Much has happened since our last newsletter. While the vaccine rollout continues to be frustrating for some, great strides have been made in getting our highest risk community members vaccinated. I am grateful to Dr. Rossman, her staff and the dozens of volunteers who have made the best of a very difficult situation handed to them by the state and federal government. If you are in one of the approved groups and remain unable to secure a vaccine appointment, please contact our office.
Governor Hogan has continued to reopen businesses and expand capacity. I appreciate County Executive Ball's decision to keep pace with these steps toward full recovery by not imposing greater limits at the county level. We have also gotten almost all of our students who desire back into school buildings, allowed sports and other activities to happen and are preparing for in-person graduations. Thank you to Dr. Martirano, HCPSS staff and several Board of Education members for your efforts and commitment to get our public school students and educators one step closer to fully normalized education.
Unrelated to COVID, we have seen lots of legislative action, new development proposals and other changes that will greatly impact our county, so please visit those sections of this newsletter.
The fiscal year 2022 budget process has begun. Howard County has an executive-led budget similar to the state, in which the Executive Branch creates the budget and submits that budget to the Legislative Branch for approval. County Executive Ball has submitted his proposed Capital Budget (long term investments such as building construction), to the County Council and will submit his proposed Operating Budget later this month. We will hold numerous work sessions and public hearings over the next seven weeks. As our county's population and tax base growth continues to slow, it has become challenging to satisfy the many true needs/priorities much less the hundreds of wants for new projects and programs. I encourage you to engage in this process!
Even though local businesses are now operating with fewer restrictions, many of them have a long road to recovery ahead. Please continue to shop and dine locally. These business owners and their employees are our neighbors and need our support. And don’t forget our county farms, many of which have their own markets and pick your own opportunities.
Stay on top of announcements regarding the vaccination process on the State website as well as the County COVID Dashboard. You can also like the District 5 Facebook Page to see current news and announcements. Please share our newsletter and encourage others to sign up so they can stay apprised of what is happening around the community.
David Yungmann
Howard County Council, District 5
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Solar Expansion and New Rules
CB-17 creates new regulations for all forms of solar installations, including refinement of the rules for large commercial ground mount solar arrays on large parcels in the rural west. I've made my position well known, which is that Commercial solar on property zoned Rural Residential and Rural Conservation should be very limited and it should not be permitted on preservation parcels. While unable to fully attain that goal, I have sponsored numerous amendments to the bill that aim to protect farmland, agriculture uses overall and adjacent residential property owners. If you are interested in being heard on this topic, CB-17 or its amendments, please email all council members at councilmail@howardcountymd.gov.
Sanctuary County
We reported last month that a group of Howard County citizens had organized to temporarily halt CB-63 and ultimately place the bill on the ballot in 2022 so voters could decide if it will become law. The first step of that effort has been achieved by collecting enough signatures to suspend the bill until November 2022 when it will appear on the ballot. Several months ago, the County Council approved CB-63 which prohibits virtually all cooperation and teamwork between county employees/agencies and federal authorities.
General Plan Revision
The General Plan is the primary document upon which land use decisions, zoning policies/code and zoning districts will be based for the next decade. Last month we alerted you that there are several draft scenarios being promoted by residents from the eastern parts of the county and low-income housing advocates that would bring major increases in development throughout all parts of District 5, including the rural west. While we continue to wait for those scenarios to be published, we will keep reminding you that this is coming our way and we will need your engagement if you want to maintain the density level of your local area.
Please follow our legislative calendar and sign up to testify on bills that are of interest to you. A public hearing is held on every bill, resolution or other legislative action. This is your opportunity to make your views known to all members of the Council. It is critical that we hear from the public, so please consider testifying on legislation that is of interest to you.
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Upcoming Pre-Submission Community Meetings:
Project: GTW's Waverly Woods
Planned Use: Wireless Telecommunications Facility - review the project website here.
Date: 4/27/21 at 6:00 pm
Project: 15900 Carrs Mill Road
Planned Use: Commercial Solar Facility
Date: 4/27/21 at 6:00 pm
Location: Contact Gina Pagani at Talkin & Oh, LLP for details. Virtual Meeting link for the meeting will be available at the meeting start time.
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Please be sure to check the link to the full calendar for any date or time changes that may be necessary due to scheduling during the continued stay at home order. |
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Should Western Howard County
See Increased Development?
NOW Is Your Chance To Be Heard!
