Friends of Harford is dedicated to a vision of Harford County as a community where an exceptional quality of life is achieved through respecting the environment and the needs of all citizens, by protecting natural resources, improving neighborhoods and preserving open space and our rural character.
Rapid change is coming to Harford County
The Zoning Code has been revised; a Comprehensive Zoning Review has just completed; BRAC will add to the pressure, bringing many new families to our community. We will need better planning for housing, water, waste handling, transportation, educational and recreational availability. We must do this in a way that preserves the environment, our quality of life, and in accordance with the Harford County Master Plan, which is also due to be revised.
Friends of Harford provides information to help you influence land use decisions being made about your community and the rest of the County. It is your decision whether and how to use this information to guide your county officials in making good choices.
Areas of Interest
- Harford County Master Plan and Land Use Element Plan Update This plan serves as the strategic plan for governing growth, environmental preservation and quality of life in Harford County. The current version is dated 2004. It will be updated soon now that the Comprehensive Zoning Review is complete. The process is beginning with the release of
- the Natural Resources Element Plan, now amended and approved by the Council, and
- the draft Transportation Element Plan, also now amended and approved by the Council.
- Stormwater Management Regulation. The Harford County Department of Public Works revised the Stormwater Management section of the county Code to comply with the state of Maryland's recently revised regulations and guidelines. Read about this important effort and Friends of Harford's involvement with the County Council to enhance the approved law.
- Transportation Planning Transportation planning goes on for our region at federal, state and local levels. It includes highways and, to a more limited degree, mass transit. The Baltimore Metro area collectively produce regional long and short range plans. An independent state agency that manages toll highways is responsible for our section of the Interstate 95. Improving the highway structure in the Route 40 / I-95 corridor and creating viable mass transit options are stated as major objectives of BRAC planning. Read what is actually in transportation plans for our area and see how to make your voice heard.
- Take (unofficially) the same Smart and Sustainable Growth Act of 2009 training course as required for our County Council members! The Smart and Sustainable Growth Act of 2009 passed in the 2009 session of the Maryland General Assembly requires local jurisdiction’s (county or municipal) Planning Commission/Board and Board of Appeals members to complete an education course on or before July 1, 2010. The Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) has developed this online course as a result of this new law. The course material is available on the right column. Though you will not be able to register, you can become as well educated as our council.
- Legislative Bills Friends of Harford follows and attempts to influence the fate of legislation concerned with elements of land use planning, mostly at the county level. Track their status; contact legislators; attend hearings. See how your legislators voted! Read about active Bills 09-36 and 09-37, concerning a land purchase for the Waste to Energy plant expansion and New House Impact Fees, respectively.
- Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Growth in mission of Aberdeen Proving Ground will accelerate change to the map of Harford County. The Army is relocating several research, development and support organizations to APG. Contractors supporting these organizations will also relocate to that vicinity. The majority will be here by 2010-2012. Planning for housing, schools, mass transportation and highways, water and sewer systems and recreational facilities must consider this growth. Federal, state, county and citizen organizations are involved in BRAC planning. You need to keep abreast and get involved if you wish to maintain our quality of life and rural character. Let's keep this a win-win situation.
- Comprehensive Zoning Review (CZR)
Harford County completed the 2008/2009 Comprehensive Zoning Review (CZR) on August 11, 2009. Over 300 requests for rezoning were received. The Bill was introduced in the Council in June, and public hearings were held in July. Comprehensive Rezoning can change your neighborhood or community. Find out what happenned. Read the Friends of Harford's assessment of the impact of Council decisions and our Report on the CZR, containing what we had recommended for each rezoning request.
- Zoning Code Update On October 22, 2008 the County Council's approved a revised Zoning Code and Subdivision Regulations, culminating over two years of effort. The new Zoning Code is a restructuring of the old code with some improvements and some negative changes. It is not a positive model for 21 st Century land use planning. This update could greatly affect our quality of life and environment. Read about it.
What You Can Do
You can influence these decisions, but only if you choose to get involved. Once you decide that you want to actively work to improve our quality of life, we urge you to study the issues, then contact county decision makers, write your local newspaper and attend and participate in:
- Community Council meetings scheduled monthly for your area
- County Council meetings held most Tuesday evenings in Bel Air
- Zoning hearings or
- Community Input Meetings scheduled for your area.
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Help preserve our quality of life.
Friends of Harford
P.O. Box 1005
Abingdon, Maryland 21009
Email: Comments@friendsofharford.com