At the annual HCCA board retreat, the board identified 4 areas of focus for 2010-2011. They were:
- Review Public Engagement and Land Use (PELU) Task Force Report and continue work to enact its recommendations.
- Work to expand the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) to ensure that adequate infrastructure keeps pace with growth.
- Participate in and help educate citizens in the upcoming Howard County General Plan as to its purpose, importance and enforceability.
- Continue working on the issue of ensuring timely emergency care for citizens in Howard County
Public Engagement and Land Use (PELU) Task Force Report Implementation
The report of this task force can be seen at http://www.co.ho.md.us/CountyCouncil/CCdocs/FINAL%20ReportPDFonline.pdf.
The board has requested an update of what has been enacted and has met with DPZ to work on implementing further items. This project has seemingly stalled and the board will need to determine what further actions to take to restart this initiative.
Expansion of the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO)
HCCA continues to be concerned that local infrastructure needs keep pace with our growth and that the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) is strong enough to insure that. At this time, HCCA will put its efforts into ways that this concern can be addressed by the general plan.
Anticipate the Upcoming General Plan
The General Plan will lay the framework for development in Howard County for the next decade. HCCA held a forum to educate citizens about the upcoming General Plan. A representative from Maryland Department of Planning, the County Department of Planning and Zoning, the county’s Zoning Council and a citizen presented at this informative forum. The plan has begun, and HCCA urges citizens to participate in whatever way they are able.
Timely Emergency Care for Citizens in Howard County
HCCA continues some excellent work in raising issues about emergency care and educating citizens about what emergency care is available in Howard County and when to utilize them. We will be holding a joint forum in two weeks with the Howard County Health Department about this. Representatives from Howard County General Hospital Emergency Department, as well as from local medical care facilities, will be on hand to talk about their services.
Additionally, HCCA testifies on various county legislation and has listserve discussions about timely issues. This year we had the privilege of supporting a bill initiated by a citizen, Dick Tufts that helps to improve presubmission meetings. We also were able to support a ZRA that was initiated by another citizen, Ralph Ballman that clarifies zoning enforcement regulations. We salute these citizens who saw something that needed to be made better and who helped to make Howard County a better place to live.
And finally, I would like to announce that HCCA is formally launching a facebook page tonight, thanks to help from Ros Williams from Asage Marketing. Look for information about the page on our website and listserve. This will provide another way that HCCA can communicate with our members and citizens of Howard County. I invite you to join in.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Hudson, President
HCCA