From Friends of Harford:
Friends of Harford thought you should know……In addition to Bill 16-016
– Letters from State agencies and entities commenting on the plan can be found at http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/6374. These include comments quoted earlier from the MD Department of Planning as well as critiques from various state agencies.
– Letters received from organizations may be found at http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/6373
– A log of emails received can be found at http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/6368
– And comments noted by P&Z can be read at http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/6366
Planning & Zoning’s changes to the draft plan are found at http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/6369
We find that very little attention was paid to the majority of these written and verbal suggestions made by the public. We urge County Council members as well as the public read these to be fully informed.
Below find the Harford County Auditor’s Report on HarfordNEXT which is available http://md-harfordcounty.civicplus.com/1549/Current-Bills-and-Resolutions. bottom blue box.
Fiscal Analysis
Harford County’ Master Plan addresses various aspects of development and preservation within the County; it was written in 2012. This bill updates the County Code to reflect the proposed new version of the Master Plan, titled HarfordNEXT.
In accordance with §1 6 of the County Code, the County Council has requested a fiscal impact note for zoning matters from the Director of Planning and Zoning. Accordingly, we have not determined the fiscal impact to this legislation.
Planning and Zoning should be able to provide more details regarding:
– Anticipated zoning code changes to effect growth with purpose (Goals GWP 1.1 and GWP 1.2
– Infrastructure expansion such as emergency services, road and parks (Goal GWP 2.2)
– Cost of priority projects and programs future budgets (Goals GWP 5.2 and MC 1.4)
– Changes to the Development Envelope
– Maintaining properties for future development (Goal EV 1.4)
– Promoting a skilled workforce (Goal EV 3.1)
– Expanding government and private land trusts (Goal POH 2.1, CPA 5.5, PPA 1.1)
– Expansion of water and sewer service areas (Goals CPA 3.5 CPA 5.9, CPA 6.9)
– Additional properties eligible for tax credits and easement purchases when expanding the Priority Preservation Area (Goal CPA 7.13)
Additional Information
Fiscal Note History: Version 01 based on bill as of 05/03/2016.
Fiscal Analysis was prepared by Chrystal Brooks, County Auditor.
Inquiries may be directed to (410)638 3161.
Speak and Give Your Comments on Bill 16-016
Friends of Harford wants you to know that to be able to speak and give your comments on Bill 16-016 at the public hearing on June 7th at 6:00 pm, at 212 S. Bond Street in Bel Air, you must first sign up in the following manner.
You may may sign up in advance until 5 p.m. on the day of the scheduled public hearing by completing the
– Public-Hearing-Registration, OR
– by emailing the Council Office council@harfordcountycouncil.com, or
– by calling (410) 638-3343, or
– There will also be a sign up sheet available starting at 5:30 in the Council Chamber foyer. The signup sheet will be pulled at 6:00 PM at the start of the Public Hearing.
You may also email, mail or call with your comments. We urge you to join the discussion.
Did you say something?
Check yourself.
http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/DocumentCentral/Home/View/6373
My biggest concern overall has to do with the deliberately general phrasing that characterizes HarfordNext. The administration lauds itself on how brief and easily read the Master Plan is.True–but to the point that the document lacks true direction and will constantly be subjected to interpretation by the “powers that be” at almost any given point.
The section with which I am most concerned (Preserving Our Heritage) is replete with words such as “consider”, “examine” “explore” Why not “adopt,” “establish,” and “incorporate” ?
To provide greater specificity and emphasis, I forwarded 25 suggested revisions, including two corrected spellings and one corrected official title. All were rejected.In addition, ten complete sections were “Removed from Document.” So much for true direction.
Public input has been used by Harford County Government for years as kabuki theatre…something to point at as “proof” of how important citizens concerns are. Meanwhile Snee’s phone number is on quick dial to most of our county leaders. If you wanted proof of that just remember Eva Mar and the location of the Red Pumpkin School.
Pump..spell check auto correct.
Developers: We want to build commercial properties and rental units on property zoned for agriculture in Harford County.
Politicians: Donate to our political campaigns and we will change the zoning to whatever you want.
Developers: We want more rental properties and could care less about overcrowding.
Politicians: We want more money and could care less about citizen taxpayers, overcrowding, preserving land or our integrity.
Fallston residents: We have ours, close the door and keep everyone else out, and put all commercial activity anywhere else.
‘Friends’ of Harford: Stop everything everywhere all the time.
You clearly know nothing about Friends of Harford and have never attended a meeting. The message has never been no growth, it’s been about smart growth that includes at least consideration for open space, historic preservation and most importantly the quality of life we enjoy in Harford which is at great risk.
Right, and smart growth = growth anywhere but where I live.
Development is coming. Expansion is coming.
People want to live in “the country” and they want a cookie cutter built house in a neighborhood that all the houses look identical, and they also want public water and sewer.
Mr. Reason
And what’s wrong with that?
In all this I haven’t seen any mention as to how handicapped citizens can protest this travesty.
Since letters and written materials are being ignored, maybe it’s time for peasants (read property tax payers) with torches to make an appearance at one of these meetings.
Sure, we’ll be arrested, but maybe it will make CNN News and some real attention will be paid to our crisis.
Wouldn’t it be something to see an elderly lady with her walker in one hand and a torch in the other shooting, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore!”
When it comes to “Smart Growth”, it has been lobotomized once you hit Harford County. The idiots in power think nothing of bulldozing farms and forests alike while letting the Rt. 40 corridor slide into decay. Why not make developers pay up front for all the costs of water, sewer, public services, etc. instead of sticking it to the residents already here. The water bill increase of 300%, phased in over several years is only the tip of the iceberg. Giving developers credit for recycling properties along Rt. 40 would go further towards revitalizing the county than building useless traffic circles on overused roads so some crud that doesn’t even live here can build more roach motels on our rapidly vanishing farmland.
Banks, Pharmacies and chain convenience stores is what Middle/North Harford is about.
Just ask the dude wearing ropers, big belt buckle and eating a chicken sammich’ overtop the trash can.
Yet a proposed increase in intensity in the Joppa/Magnolia area is decried. Can’t have it both ways…
What a real shocker developers and politicians deciding the future developments of this county my that never happens…. Yeah!!
Money and Power the true roots of all evil while us citizens and our voices go unheard or ignored
Developers: — sure campaign funds no problem just give me land and re-write laws so I can fill up every spot of unfilled land with just what you need more of: banks, apartments and Wawa’s and Royal Farms and coming soon more and more Dunkin Donuts like Boston one on every corner.
Politicians: — Thanks, soon as the check clears or deposited I or we will begin to construct ways to give you what you want
The good ole boy network hardly at work more like corruption – hmmm
I have to say, the performance by Mallamo was epic tonight
I can’t wait for Mallamo to pick up a law suit where he won’t have paid counsel.