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CChairmen Erskine and Howard and members of the Task Force: The League of Women Voters of Howard County thanks the members of the Task Force for their time, energy and considerable experience focusing on public engagement, a critical element in Howard County Land Use processes. We also appreciate the opportunities that you have given to the public to engage in the Task Force's discussion by participation in your meetings and in reviewing your discussions through published minutes on the County web site and a blog.A League principle is that "democratic government depends upon the informed and active participation of its citizens and requires that governmental bodies protect the citizen's right to know..." The League supported Council members Terrasa and Sigaty in their idea to form the Task Force and Council Resolution 132 -2007 which created the Task Force. The League urges the Task Force to ensure three concepts in the Land Use processes:
Notice of upcoming Land Use cases. At least 30 days notice of a land use case should be made available on the County web site for all Planning Board cases. This would be consistent with the 30 day public notice for Hearing Examiner and Board of Appeals cases. The League appreciates the idea of a centralized land use docket suggested by the Task Force subcommittee 1 which would contain schedules. The League suggests that the Zoning Board schedule be included. Technical staff reports. The Department of Planning and Zoning technical staff reports need to be available two weeks prior to Land Use cases being presented to the Planning Board, the Hearing Examiner or the Board of Appeals. Posting of property. All properties under consideration for a land use change either zoning or use (Zoning Regulation Amendments) should be posted. Property posting is essential in the comprehensive process including property changes proposed by the Department of Planning and Zoning's petition. In addition, the Department of Planning and Zoning web site should map the location of the proposed change 30 days prior to the Planning Board hearing. Property owner's notification. Mail notification should be made to adjacent property owners as well as to known community or homeowners associations for all properties proposed for a comprehensive zoning land use change. Comprehensive Zoning defined time frames and limits. Requests for land use and regulations changes should have specific time frames for submittal and deadlines. The Department of Planning and Zoning and the County Council should have specific time frames for changes and deadlines. Task Force subcommittee 2 made similar recommendations. County Council Rules for approval of Land Use Master Plans and Comprehensive Zoning. The County Council legislative rules for adoption of Land Use Master Plans and Comprehensive Zoning should be changed to provide a minimum of 120 days for adoption. Adequate time for public consideration of County Council amendments needs to be built into the process. Information should clearly identify a proposed zoning regulation or map change. Proposed zoning regulation changes should clearly identify the reason for the change and the impact of the change. Map changes should be shown on the web site and clearly identify the parcel location in relation to surrounding parcels and area identification. This information should be available to the public at least 30 days prior to any consideration by a public body. The Task Force Subcommittee 3 made similar recommendations. Public's right to be heard should be protected and encouraged. Rules of Procedure for public entities that give advice or rule on land use issues should be clear and consistent. Opportunities for public comment should be recognized and extended. The public should be afforded the opportunity to be part of the land use case up to the close of the initial presentation by the petitioner and the petitioner's witnesses. Public 's right to know. Zoning hearings, Master Plan adoptions and Comprehensive zoning including work sessions should be televised on the Howard County Government channels. The Department of Planning and Zoning, the Department's Ombudsman and the Zoning Counsel should be pro actively involved with the community starting with community pre-submission meetings. Zoning Regulation Amendments. Individual zoning regulation amendments should not be considered 3 months prior to a comprehensive zoning petition and should be prohibited for one year after the adoption of a comprehensive zoning petition except to correct a technical error. The League is supporting Council Bill 26-2008 that would restrict the time frames for individual petitions for zoning regulation amendments. Thank you for the opportunity to present our comments.
Grace Kubofcik |
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