Chairperson CitaraManis and Members of the Planning Board:

The League of Women Voters of Howard County support ZRA-93 to revise the Violations, Enforcement and Penalties section of the Howard County Zoning Regulations (Section 102.B). The basis of the League's testimony is our Land Use, Planning and Zoning position that calls for support for zoning controls to utilize land effectively for the benefit of all. Residents and businesses in the County need to have fair, efficient and timely zoning enforcement actions taken on complaints about zoning violations.

The current system allows a person in violation as determined by the Hearing Examiner and the Board of Appeals to continue the violation activity until the Circuit Court renders a decision. ZRA-93 simply proposes a notice of violation of the Zoning Regulations could not be appealed using the provisions of Section 130.A.3 of the Howard County Zoning Regulations but would be subject to the provisions and procedures of a proposed Enforcement Bill which would amend the Howard County Code.

ZRA-93 also proposes adding language to Section 102.B stating "the Department of Planning and Zoning may enforce the Zoning Regulations by issuing citations to alleged violators to be heard in Court or in administrative proceedings as provided by law."

Section 102.B already provides an opportunity for the complaining party to appeal if the Department of Planning and Zoning does not issue a notice within 60 days of receiving a written request.

Our communities are better served by strong pro- active zoning enforcement. Section 102B Enforcement starts with the words "Upon becoming aware of any violation of these regulations, the Department of Planning and Zoning may institute..." which means to the League that the Department of Planning and Zoning should be pro-active in zoning inspections and not reactive waiting for written complaints.

The League has reviewed the draft zoning enforcement legislation. This legislation is not the focus of the planning Board's hearing on ZRA-93. However, we hope the Planning Board reviews the legislation and provides positive comments to the County Executive

Carol Filipczak, Secretary League of Women Voters of Howard County