore, MD with offices in ...
Read More Thirty RMG Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in Best Lawyers® 2025, Two as “Lawyer of the Year”
Rosenberg Martin Greenberg, LLP is proud to announce that 30 of its attorneys have been ...
Read More