Chairman Ball and Members of the County Council:

The Howard County League of Women Voters Land Use position calls for support for walkable/bikeable communities that encourage and sustain connectiveness, health, safety and convience. Based on that position the League supports Bill 69 which would require residential developments with 10 or fewer dwelling units to provide sidewalks on the portion of the development which fronts on a county or State road.

The League suggests that the language proposed in Section 16.134(a)(1)(ii) of the Planning and Zoning Subdivisions and Land Development Regulations is to broad and has potential unintended consequences. Application of theses provision to all development with 10 or fewer dwelling units on a County road in certain older communities where there are no existing sidewalks would not be sensible or in character with the existing neighborhood. The League suggests the language be amended to account for existing conditions.

The League supports the proposed language for a fee-in-lieu for minor subdivisions and that fee be used by the County through the capital budget process to construct sidewalks established by the County Sidewalk Master Plan.

The League urges favorable adoption of Council Bill 69 with a proposed amendment to Section 16.413(a)(1)(ii).

Barbara Russell
Co-president