ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today announced the launch of the Route 1 and Route 40 Design Manual updates. This transformational initiative will reexamine and refine the design goals for both corridors and incorporate recommendations from recently adopted and updated County plans and policies. Managed by the Howard County Department of Planning & Zoning (DPZ), this major project will update the manuals to align with the design recommendations and long-term vision set forth in the County’s general plan, HoCo By Design, and the Route 1 Corridor Plan, both adopted in 2023, and the County’s Complete Streets policy enacted in 2019.
Route 1 and Route 40 are essential corridors for economic activity that create vital connections, celebrate our culture and contribute to Howard County’s unique sense of ‘place.’ After more than 15 years, I am excited to embark on updates to the Routes 1 and 40 manuals, which help implement the County’s vision for land development as adopted in HoCo By Design. When complete, these two important guiding documents will shape future development toward an ever more beautiful, functional, and thriving Howard County.
A National Association of Counties (NACO) award winning plan, HoCo By Design establishes a clear, long-term vision for development of the County over the next 20 years. The approach to the manual updates will include extensive review of local and national best practices for architectural, landscaping, streetscape, signage, and guidance in transportation corridors, along with stakeholder engagement. The goal of these updates is to create a cohesive, aesthetically appealing, and sustainable corridor for residents and businesses.
The Route 1 Manual, originally adopted in 2009, provides design guidance for the Corridor’s zoning districts. Since 2009, the County has adopted new land use, design, and transportation policies, including the Howard County Complete Streets Policy (2019), Complete Streets Design Manual (2022), Route 1 Corridor Plan (2023), the General Plan (2023), and the Landscape Manual (2010). Many of these plans outline new visions for streetscapes, land use, transportation, and design within the Corridor. These documents emphasize the need for placemaking, sustainable practices, and a unified architectural identity that reflects the Corridor’s unique history and industrial legacy. As the Corridor has evolved, new opportunities for adaptive reuse, pedestrian-friendly streetscapes, and vibrant mixed-use redevelopments have emerged.
The Route 1 Corridor Plan features a future civic district for South Elkridge. This Corridor Plan envisions supporting and retaining the Corridor's industrial and manufacturing base while targeting strategic activity center locations for new commercial, light industrial, and residential development. The Corridor Plan also advocates for unique architecture, recognizable gateways, and uniform branding to elevate the Route 1 Corridor’s character and create a place that is distinguishable, inviting, and memorable. It supports preserving historic Elkridge and Savage—the northern and southern gateways of the Corridor—and emphasizes the need for a safe transportation system that expands walking, cycling and transit options while enhancing local streets.
Originally constructed in the 1930s as an east-west highway, Route 40 has multiple shopping centers, gas stations, automobile dealerships, service businesses, and restaurants that were built in different eras. Today, Route 40’s role has shifted to a predominantly commercial corridor that serves the local community. The Route 40 Design Manual was adopted in 2010 to encourage unified development compatible with County goals, reflect how the Corridor has evolved, create opportunities to enhance connectivity within, between and along public rights of way, and to guide consistent recognizable development patterns in the seven mile stretch of Route 40. Especially unique to Route 40 corridor, a variety of business offerings have emerged with a cluster of 170 Korean-owned establishments. In 2016, a five-mile stretch of the Corridor was named “Korean Way”. Manual updates will look to incorporate design elements representative of this community and the County’s growing diversity.
The updated Manuals will evaluate the existing zoning, land use patterns and General Plan guidance in the corridor and present requirements and recommendations to establish the desired design character along the corridor.
“We’re developing new strategies and design recommendations for key areas, like transit and industrial mixed-used centers, to create a safer, more connected, and welcoming environment,” shared Lynda Eisenberg, Director of Planning and Zoning. “By improving pedestrian safety, expanding transportation options, and making it easier to access shops, services, housing, and jobs, we’re working to make each corridor a better place for everyone.”
Stakeholder engagement will be integral to the process, fostering an inclusive and well-rounded approach. Through focus groups, stakeholder interviews, public workshops, and collaboration with county representatives, this initiative will ensure the vision reflects both current community needs and future priorities. Building on this foundation, the design process will culminate in comprehensive manuals that integrate stakeholder input, technical diagrams, and actionable implementation strategies, providing a clear roadmap for future development in the corridors.
“The landscape of our roadways is changing, meaning we must adjust our thinking and practices for a more pedestrian friendly environment. Having our Complete Streets policies reflected in these updates is an extraordinary effort to incorporate streets for all users.” shared Administrator Clarence Dickerson, III, of the Office of Transportation.
The experienced and multi-faceted consulting firm Whitman, Requardt & Associates, LLP (WRA) will provide design expertise and guidance related to new public and private development and redevelopment in these transportation corridors. The project is expected to begin in June 2025 and will take approximately 18 months to complete before being presented to the County Executive and County Council for adoption.
The updates to the Routes 1 and 40 Manuals are the latest in a series of implementation projects stemming from HoCo By Design.
Since January of 2024, DPZ has advanced a comprehensive master planning effort for the future of the 1,100 acre Columbia Gateway office park, with work expected to be complete and delivered to the County Council for adoption in September of 2025.
Beginning in July of 2024, DPZ convened a 13-member Affordable Housing Working Group to develop recommendations for zoning and Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO)-related incentives to increase the supply of affordable housing. The Department has managed a 15-member Adequate Public Facilities Act Review Committee to develop recommendations for revisions to APFO since August of 2024. The Committee’s final report is expected in the next few months.
On May 14, 2025, DPZ announced the establishment of a New Town Task Force, a 20-member working group to inform future zoning and development in Columbia.
The Department is also actively progressing updates to the Howard County Landscape Manual to be completed in Fall of 2025.
The County’s existing design manuals can be reviewed on the DPZ website here.