The Bel Air Planning Commission approved the site and landscape plan for Phase 4 of the Harford Mall redevelopment on Thursday night.

The fourth phase will feature two buildings, one that’s designed to house a restaurant and another for a soft goods, retail, or fast casual dining tenant, according to Christopher Mudd, an attorney who represents SJC Ventures, the contract purchaser and developer of Phase 4.

“I think what SJC is about to embark on here is going to be an absolute game changer for the area,” Mudd said.

The restaurant styled building, which they title building 400, will be approximately 5,256 square feet, while the other, building 500, will be 6,407 square feet. Mudd stated decorative fencing would be placed around each building, adding there currently aren’t tenants outlined for the space.

While driving from Towson into the town of Bel Air to attend the meeting, Mudd stated the current state of the mall looked “awful.”

“I was thinking to myself ‘I can’t wait to come back when [Phase 4] gets approved’ and when this is the marquee at the corner,” he said.

Phase 4, which sits near the corner of Boulton Street and Route 24, will include large quantities of greenery to make the area welcoming for guests and provide congregation space, if needed, Mudd said.

The addresses of some buildings within the mixed-use development was a concern for member Phil Raub, who stated most residents quickly locate places by GPS. Mudd added, he wouldn’t be surprised if minimal physical addresses were used, rather suite numbers, but added they would work with town officials to figure out a comprehensive plan.

Phase 4 is the final part of the reimagination of the Harford Mall.

Phase 1 of the project has full approval; it includes the former Sears, which closed in 2019, being rebuilt to accommodate an Amazon Fresh grocery store. The town expects the store to move in this year.

Phase 2, known as the Residence at Harford Mall, looks to convert the mall’s parking lot that backs into Boulton Street into a 33,200-square-foot, four-story parking garage, and add two four-story apartment buildings, two residential courtyards and 12,000 square feet of “amenities.” Last year, the planning commission granted a 12-month site plan extension for Phase 2, where developers CDP North LLC, requested more time for the “complicated project.”

Phase 3, known as The Shops at Harford, will include five commercial buildings and 1,472 parking spaces where Macy’s used to be. A 35,600-square-foot Whole Foods grocery store is expected to occupy one of the five buildings, with the other four expected to be luxury boutiques and restaurants with outdoor seating.

The redevelopment project of the mall is expected to bring hundred of thousands of dollars in new tax revenue to Bel Air annually.

Reporter Matt Hubbard contributed to this story. Have a news tip? Contact Shaela Foster at sfoster@baltsun.com or 443-826-5894.