Harford County Code requires a comprehensive zoning review a minimum of every eight years. On August 11, 2009 County Council President Billy Boniface and I signed Harford County Bill 09-23.  The signing of this bill was the culmination of a 14 month process that began in May 2008 when the legislation to initiate the Comprehensive Zoning Review Process was approved.  

The Harford County Department of Planning and Zoning received 327 applications from land owners requesting zoning changes.  Each application was reviewed for consistency with Harford County’s goals regarding land use, growth management, resource protection, and economic development.  Coming on the heals of completing an 18 month process to rewrite the Zoning Code and Development Regulations,  this review of over 300 rezoning requests was completed with professionalism by the P&Z staff.  Harford County citizens can be assured that each and every application received a thorough analysis that examined the surrounding communities and considered future use and needs.  

The County Council President and Council members in turn carefully reviewed each recommendation they received from the Planning & Zoning Department and the Planning Advisory Board.  Each Council member was keenly engaged with community leaders and neighborhood representatives within their districts to ensure that citizens concerns were heard, communicated, and negotiated.  

The updated Zoning Code established Transfer of Development Rights program and there were several applications requesting RR zoning that were within areas designated for Rural Residential use in the 2004 Land Use Element Plan.  This is another tool that will help Harford County preserve farms and farmland.  

The overall review of the requested zoning changes included comments from citizens and advisory groups.  The Planning and Zoning staff and I met with officers from the Friends of Harford to discuss their review of all the requested zoning changes.  I cannot over emphasize how much I admire the work of the Friends and the volunteer time that they devote to this process.  

Planning and Zoning conducted four public input meetings.  The County Council conducted three public hearings.  And new technology was introduced this year on the County website that featured an interactive page that allowed citizens to view each application via GIS tracking and also provide comment.  

I am grateful for the hard work and dedication of the Planning and Zoning staff during this process.  I commend the County Council President for his role in managing this important land use issue.  And, I feel especially fortunate to be the Executive of a county whose citizens are involved, engaged, and always committed to keep Harford County a great place to live, work, and raise a family.