Appointed by the County Executive with County Council consent, the Board consists of thirteen members (County Code, sec. 26.102).
The Department oversees seven divisions: Comprehensive Planning and Community Planning; Development Engineering; Land Development; Research; Resouce Conservation; Transportation; and Zoning Administration and Public Service. The Department also is aided by four advisory boards.
Appointed by the County Executive with County Council consent, the five members of the Advisory Board serve five-year terms (Code Agriculture Article, sec. 2-504.1; County Code, secs. 15.500 through 15.521).
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Appointed by the County Executive with County Council consent, the Commission consists of seven members (County Code, secs. 16.600 through 16.612).
PLANNING BOARD
Each year, the Planning Board reviews the proposed capital program and any new or substantially changed capital project. It prepares comments and recommendations on the impact of the proposed capital program on the County general plan and the growth of the County and submits these comments and recommendations to the County Executive, with a copy to the County Council.
The Board consists of five members appointed to four-year terms by the County Executive with County Council consent (Code 1957, Art. 66B, secs. 3.01-3.09; County Code, sec. 16.900).
ZONING BOARD
The Board is appointed by the County Executive with County Council consent (County Code, secs. 16.200 through 16.308).
DIVISION OF TRANSPORTATION
Appointed by the County Executive with County Council consent, the Board consists of seven members who serve five-year terms (County Code, secs. 21.500 through 21.503).
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors manages the affairs of the Economic Development Authority and exercises all its corporate powers.
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & ZONING
The Department of Planning and Zoning is charged with comprehensively planning for the growth and development of Howard County (County Charter, secs. 405, 701-709; County Code, secs. 16.800 through 16.801).
AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD
The Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board advises the County Council on the establishment of agricultural districts and the approval of purchases of easements within the County by the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation.
The Historic Preservation Commission advises the County Executive on the protection, enhancement, and perpetuation of structures and sites that represent or reflect elements of the County's cultural, social, economic, political and architectural history. The Commission also maintains and updates the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties for Harford County; and reviews all petitions for designation to the Harford County Register of Historic Places and submits recommendations to the County Council.
To the County Council and the Zoning Board, the Planning Board makes recommendations relating to the planning and zoning of the County, the adoption and amendment of regulations regarding the planning and zoning of the County, and amendments to the zoning map or zoning regulations.
The Zoning Board hears and decides appeals where it is alleged there is any error in any zoning order, requirement, decision, or determination. It also interprets district boundaries on official zoning maps. Upon appeal, in specific cases, the Board may authorize such variances as will not be contrary to the public interest where, owing to special conditions, a literal enforcement would result in unnecessary hardship or practical difficulty.
Within the Department of Planning and Zoning, the Division of Transportation coordinates the County's public transportation system.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION BOARD
The Public Transportation Board makes recommendations to the County Executive concerning contracts with State and Federal agencies, firms, corporations, and associations to provide public transportation services to Howard County. The Board identifies financial and other resources to support and expand County public transportation services; assists in procuring adequate public transportation for County residents having no alternative means of transportation; and helps increase transportation access to social services, educational institutions, recreational facilities, and domestic supplies.
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e-mail: mdmanual@mdarchives.state.md.us