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Coming Events

Next HCCA Board Meeting
Monday, March 8 at 7:00 PM at 11915 Gold Needle Way, Columbia MD 21044,. Members who wish to attend please call 410 740 0655 to advise of your concern and to ensure seating.

Click here for Google Map.
 HCCA Mission

The Howard County Citizens Association (HCCA) is a non-partisan organization of County residents. Our purpose is to bring residents together to provide them a means of expressing their views on the affairs of Howard County and advancing interests for:

  • exemplary government and delivery of services
  • sound fiscal policies and responsible
  • administration of public funds
  • orderly growth and development in the best interests of its residents and the environment
  • educational system excellence
  • preservation of agricultural, historical, and open space
HCCA Recent Activities
March 2010
This is to update you concerning HCCA's recent activities.
 
CBs 58, 59 Downtown Columbia master plan - enacted February 3rd
 
    Based on an earlier survey of HCCA members, we testified and lobbied in opposition to the bills because the plan is not feasible at that increased level of density (5,500 new residences and large increases in commercial development).  It was our position that the infrastructure, even if improved, cannot accommodate the plan and it will impose a heavy burden on taxpayers to pay for it.  Our listserve moderators have asked that we desist from adding to the voluminous dialogue on these bills; please do not construe this report as inviting further dialogue.
 
APFO  (Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance)
 
    HCCA has requested a meeting with DPZ  to ensure that the APFO for Downtown be adequate.  The county Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ) is currently drafting this. The intent of APFO is to ensure that schools and infrastructure be adequate before approval of any development proposal.  However, the current APFO does not require developers to improve roads that will be impacted, except those near the site; no consideration is given to downstream impact, including that on highways and ramps.  Currently, if schools are overcapacity, the development may proceed after a three-year waiting period.  We are unaware of any instance in which a development application has been denied based on APFO.  The developers have no responsibility to contribute land or share constructions costs for expansion/construction of schools.  The county Planning Board recommended that the current and future APFOs be greatly strenghened, as does HCCA.
 
ZB 1080M  Construction of a Gas Station/Highs at Route 32 North.
 
    HCCA will testify against this proposal because it would create a major traffic hazard, obliging motorists to dart across Route 32 at Livestock Road in the rural west.  This is similar to the Route 29 North crossing to the Route 70 on ramp at which a motorcyclist was killed.
 
SB 240 Signature Requirements for Referenda Petitions
 
    We will testify in support of SB 240, a bill before the state legislature concerning the criteria for signatures on referenda petitions.  Currently, the requirements for signatures are so stringent that many or most signatures are declared invalid, causing the failure of referendum efforts.  This bill would allow certification of signatures where the identity of the individual can be "reasonably ascertained."
 
HCCA Elections
 
    Under its Bylaws HCCA's board is preparing to appoint a Nominating Committee for Board officers and at-large members; these two categories comprise up to 9 individuals.  The election will be held at our annual meeting in May.  Terms are for one-year.  The Nominating Committee will communicate with the membership as it carries out its mission.
 
Bridget Mugane, President
HCCA

 

Recent HCCA News



Attachments (19)

  • HC_delegations_09.pdf - on Aug 13, 2009 1:25 PM by Ray Cole (version 1)
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  • bill_8_10.pdf - on Dec 9, 2009 5:02 PM by Ray Cole (version 1)
    42k View Download
  • cb8-2009.pdf - on Aug 13, 2009 12:56 PM by Ray Cole (version 1)
    53k View Download
  • cb_19-2009.pdf - on Aug 13, 2009 12:55 PM by Ray Cole (version 1)
    50k View Download
  • cb_29.pdf - on Oct 4, 2009 7:58 PM by Ray Cole (version 1)
    21k View Download
  • cb_36.pdf - on Aug 22, 2009 10:32 AM by Ray Cole (version 2 / earlier versions)
    43k Download
  • cb_58.59.pdf - on Nov 17, 2009 11:59 AM by Ray Cole (version 1)
    59k View Download
  • cb_58.pdf - on Aug 13, 2009 12:57 PM by Ray Cole (version 1)
    63k View Download
  • cb_58_amend.pdf - on Jan 22, 2010 8:04 AM by Ray Cole (version 3 / earlier versions)
    46k View Download
  • cb_59_amend.pdf - on Jan 22, 2010 8:04 AM by Ray Cole (version 3 / earlier versions)
    11k View Download
  • cr_64_09.pdf - on Aug 13, 2009 12:55 PM by Ray Cole (version 1)
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  • cr_65_09.pdf - on Aug 13, 2009 12:55 PM by Ray Cole (version 1)
    21k View Download
  • hr_05.pdf - on Aug 13, 2009 12:57 PM by Ray Cole (version 1)
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  • rt_40_budget.pdf - on Aug 13, 2009 12:56 PM by Ray Cole (version 1)
    65k View Download
  • sb_240_2009.pdf - on Feb 25, 2010 12:10 PM by Ray Cole (version 1)
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  • zb_1080M.pdf - on Mar 11, 2010 1:56 PM by Ray Cole (version 1)
    48k View Download
  • zra_102.pdf - on Aug 13, 2009 12:57 PM by Ray Cole (version 1)
    82k View Download
  • zra_113.pdf - on Aug 13, 2009 12:57 PM by Ray Cole (version 1)
    100k View Download
  • zra_113_a.pdf - on Aug 13, 2009 12:56 PM by Ray Cole (version 1)
    69k View Download