Comprehensive Zoning Review To Begin At $800 Per Application
October 5, 2008
(Bel Air, MD – October 1, 2008) - - Under Harford County’s Comprehensive Zoning Review Process, property owners interested in obtaining a zoning change may pick up an information packet and application form beginning October 15, 2008 from the Harford County Department of Planning and Zoning, 2nd floor, 220 South Main Street in Bel Air. Completed applications will be accepted through December 15, 2008. Each application submitted must be accompanied by an $800.00 application fee.
Department officials will utilize the 2004 Master Plan and Land Use Element as a policy guide for reviewing each application. The Comprehensive Zoning Review will examine all zoning maps in the County to ensure consistency with land use policies.
Since the 2005/2006 Comprehensive Zoning Bill was vetoed by County Executive Craig, the County began working on a rewrite of the Zoning Code. The rewrite has been a culmination of efforts from workgroups to citizen input. It is anticipated that a new Zoning Code will be adopted by the end of October. As property owners consider rezoning applications, attention should be given to the new Zoning Code from new design standards to the permitted use charts for each zoning classification.
Once the application period ends, requests will undergo a technical review by County planners as well as the five-member Planning Advisory Board. Additionally, Department officials, along with Board members will conduct public informational meetings.
More information will be available after October 15th on the County’s website at www.harfordcountymd.gov/PlanningZoning or contact the Department at 410.638.3103
Councilman Guthrie Calls For Elimination Of Impact Fee In Light Of Mortgage Catastrophe
September 21, 2008
Harford County Councilman Dion Guthrie (District A) plans to introduce a bill to eliminate the impact fee on new home sales at the council meeting October 7, 2008. Guthrie said he has support at this time from Councilman Chad Shrodes (District D) and Councilwoman Mary Ann Lisanti (District F).
Guthrie told The Dagger he had not supported the impact fee when it was first enacted by the Council in 2005, saying it was “an unfair tax because it only taxes new homes and not used homes.” Guthrie noted that families moving into existing homes also impact schools and other infrastructure, which the impact fee was designed to offset. Continue reading Councilman Guthrie Calls For Elimination Of Impact Fee In Light Of Mortgage Catastrophe
Losing Our Rights Is Wrong: Citizens’ Right To Zoning Interpretation Set To Disappear
September 14, 2008
By Mort
We Harford Countians are about to lose a very important right – the right to know why the Zoning Administrator (ZA) made a decision that may harm our property. This right to an Interpretation is a right we have today that will be taken away if Bill 08-44 (the new zoning code) is passed as presently written. Continue reading Losing Our Rights Is Wrong: Citizens’ Right To Zoning Interpretation Set To Disappear
You Snooze, You Lose: New Harford County Zoning Code To Be Revealed Aug. 19
August 19, 2008
By Mort
You snooze – you lose, and most of us snooze through anything about Harford’s Zoning Code. The rude wake-up call occurs when you learn your home or neighborhood is about to be harmed because of what is – or equally important, what isn’t – in the zoning code. Continue reading You Snooze, You Lose: New Harford County Zoning Code To Be Revealed Aug. 19
“First, do no Harm” - Councilman Slutzky Questions the Merit of Board of Education School Reform
March 17, 2008
Read the ‘Erroneous and Malicious’ Comments that Forced the Board of Education President to Announce He’s Leaving Office
Public frustration with the Comprehensive High School Reform Plan (CSSRP) prompted the Harford County Council to make an unprecedented address to the Board of Education at its meeting tonight (Monday) in Bel Air.
The half-hour presentation delivered by county councilman Richard C. Slutzky, a veteran educator of 39 years, reflected questions raised by parents, students, teachers and administrators who had contacted the council as a result of what they believed was a lack of response from of the board since CSSRP was presented in 2005 and implemented in the fall of 2006.
Before councilman Slutzky was able to begin his presentation, board president Thomas Fidler, Jr. announced that he will not seek a second term and wanted to clear the air about “erroneous and malicious” comments made on a website regarding the scheduling of the county council’s discussion.
Slutzky began by commending the board for their efforts at reform, but noted that an evaluation was necessary to determine whether the “good intentions” of the board had actually been carried out by CSSRP. Using the board’s original rationale for reform as a framework, Slutzky posed questions which he said would assist the board in determining whether intended results were being achieved and what unintended consequences have resulted. He also suggested areas for future exploration.
Why the Board of Ed Doesn’t Want You to Know About the Harford County Council Visit Monday Night
March 16, 2008
UPDATE: At tonight’s (3/17) Board of Education meeting, board president Thomas Fidler, Jr. announced he will not seek a second term on the board. Stay tuned for details.
You might not know by looking at the agenda released by the Board of Education, but The Dagger has learned that the Harford County Council is expected to raise a series of serious questions Monday night regarding secondary school reform in the Harford County Public School system.
Prompted by public concern over the Comprehensive Secondary School Reform Plan (CSSRP), County Councilman Dick Slutzky is expected to make a presentation on behalf of the entire county council during the Board of Education meeting Monday, March 17 at 6:30 p.m. in Bel Air.
As rare an occasion as it would be to have most, if not all, of the Harford County Council in attendance for the Board of Education meeting, Slutzky’s presentation has been curiously dubbed “County Council Discussion” and buried 2/3 of the way down the agenda under General Public Comments. Continue reading Why the Board of Ed Doesn’t Want You to Know About the Harford County Council Visit Monday Night
