June 2008 - Howard County Update
  • Neighborhood Preservation Parcels - At the June 2 Council meeting, much anticipated legislation was introduced amending Howard County Zoning Regulations to establish new procedures detailing the process in which Neighborhood Preservation Parcels may be used as sending parcels to send residential density to certain receiving districts.


  • Design Advisory Panel - Legislation establishing a design advisory panel to review development plans for compliance with the Route 1 Manual passed the council on June 2. The 7 member panel is expected to convene in September, 2008, and will comprise professionals in the architecture, landscape design, community planning, and development fields.

    As enrolled, the bill applies only to age restricted conditional uses and to properties subject to the Route 1 design manuals. HBAM sent a letter opposing the bill to the County Executive and County Council because it is expected to quickly expand to cover Route 40, Columbia, and other jurisdictions in the County.


  • Multi-User Sewerage Systems - At the June 2 Council meeting, two bills were introduced regulating multi-user sewerage systems. Authorizing legislation allowing the county to regulate these sewerage systems passed in the General Assembly during the last session.
    o Bill 49-2008, Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive, will bring multi-user systems up to the same level of regulation and oversight currently governing shared systems. The bill sets the county Department of Public Works as the approving authority, requires permits from the Health Department and MDE, authorizes certain fees, requires financial management plans and annual financial statements, as well as other requirements for new multi-user systems.
    o Bill 51-2008, Introduced by Councilman Fox, prohibits installation of multi-use sewerage systems.


  • Electrical Codes - At the June 2 Council meeting, CB 47-2008 was introduced amending provisions of the County Code that regulate electrical work. The bill adopts the National Electrical Code for 2008, clarifies work that can be performed by certain homeowners, as well as makes other changes to electrical requirements in the county.


  • Route 1 Revitalization Allocations - For two months the Council has considered CB 39-2008, legislation amending APFO requirements to expand the eligibility for Route 1 revitalization allocations. The legislation expands the number of units that may be granted to a project, and advances allocations from future years.

    At the June 2 Council meeting, the legislation was tabled so the public would have more time to review 5 amendments to the legislation changing the boundaries to exclude most of Elkridge.


  • Adequate Public Facilities charts - At the June 2 Council meeting, Council Resolutions passed adopting the Housing Unit Allocation Chart for FY 2009, and adopting the Open/ Closed chart to designate the school regions and school districts that are open for residential development.

    Both resolutions use formulas to calculate results and non-confrontational. However, HBAM is watching to see if the Board of Education seeks to amend the Open/ Closed chart because of CB 39, legislation advancing housing allocations along the Route 1 Corridor.
    		• Michael Harrison
    Director of Policy for Government Affairs
    410-265-7400, ext. 109
    michael@homebuilders.org

    Service Area: Baltimore, Carroll, Howard Counties and State Legislation