Rapid change is coming to Harford County: the Zoning Code has been revised; a Comprehensive Zoning Review is underway; BRAC will add to the pressure, bringing many new families to our community. We will need better planning for housing, water, waste handling, transportation, educational and recreational availability. We must do this in a way that preserves the environment, our quality of life, and in accordance with the Harford County Master Plan.
Friends of Harford provides information to help you influence land use decisions being made about your community and the rest of the County. It is your decision whether and how to use this information to guide your county officials in making good choices.
Areas of Interest
- Comprehensive Zoning Review HOT!!
Harford County has begun the 2008/2009 Comprehensive Zoning Review cycle. Over 300 requests for rezoning were received by the December deadline. The Bill is planned to be introduced in the Council on Jun 16, 2009, followed by public comment sessions over 10 days in July. Comprehensive Rezoning can change your neighborhood, adding a grocery store, a mall or a new housing development. All that is needed is an $800 rezoning fee and approval by your County Council. It's happening right now. Make your voice heard! Read more . . . . NEW! See our new Spring 2009 Newsletter devoted to CZR . . . . . NEWEST! Planning and Zoning Official Positions on Rezoning Requests
- Transportation Planning Transportation planning goes on for our region at federal, state and local levels. It includes highways and, to a more limited degree, mass transit. The Baltimore Metro area collectively produce regional long and short range plans. An independent state agency that manages toll highways is responsible for our section of the Interstate 95. Improving the highway structure in the Route 40 / I-95 corridor and creating viable mass transit options are stated as major objectives of BRAC planning. Read what is actually in transportation plans for our area and see how to make your voice heard.
- Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Growth in mission of Aberdeen Proving Ground will accelerate change to the map of Harford County. The Army is relocating several research, development and support organizations to APG. Contractors supporting these organizations will also relocate to that vicinity. The majority will be here by 2010-2012. Planning for housing, schools, mass transportation and highways, water and sewer systems and recreational facilities must consider this growth. Federal, state, county and citizen organizations are involved in BRAC planning. You need to keep abreast and get involved if you wish to maintain our quality of life and rural character. Let's keep this a win-win situation.
- Zoning Code Update On October 22, 2008 the County Council's approved a revised Zoning Code and Subdivision Regulations, culminating over two years of effort. The new Zoning Code is a restructuring of the old code with some improvements and some negative changes. It is not a positive model for 21 st Century land use planning. This update could greatly affect our quality of life and environment. Read about it.
- Legislative Bills Friends of Harford follows and attempts to influence the fate of legislation concerned with elements of land use planning, mostly at the county level. Track their status; contact legislators; attend hearings. See how your legislators voted!
What You Can Do
You can influence these decisions, but only if you choose to get involved. Once you decide that you want to actively work to improve our quality of life, we urge you to study the issues, then contact county decision makers, write your local newspaper and attend and participate in:
- Community Council meetings scheduled monthly for your area
- County Council meetings held most Tuesday evenings in Bel Air
- Zoning hearings or
- Community Input Meetings scheduled for your area.
JOIN US or DONATE
Help preserve our quality of life.
Friends of Harford
P.O. Box 1005
Abingdon, Maryland 21009
Email: Comments@friendsofharford.com