COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE: NEWS AND INFORMATION FROM THE DESK OF: COUNCILMAN GREG FOX gfox@howardcountymd.gov PHONE: 410-313-2001 FAX:410-313-3297 INTERNET NEWSLETTER

Thank you for taking the time to visit the District 5 web site. I would like to use my web page to bring you information concerning events of major importance in District 5. I also want to give you the opportunity to share your concerns and suggestions. I am in the process of building a database so I can get information out as quickly as possible. If you would like to be included, please e-mail me at gfox@howardcountymd.gov with your name, address, telephone number (daytime), e-mail address and topic of interest.

CONCERNS
HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATIONS
COMING SOON -
LEGISLATION
ELECTRONIC COUNCIL INFORMATION
ELECTRONIC SIGN-IN
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
OTHER SCHEDULED HEARINGS AND MEETINGS:
REPORT ILLEGAL SIGNS
DPW CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION
PLANNING AND ZONING INFORMATION
PRE-SUBMISSION COMMUNITY MEETINGS

CONCERNS

If you would like to share your concerns, please contact my assistant, Karen Knight or me at 410-313-2001. We can often help facilitate having your questions or concerns answered by the appropriate government officials.

HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATIONS

I want to have the most recent information on file regarding contact information for those who hold leadership positions in your HOA. Please contact me via gfox@howardcountymd.gov or phone 410-313-3116 to update our database when changes occur. Thank you.

COMING SOON -

The District 5 E-Newsletter will be introduced in 2008 to bring up to date information and news to our community on a quarterly basis. All of the e-newletters will be listed on this site and can be accessed by clicking on the link. If you would like to receive the e-newsletter, just e-mail us at gfox@howardcountymd.gov

LEGISLATION

Proposed legislation introduced can be accessed at www.howardcountymd.gov/CountyCouncil/Legislative_Pending.htm.

Council Bill 49-2008 Introduced by Chairman at the request of the County Executive and Co-sponsored by Greg Fox. AN ACT regulating certain residential multi-used sewerage systems; defining certain terms; providing that the County shall act as an approving authority; setting forth responsibilities of the Department of Public Works; setting forth certain standards for design and construction; setting forth certain responsibilities of certain parties; requiring certain covenants; providing for certain rights of entry; authorizing certain fees and methods of enforcement; requiring certain forms of financial security ; and generally relating to residential multi-used sewerage systems in Howard County.

Council Bill 51-2008 Introduced by Greg Fox. AN ACT prohibiting installation of certain multiuse sewerage systems for residential projects; providing exceptions; allowing the County Board of Health to adopt certain regulations; and generally relating to private sewer systems.

Council Bill 9-2008 Introduced by Greg Fox and Courtney Watson passed with unanimous support on March 3 at the Council Legislative Session. AN ACT requiring the Purchasing Agent to develop and operate a specified website that includes specified information for certain County expenditures; specifying certain parameters of the website; providing that certain provisions of law may not be construed to require the disclosure of certain information exempt from disclosure under federal, State, or County law; and generally relating to providing searchable purchasing information to the public.

Council Bill 16-2007 Introduced by Greg Fox and Co-sponsored by Jennifer Terrasa passed with unanimous support on May 5 at the Council Legislative Session. This legislation amended the Howard County Code to change the dimensions of signs required to be posted for land use cases and require that the signs have an alphanumeric code which would identify the case; and generally relating to sign postings.

(For Planning & Zoning Information on the 3-digit sign codes,click here.)

Council Resolution 114-2007 Introduced by Greg Fox and Courtney Watson passed with unanimous support on October 1 at the Council Legislative Session. A RESOLUTION, creating a task force to study the issues associated with establishing a horse park in Howard County.

ELECTRONIC COUNCIL INFORMATION

Electronic services include automatic e-mail delivery of Council agendas and meeting information. Howard County residents who wish to be placed on an e-mail list for such mailings may send their requests to the Council Administrator at stolliver@howardcountymd.gov. To contact all Council Members on an issue send an e-mail to councilmail@howardcountymd.gov.

There is no charge for these electronic services, which have been made available as part of the Council's ongoing effort to improve citizen participation in the legislative process by making information widely available.

To contact us - click here.

ELECTRONIC SIGN-IN

The form includes space to insert the text of written testimony. Those registering will receive an e-mail confirming that the Council has received their message with a convenient link to expedite future registrations.

The system will generate for the Council members a list of bills and resolutions with the names of people registered to testify in the order in which they signed up. People will be called to testify on each bill or resolution in the order in which their names appear on this list.

