Downtown Columbia public hearing set for Saturday, Nov. 14, 9 a.m.


Below is information on a Saturday 14 November County Council Meeting on the Downtown Columbia redevelopment plan for. Columbia Tomorrow and the Horizon Foundation are looking for people to testify — especially in the area of bicycle/pedestrian access and multi-modal (bus/bike/walk) transportation options that are needed. Chris Tsien of the BAHC Board has agreed to provide testimony for BAHC in these areas, but if any other members (especially Columbia residents) are interested in participating/testifying/attending details are provided below. We were also asked that if some bicyclists can ride to meeting and show up in spandex that would be excellent PR.

Concerns I felt are key for bicyclists (and pedestrians) in the Downtown development plan:

* Focus on both intra (Village to Village to Downtown) bike accessibility as well as inter (Columbia to recreational/commuter routes) bike routes (Little Patuxent Pkwy, Cedar Lane, Harper’s Farm, etc.). Part of this involves Columbia Association path improvements/extensions (including some possibly lighting and directional signs/maps) to modify path system for bike transportation as well as recreational use and part is County responsibility to provide bike paths on major arterial routes in and out of downtown.
* The plan should include bike racks and storage at Park and Rides on periphery of Columbia, downtown at Mall and lakeside, and at major employers (HC General Hospital, HCC, APL, etc.).
* Safe routes must link with all these locations.


Jack Guarneri

Chair Bicycling Advocates of Howard County
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jean Moon
Date: Mon, Nov 9, 2009 at 3:57 PM
Subject: Downtown Columbia public hearing set for Saturday, Nov. 14, 9 a.m.
To: Community Leaders



The General Plan Amendment and Zoning Regulation Amendment (CB 58-2009 and CB 59-2009) for redevelopment and revitalization of downtown Columbia were introduced at the County Council’s Legislative Session November 2, and the public hearing on the proposed legislation will be held Saturday, November 14, 2009, starting at 9:00 a.m., at the Board of Education, 10910 State Route 108, Ellicott City, 21042.

You are encouraged to testify and to sign-up now.

You can register on-line by visiting the County Council’s website at <a href="http://www.howardcountymd.gov/CountyCouncil/CC_GiveTestimonySignup2.asp">http://www.howardcountymd.gov/CountyCouncil/CC_GiveTestimonySignup2.asp</a>; . When you submit the e-signup, it should flash and thank you, and you should get a separate e-mail acknowledging your signup.

The electronic sign-up will remain active until 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 13, 2009. If you want to know your place in line, you may be able to access the list the afternoon of November 13. Call 410-313-2001, if the information is not posted on-line or if you do not receive acknowledgement of your sign-up. Anyone is welcome to sign-up in person at the hearing.

There is a time limit of 3 minutes for individual testimony and 5 minutes for group testimony for each bill. For those who will be testifying on both bills, individuals will be afforded 6 minutes and groups may have 10 minutes.

For those who cannot attend the meeting but are still interested in listening to testimony, watch online via podcast by accessing the link below and selecting the proper date, November 14, 2009. <a href="http://www.howardcountymd.gov/CountyCouncil/CC_Watch_The_Council.htm">http://www.howardcountymd.gov/CountyCouncil/CC_Watch_The_Council.htm</a>;

Some important links regarding the proposed legislation are listed below to reference at your convenience.

CB 58-2009
<a href="http://www.howardcountymd.gov/CountyCouncil/CCdocs/CB58-2009.pdf">http://www.howardcountymd.gov/CountyCouncil/CCdocs/CB58-2009.pdf</a>;

CB 59-2009 (ZRA 113)
<a href="http://www.howardcountymd.gov/CountyCouncil/CCdocs/CB59-2009.pdf">http://www.howardcountymd.gov/CountyCouncil/CCdocs/CB59-2009.pdf</a>;

Downtown Columbia Fiscal Impact Analysis (Fiscal Impact Results, October 23, 2009)
<a href="http://www.co.ho.md.us/CountyCouncil/CCdocs/Downtown%20Columbia%20Fiscal%20Results.pdf">http://www.co.ho.md.us/CountyCouncil/CCdocs/Downtown%20Columbia%20Fiscal%20Results.pdf</a>;

Downtown Columbia Fiscal Impact Analysis (Costs, Revenues, &amp; Development Assumptions Document, October 23, 2009)
<a href="http://www.co.ho.md.us/CountyCouncil/CCdocs/Downtown%20Columbia%20Assumptions%20Document.pdf">http://www.co.ho.md.us/CountyCouncil/CCdocs/Downtown%20Columbia%20Assumptions%20Document.pdf</a>;

Downtown Columbia Fiscal Impact Analysis (PowerPoint Presentation)
<a href="http://www.co.ho.md.us/CountyCouncil/CC_ZoningRegulationAmendments.htm">http://www.co.ho.md.us/CountyCouncil/CC_ZoningRegulationAmendments.htm</a>; , then Click on Downtown Columbia FIA under ZRA 113

Link to Howard County Economic Development Authority’s Economic Impact Study
<a href="http://www.hceda.org/uploads/pdfs/ColumbiaDowntownFINAL_101409.pdf">http://www.hceda.org/uploads/pdfs/ColumbiaDowntownFINAL_101409.pdf</a>;

Link to Columbia Association’s vision for Symphony Woods
<a href="http://www.columbiaassociation.com/SymphonyWoods/index.cfm">http://www.columbiaassociation.com/SymphonyWoods/index.cfm</a>;

by B' Spokes

Like most people I live a hectic life and who has the time for much exercise? Thanks to xtracycle now I do. By using my bike for daily activities I can get things done and get an hour plus work out in 15 minutes extra of my time, not a bad deal and beats taking the extra time going to the gym. In case you are still having trouble being motivated; the National Center of Disease Control says that inactivity is the #2 killer in the United States just behind smoking. ( http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/bb_nutrition/ ) Get out there and start living life! I can carry home a full shopping cart of groceries, car pool two kids or just get lost in the great outdoors camping for a week. Well I got go, another outing this weekend.
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