HCCA’s president, Cathy Hudson, testified June 18 on County Council Bill 26-2012, PlanHoward 2035 (the new General Plan). She strongly recommended that the fiscal study’s lowest development scenario be adopted. The Columbia Flier quoted her suggestion that APFO be expanded to include adequate policy, fire and hospital services.Board member J.D. Smith testified for us, urging that affordable housing include all income levels below the median, and that Columbia Downtown developers be required to situate all such housing within Downtown, and not be allowed to pay a fee in lieu or place such housing outside Columbia. The intent is to fulfill the original Columbia vision of diversity.
Also testifying was HCCA’s secretary Bridget Mugane, to point out that traffic density has already reached an unacceptable level on state roads; Route 29 has a congestion alert sign as do Route 70 at 29 and Route 175. The state has no money to enlarge the roads; development should be permitted only if it would not impact these roads. She applauded the central role given to the county bus system and asked that seats be provided at all stops, and that bus rapid transit be considered.
Stu Kohn, HCCA’s vice-president, emphasized the unacceptable level of congestion on state roads in Howard County and to make it a requirement that adequate medical care facilities be required prior to authorizing development and that measurable standards as well as suggesting that a task force be established to examine the feasibility of expanding APFO to examine the feasibility of expanding APFO to include health, police, fire, water, sewage, etc. for the purpose of enforceability.
New HCCA board member Ros Williams testified on CR 99-2012 concerning extending term limits for Council members from three, to four 4-year terms. She pointed out that longer term limits raises the barrier to entry for new candidates as incumbents have the advantage of name recognition and campaign funding.
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HCCA strives to articulate the concerns of county residents and HCCA members, in order to serve the community by promoting beneficial changes.
Submitted by Bridget Mugane, HCCA secretary
on behalf of Cathy Hudson, HCCA president