Chairman Ball and Members of the Howard County Council:

The League of Women Voters of Howard County supports County Council Bill 6, introduced by Council member Watson, to require that developers send notice of pre-submission meetings community meetings three weeks in advance regarding the date, time and location of the community meeting instead of the current two week notice.

The Bill also would allow a staff member of the Department of Planning and Zoning to attend the community meeting if requested by the developer or adjoining property owner or a community association that represents the area or any member of the County Council. The role of the Department in those community meetings is defined.

The League requested Department of Planning and Zoning staff be present in pre-submission community meetings during the public hearing on County Council Bill 4-2007. The League believes representation by the Department of Planning and Zoning will help all parties in community pre-submission meetings. The issues of residential infill can be complex and the County development approval process is complex. Residents of the County are served best by providing them with information and the tools to understand the process. The League urges the County Council to vote favorably on County Council Bill 6.

Sincerely,

Grace Kubofcik,
Co-President
Howard County League of Women Voters