Those who do not have access to a computer may continue to register at the Council’s hearings, where staff will be available to assist with electronic sign-up, or they may call the Council’s office during regular business hours for assistance by telephone.

Direct Questions to: Sheila Tolliver, Administrator to the County Council, at 410 313-2001.

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

If you would like to become involved with County government, there are many boards and commissions of various interests that need members from time to time. Click here Boards and Commissions for a listing.

OTHER SCHEDULED HEARINGS AND MEETINGS:

Alcoholic Beverage Hearing Board, please click Here.

Board of Appeals, please click Here

Council Calendar of Meetings Here

County Calendar of Events Here

Hearing Examiner, please click Here

Planning Board Meeting, please click Here

Pre-submission Meetings, please click Here

Zoning Board, please click Here

REPORT ILLEGAL SIGNS

You can help us by reporting Illegal Signs with a new online form. The form is available here.

Please be sure to describe the location of the illegal sign in the free-form textual area at the bottom of the form.

For further information on the County’s sign code, the sign permit application process, sign sizes, fees and for other answers to frequently asked questions, visit the Department of Inspections, Licenses & Permits page on the County’s website Click here or call DILP at 410-313-1830.

PUBLIC WORKS

DPW CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

For questions or concerns regarding specific projects please contact Public Works Customer Service at 410-313-4400 or by e-mail to publicworks@howardcountymd.gov.

WESTERN PARK MAINTENANCE BUILDING AND EQUESTRIAN TRAILER PARKING

Start: March 2008
End: Winter 2008/2009
Project #: N-3932
Traffic: Turn lane additions at entrance. Traffic to be directed by flaggers as needed.
Additional Impact: None
Reason/Details: Construct maintenance facility for Western Park. Provide parking for horse trailers for access to trails.

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For information on Environmental Services, Engineering, Facilities, Highways, and Utilities go to Department of Public Works home page.

STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION

STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION TO RESURFACE
MD 32 IN HOWARD COUNTY

Motorists Should Expect Single Lane Closures through Early Summer

(May 13, 2008) - On Wednesday, May 14, the Maryland Department of Transportation's State Highway Administration (SHA) will begin a $1.3 million project to resurface approximately two and one-half miles along MD 32 between West Linden Church Road and MD 108 (Clarksville Pike) in Howard County. SHA will complete the project by the end of June, weather permitting.

Motorists should expect nighttime single-lane closures along MD 32 between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m., Sunday through Thursday. Variable message signs, barrels, flagpersons, and arrow boards will guide motorists through the flagging operation. Motorists are reminded that headlight use is mandatory along this section of MD 32.

SHA awarded the contract to Gray & Sons, Inc. of Timonium. Citizens who have questions about traffic operations along MD 32, or other State numbered routes in Howard County, may call SHA's District 7 Office at 301-624-8100 or toll free at 1-800-635-5119.

More than 29,000 vehicles travel along MD 32 near West Linden Church Road and MD 108 each day. During the next several months, there could be more than 350 work zones. Remember that work zones are not only large construction projects possibly taking years to complete, but smaller, mobile operations such as mowing, pothole repair and litter pick ups. Choose to make work zone safety your business at choosesafetyforlife.com.

PLANNING AND ZONING INFORMATION

Visit the Department of Planning and Zoning to find information on department brochures, zoning issues and contact information.

Planning Board Meetings begin at 9:30 a.m. They are held in the Ellicott Room on the first floor of the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City. Should you need additional information and to verify a meeting, call 410-313-2350.

Board of Appeals meetings are usually scheduled in the evenings at 7:30 p.m. They are held in the Banneker Room on the first floor of the George Howard Building, 3430 CourtHouse Drive, Ellicott City. It is important that you verify the meeting dates and times in advance. Please call 410-313-2393.

PRE-SUBMISSION COMMUNITY MEETINGS

A pre-submission community meeting is required prior to the initial submittal of plans for any new residential development (Section 16.128 of the Subdivision & Land Development Regulations), prior to the submittal of a petition for a Conditional Use (Section 131.F), or a zoning map amendment.. Meetings must be held between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on a weekday evening or between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on a Saturday. In addition, the meeting shall be held within 5 miles of the proposed development site in a public or institutional building. This link will provide pre-submission information.

You can visit the DPZ customer service counter to learn more about the project. You may review any plans that are filed. You may also schedule to meet with a planner to discuss the project in more detail. The office hours are typically Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.