As small residential developments pop up around Howard County, one crucial piece is missing: Sidewalks.
This observation is according to Howard County Councilwoman Jen Terrasa, D-District 3, who is pushing a measure to require developers to include sidewalks in certain developments or pay a fee in their place.
“It?s really important, as we have these little projects coming up,” Terrasa said.
Terrasa?s bill, which will be introduced Monday, would require residential developments of 10 or fewer houses that front on county or state roads to include sidewalks.
For minor subdivisions, such as those with just a few units, developers would have to pay a fee in lieu of the sidewalk construction, according to the measure.
The proposal expands an effort started last year by then-Council Member and now-state Del. Guy Guzzone, D-Howard. Under his bill, developers must build sidewalks for developments within 1,000 feet of a public institution, such as a school.
Guzzone?s measure was intended to address the single issue of sidewalks along Guilford Road near HammondHigh School, he said. He didn?t try to expand the measure further, as it was an election year, and he didn?t want his measure to stall.
“So what she?s doing is the right thing,” he said of Terrasa?s bill. “We found over the course of time, you end up with all these gaps. It?s a shame that it?s like that.”
The measure may face opposition from developers, since it could cost them more money, Guzzone said.
The Howard County Chamber of Commerce has not taken a position on the bill but may consider it after it has been introduced, said Heidi Gaasch, director of government affairs at the chamber.
Sidewalks are not required for all residential developments, according to the county?s regulations. For example, they are not called for in rural areas, and the Department of Planning and Zoning can waive requirements where sidewalks are not needed or hurt the character of the road.
“I depends on the area,” Department Deputy Director Kim Flowers said.
