New Town Task Force

The New Town (NT) Zoning District is the zoning classification for Columbia, an unincorporated, planned community.  It was created in 1965 with an initial area of 13,690 acres. Over time, more land was added, and by 2001, the NT District, had grown to 14,272 acres.  By then, approximately 94 percent of the NT District had been developed.

• The NT District includes:
  • About 31,600 homes,
  • Around 5,200 acres of parks and open space,
  • 21.8 million square feet of office, light industrial, and commercial space.

The District also includes shopping centers, schools, libraries, and recreational facilities. The requirements for the NT District are found in Section 125 of the Howard County Zoning Regulations.

• 1965; New Town Columbia founded
• 1966 (June): Construction began on Lake Kittamaqundi, Wilde Lake, first commercial buildings in Town Center, development of Bryant Woods neighborhood
• 1967: Downtown Columbia officially opened

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• One of the most groundbreaking things about Columbia was how it was planned — it wasn’t just architects and developers at the table. The vision was shaped by a wide range of voices: sociologists, educators, engineers, even religious leaders. It was a truly interdisciplinary effort to design a community that put people first.

• Columbia was intentionally designed to be racially and religiously integrated — well before the Fair Housing Act of 1968 made that a legal requirement. That commitment to inclusion was a forward-thinking approach at the time and a core part of Columbia’s identity from the very beginning.

Howard County’s general plan, HoCo By Design, recommends a review of the New Town Zoning District and its character defining features. This is a chance to make sure the zoning rules still support the vision for Columbia and can guide future growth in the right way. The Plan, adopted in 2023, describes the New Town (NT) Zoning District, the dominant zoning classification for Columbia, as having a unique sense of place that its residents want to preserve, enhance, and strengthen.

The Task Force will work with the project consultant, JMT, to:

1. Review current Zoning Regulations
2. Suggest updates to improve the processes for Zoning approvals in the New Town District
3. Ensure suggestions match the goals in the County’s General Plan, HoCo By Design.
4. Provide feedback on key elements that will help shape future updates to the zoning regulations.  
5. Prepare a report on their recommendations, which will be shared with the County Executive and County Council.

This effort builds on the original spirit of collaboration that shaped Columbia into a people-centered community. Today's team brings together Columbia residents, local business owners, village board representatives, Columbia Association staff, developers, and community leaders—all working together to help guide the future of New Town.  

Review the task force member list on the website and view the amendment for a member addition. 

The process is led by DPZ and facilitated by a planning consultant team made up of certified planners with extensive experience in group facilitation and public engagement.

• The New Town Task Force will meet for the next 12 to 18 months, with 10 meetings planned. More meetings could be added if needed. During this time, the public will have several chances to share their thoughts, including a public survey and public meetings.

• By Spring 2026, the Task Force will produce the report which will be shared with the County Executive and County Council to help guide how New Town, as a planned community, continues to grow and develop.

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• The New Town Task Force is made up of members appointed by the County Executive and County Council. All task force meetings are open to the public to attend. Task Force meeting dates, times, and locations will be posted in advance on the New Town Task Force Website. Task Force meeting materials can also be found on the website.

• The Task Force process will include public meetings and surveys at multiple points in the process to gather information and feedback from the community on New Town Zoning. Public meeting information and surveys will be posted in advance on the New Town Task Force website.

• For more information or to reach out to the project team with any questions, please click the ‘Contact Us’ button above on this page, or email planning@howardcountymd.gov, and include “New Town Task Force” in the subject line of your email.