Affordable housing, the height of the high-rise in Columbia and transfats are a few of the concerns Howard County residents had for the new county administration during a Wednesday meeting.
“We have a problem with our youth and their bulkiness,” said former county executive candidate Harry Dunbar, who called on the county to follow New York City?s footsteps and ban trans fats, which can lead to heart disease.
County Executive Ken Ulman?s transition team gathered the public feedback at the meeting, where residents also suggested more police patrols on bicycles, more green building requirements and more openness from the county government regarding new developments and zoning changes.
Among the most frequently raised issues was the need for more affordable housing.
Bill Ross, a member of the county?s Task Force on Affordable Housing, presented a list of initiatives, many of which were in the group?s final report. He said the county?s Department of Housing and Community Development should:
» consider acquiring land and funding for affordable housing
» review unused land that could be dedicated to affordable housing
» develop a public education campaign.
Marvin Lawson, of the Coalition for Columbia?s Downtown, along with several other group members, said the redevelopment should be Ulman?s top priority.
Lawson asked that Ulman introduce legislation for height limits in Columbia, require developers to follow green building standards and ensure roads and transit are in place before new development begins.
The new administration should compile an e-mail list of activists and community leaders to better notify the community of events such as zoning changes and meetings, said Betsy McMillion, of the Friends of Patapsco Valley and Heritage Greenway.
