DOWNTOWN COLUMBIA PLAN LEGISLATION

by B' Spokes
Tuesday, January 26 2010 @ 09:33 AM GMT

By Jen Terrasa

I appreciate your input and your continued interest in Downtown Columbia. As the time for a final decision on the bills approaches, I wanted to let you know about our upcoming sessions on the two bills that comprise the proposed Downtown Columbia revitalization.

Upcoming Work Session and Voting Session
1. WORK SESSION: Monday, January 25, 2010 beginning at 4:30 p.m., Board of Education, 10910 Route 108, Ellicott City, MD.
2. VOTING SESSION: Monday, February 1, 2010 beginning at 7:30 p.m., Board of Education, 10910 Route 108, Ellicott City, MD. The Council is scheduled to vote on Council Bills 58-2009 and 59-2009 during its legislative session.

Status of the Bills and Amendments
On Monday, January 4, 2010, five amendments were introduced for Council Bills 58-2009 and 59-2009. The two amendments to CB 58-2009 and the three amendments to CB 59-2009 were found to be substantive and have been “amended” into the bills as required by our charter. This means that the language from these five amendments has been added within the text of the complete bills. However, the Council can still amend these until the final vote on the bills. The amended bills can be found at:
http://www.co.ho.md.us/CountyCouncil/CCdocs/Amended CB58-2009 http://www.co.ho.md.us/CountyCouncil/CCdocs/Amended CB58-2009

Those individual amendments are located on the Council’s website at: Current Legislation. Please scroll to the bottom of the page and you will find them under “Tabled Legislation”.

Additional amendments are being developed, and are being shared in draft form below and on a separate webpage at: CB58 & 59-2009 Draft Amendments.

Draft Amended CB58-Amendment A clarifies language relating to Symphony Woods.

Draft Amended CB59 Amendment B would remove the environmental enhancement options for the replacement of downtown parkland.
Draft Amended CB58 Amendment C clarifies the table of contents of the attachment.
Draft Amended CB58 Amendment D clarifies alternative financing mechanisms.
Draft Amended CB59 Amendment E clarifies phasing.
Draft Amended CB58 Amendment F clarifies language relating to the Mall.
Draft Amended CB58 Amendment G clarifies a preference for public streets in Downtown.
Draft Amended CB58 Amendment H clarifies that references to General Growth Properties are intended to include its affiliates and any successors, assigns or purchasers.
Draft Amended CB58 Amendment I clarifies critical lane volume requirements.
Draft Amended CB58 Amendment J replaces the existing Downtown Revitalization Phasing Plan found on page 41 with the attached revised Downtown Revitalization Phasing Plan.
Draft Amended CB58 Amendment K changes the maximum building heights .
Draft Amended CB58 Amendment L clarifies language relating to bicycle routes and adds language relating to the path between Blandair and Howard County General.
Draft Amended CB58 Amendment M adds certain requirements to preserve the former Rouse Company Headquarters building.
Draft Amended CB59 Amendment N makes certain changes to open space preservation and enhancement requirements in order to:
1. Remove certain redundant language;
2. Reorganize certain language;
3. Clarify the nature of future sites for downtown community commons; and
4. Clarify what happens if downtown community commons are identified in excess of the requirement.
Draft Amended CB59 Amendment O clarifies chart compliance determinations.
Draft Amended CB58 Amendment Prequires the petitioners for Downtown Revitalization to submit Site Development Plans to the Design Advisory Panel prior to review by the Planning Board.
Draft Amended CB58 Amendment Q replaces the current CEPPA chart with the attached revised chart.
Draft Amended CB58 Amendment R incorporates certain documents necessary for environmental restoration projects, clarifies the types and timing of environmental restoration projects to be performed, clarifies the link between the Sustainability Program and design guidelines and clarifies the role of the Environment and Sustainability Board.
Draft Amended CB59 Amendment S clarifies language, adds submission requirements and Planning Board approval criteria relating to the Final Development Plan
Following the hearing and work session, the Council will determine which of the draft amendments will be filed for final consideration with the legislation.

If you wish, you may submit written testimony to the entire Council at "councilmail@howardcountymd.gov" or to me directly at "jterrasa@howardcountymd.gov".

I truly appreciate your participation in this process and I welcome your comments on the legislation. We share a common goal to see the best future for Downtown Columbia.

http://jenterrasadistrict3blog.blogspot.com/2010/01/downtown-columbia-plan-legislation.html