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As the County Executive prepares for the Howard County General Plan rewrite, opinions are being solicited through a dedicated process called HoCo By Design. There are many who believe that Howard County development should move west. Now is the time to have your opinions heard. |
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Howard County’s Department of Public Works (DPW) will hold a virtual public meeting on Thursday, April 15th starting at 6:00 p.m., to discuss plans for a drainage improvement project in the Valley Mede neighborhood of Ellicott City. You can find full details about the meeting and how to participate here.
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April Showers Bring Smiles To Our Farmers And Fresh Produce To Our Tables
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Our local farms welcome the spring and summer produce season. Many offer produce for sale or pick your own opportunities, while others hold special events.
A complete listing of farms can be found at the Farm Connect website.
Looking for information about agriculture in Howard County? Visit the Farm Bureau website for news or to become a member.
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COVID-19 Vaccination Update
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The COVID 19 Vaccination process continues to move forward, with supply concerns easing a bit. We are currently in phase 2B, so be sure that you are pre-registered to receive emails from the Health Department regarding when you are eligible to schedule an appointment. Notification emails with clinic details are typically sent out on Saturday or Sunday, so be sure to keep an eye on your inbox as your phase opens.
The COVID 19 Vaccine page provides up-to-date information on progress and also includes the necessary links to pre-register if you have not yet done so.
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Maryland Route 32 Update
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As of 3/31/2021 the project is 60% complete.
The superstructure for the bridge over the Middle Patuxent River is complete and crews are now constructing the bridge approaches on both ends. The Triadelphia Road bridge’s steel painting will start later this spring. Landscaping is complete on the new Terrapin Run road.
In the northern work zone (NWZ), a pump around is now in place at the Middle Patuxent stream. The stream is being relocated and crews will be working on the roadway grading. Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) will be on-site the first week of April to start work in the NWZ.
A precast box culvert has been placed at structures 1 and 8 in the southern work zone. Both will be tied into the existing headwall.
In the central work zone, the roadway excavation on southbound MD 32 between south of Fox Valley to the Burntwoods interchange is complete. Crews are starting work to widen the median within the Burntwoods interchange.
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District 5 Residents Receive
Much Needed Home Repair
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Rebuilding Together Howard County has been working in the community since 1992, helping thousands of residents over the years by providing low-income Howard County homeowners with free home repairs. Many are elderly, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and families with children who cannot afford to make critical home repairs on their own.
Recently, a D5 couple reached out to Rebuilding Together for help with roof repairs. Temporary solutions left the couple feeling anxious during significant weather events about the possibility of further damage to their home. Desperate for help, they reached out to Rebuilding Together through the Howard County Department of Housing and Community Development. As a result, necessary repairs will begin soon to give these residents the peace of mind they deserve.
If you know a low-income Howard County homeowner who needs help with critical repairs to their home, contact Rebuilding Together Howard County at: 410 381-3338, or apply online.
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HCPSS Students Named 2021 Carson Scholars
Ellicott City, Maryland — Thirty HCPSS students in Grades 4-11, who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and humanitarianism, have been recognized as 2021 Carson Scholars. The recipients of this prestigious award must have a minimum GPA of 3.75 and selflessly give of themselves, their time, and their talents to others. Recognized Carson Scholars have renewed their Carson Scholar status by maintaining high academic standards and continuing to show strong commitment to their communities.
Congratulations to all of our District 5 Carson Scholars!
2021 HCPSS First-time Scholars:
- Brock Miller, Bushy Park Elementary School
- Adam M. Silverstein, Folly Quarter Middle School
2021 HCPSS Recognized Scholars:
- Olivia Calkins, Howard High School
- Serena Goyal, River Hill High School
- Naomi Ling, River Hill High School
- Mary Michele, Glenelg High School
- Haley Miller, Mount Hebron High School
- Lily Peng, River Hill High School
- Hala Silverstein, Glenelg High School
- Natalie Wenzel, Glenelg High School
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Business and Personal Resources |
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Resources for Howard County Residents |
For updates on Howard County guidelines, vaccination updates, and other resources, visit our COVID-19 Dashboard.
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Business and
Restaurant Relief
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Funding continues to be made available to our local business owners and restauranteurs. Check the HCEDA website for updates.
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Did you know that Neighbor Ride is offering FREE RIDES for Seniors (60+) to get COVID 19 vaccinations? For more information or to schedule a ride click here.
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