 HCCA makes very significant, ongoing contributions to positive change for our county residents. The following exemplify actions and accomplishments in our four focus areas: land use, environment, affordable housing and transportation. Improvement to public process is always one of our action areas, also, and we have had recent successes in some key respects described below. LAND USE
Master plans, subdivisions, rezoning
HCCA represented the public in the quasi-judicial hearing opposing a GGP proposal to put big box stores next to Symphony Woods/Merriweather Pavilion in Columbia; the developer then suspended the proposal, possibly as a result of our mustering all 10 Columbia village boards to unify on this. One outcome was the master plan process initiated by Jud Malone, then HCCA's vice-president, and promoted by Ken Ulman.
We have urged better coordinated planning by pressing for implementation of the plans for Route 40 enhancement, both by meeting with DPZ officials and presenting a program on this subject at which the key DPZ planners spoke. Six of our members in the Focus Group have worked on the master plan for Columbia Downtown. Ken Ulman spoke on this subject two years ago in an HCCA public program and may do so again this fall. We have also participated in meetings on the Route 1 master plan.
HCCA met with the developer/owner of Turf Valley to persuade him to do adequate testing for contamination before developing the old golf course land; we also testified in support of a state bill on this. The County Exec and new Health Officer, Dr. Beilenson, worked hard to get the developer to do this. Although the state bill and the mediation efforts failed, a county bill was introduced as a result for this month and is likely to pass.
HCCA has advocated extending APFO to include more than the nearest two significant intersections when approving land development applications. In testimony at the recent County Exec's public forum, I advocated examining the downstream traffic impact of development and it was clear the Exec took this idea seriously.
Infill
Four of our members are on the county Infill Task Force which is discussing problems with infill and reviewing possible subjects for regulations. We recently met with DPZ officials concerning the need for particular regulations, including those for environmentally sensitive land.
The Rural West
We have advocated preservation of the rural west, and put on a program presented by the DPZ staff in charge of this. We have criticized the composition of the task force which was almost all owners and developers; we believe such criticism encourages agencies to ensure such groups are well balanced in future. Indeed, most task forces on other issues have been balanced, in my view, and have allowed public dialogue which is a very positive contribution to the final result.
ENVIRONMENT
In testimony and meetings with officials HCCA has initially urged and then strongly supported the new county green policies and technology. The listserve has consistently reflected this in positive messages. We have put on two public educational programs on this subject in the last year and our veep is the co-chair of the Commission on Environment and Sustainability. She reports on its innumerable positive contributions, in listserve messages.
Our Environmental Committee, headed by Cathy Hudson, has pulled together most of the county's environmental groups for monthly discussion meetings. HCCA veep Betsy Singer established an environmental study group and our board member Wolfger Schneider is a participant.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
HCCA has consistently testified in strong support of affordable housing and our members have urged it in the Focus Group. We have worked with DPZ on this subject and presented at least two public educational programs with experts from DPZ and the Dept. of Housing. Board member Joel Yesley, a planner, holds our affordable housing portfolio and has formed an HCCA committee on this subject. He represented us as liaison to the county Task Force on Affordable Housing, and on the Senior Housing Tax Credit Task Force.
TRANSPORTATION
Last fall, together with Jen Terrasa of the County Council, I did an expose of our deteriorating county buses -- a criticism -- which resulted in the County Exec listing it as one of this three priorities when he met with the Governor for the first time. The Exec also brought about county funding for some new hybrid buses. We met with DPZ's Director of Transportation and the contractor, who agreed to make specific improvements immediately, including painting over graffiti, as well as repairs.
We have worked on getting better connections to public transit, particularly the MARC Camden line. I testified twice before the Md. Dept. of Transportation on this. We have a transportation committee; please join and be part of the solution. Contact Jamie Howard, howardjp@gmail.com. Jamie also wants to look at commuter bus service. Two years ago we presented a public program, with a state expert on transportation.
IMPROVED PUBLIC PROCESS
While we criticize public process, it is for the purpose of positive change and it has had concrete results. For example, we recently criticized ZRA 90 as being difficult to comprehend. The Directors of DPZ and the Dept. of Housing agreed publicly to provide plain English summaries of the legislation they initiate, in future. A Flier editorial strongly endorsed this HCCA initiative.
We have asked for improvements to Planning Board process, including a short course in urban planning for its members, a manual for their use, better information for the public at hearings, etc. etc. The Director of DPZ has been receptive and I believe we will see positive change.
This year Cathy Hudson and I initiated a meeting with Council member Courtney Watson which resulted in a new category on the Council hearing agenda titled "Testimony" which contains DPZ Technical Staff reports and other background information on bills, for members of the public who wish to testify.
These are just some examples of HCCA's contributions; I think we can be proud of them. Our members, board of directors and listserve participants all make this possible.
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