August 27, 2020
Media Contact:
Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – County Executive Calvin Ball is inviting the Howard County community to share their voices and create one vision for the next General Plan Update. HoCo By Design. Ball also pre-filed selections for the Planning Advisory Committee, which will need to be approved by the Howard County Council.
“This is a once in a decade opportunity to shape how the County grows and responds to changing demographics and regional shifts,” said Ball. “We want HoCo By Design to be the community’s vision for the future and invite all of Howard County’s residents, employees, business or property owners, students, renters and home owners to be a part of this process and share with us your vision for the future. A special thank you to our Planning Advisory Committee members for their dedication to planning Howard County’s next 20 years.”
The Planning Advisory Committee is appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the Howard County Council. To view a complete list of community stakeholders and residents selected, please click here. Committee members represent community leaders, service providers, industry groups, and the general public and serve as a sounding board to the consultant about the community’s needs and desires in the development of the General Plan. In addition to the information we gather from our robust community engagement process, the Planning Advisory Committee members will assist in developing and identifying themes and reviewing data and recommendations that will be presented in the plan and will serve as ambassadors for the process.
“The Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ) is extremely grateful to the Planning Advisory Committee for their time and commitment to Howard County,” said Amy Gowan, Director of DPZ. “They represent a balance of experience and expertise in different subject areas that will serve to inform HoCo By Design so that it can reflect a variety of perspectives.”
HoCo By Design is providing several engagement opportunities for residents to provide input and identify community priorities for maintaining and improving the County’s quality of life. This week, HoCo By Design launched “On the Table” an interactive activity that encourages residents to host a conversation with family and friends about what they want Howard County to look like moving forward.
To learn more about the effort, stay updated on progress, participate in engagement activities and events, and learn fun facts about Howard County planning, like us on Facebook and visit & register at HoCoByDesign.com.
About HoCo By Design
As Howard County's next General Plan update, HoCo By Design will be a visionary document reflecting a process that encourages the community to think big about its long-term future. Upon adoption, the General Plan will present official statements and preferences toward growth, development, and conservation in the County and help current and future leaders make decisions about regulations, requirements, ordinances, and policies. While the General Plan provides a long-term 20 year vision for the future, its implementation occurs in incremental steps over time, which will be outlined in the final document.