Candidates for Howard County executive at Thursday?s forum were divided on how to include amenities in housing for people who are disabled and elderly.
County Council Member Christopher Merdon, R-District 2, said more zoning amendments should be created that incorporate more aspects of Universal Design into seniorhousing. Currently, Howard County requires such amenities as larger doorways.
“Seniors are the backbone of Howard County. We have made standards with zoning to bring in more senior housing. We have to make more zoning amendments for the housing,” Merdon said. “We need to revisit our zoning categories.”
County Council Member Ken Ulman, D-District 4, said he opposes granting waivers to developers who do not want to include Universal Design in senior housing. The Howard County Department of Planning and Zoning currently awards waivers.
“I support Universal Design standard housing; we ought to require more of it. … National developers get caught up in their old ways. My guess is, some of them apply for waivers,” he said.
Democratic newcomer Harry Dunbar blamed the current council for not prioritizing the issue.
“I?m disappointed that this has not already been mandated. It?s been a problem for years, but it?s been on the back burner,” he said.
Dunbar said he would set minimum requirements for Universal Design amenities for all developers.
“I would require 25 percent of all homes to incorporate Universal Design architecture. The county continues to allow developers to decide what to be built. My administration would find builders to build what is needed,” Dunbar said.
