Most Howard County Council candidates said the duties of the Zoning Board should remain with the council, but some said the board should be independent from the elected body.
“It should be an elected position, and there should be accountability,” said Gina Gabrielle Ellrich, a Republican candidate for District 2.
Several other candidates speaking at a recent forum hosted by the county?s Leagueof Women Voters echoed Ellrich?s sentiments, agreeing that accountability would be ensured with elected positions.
“With an appointed board, you can?t ask them to be accountable and responsible,” said Council Member Calvin Ball, D-District 2, who is running for re-election.
Others suggested the duties remain with the council now, but a task force be formed to review the process.
“At this point, I don?t think they should [surrender zoning duties],” said Mary Kay Sigaty, Democratic candidate for District 4. “But I?d like to see us put together a task force to look at how it?s done in Howard County” and other counties.
Wayne Livesay, Republican candidate for District 5, said he wasn?t sure if the zoning duties should be changed, but he supported having a task force and making sure the public was involved in the review process.
However, candidates argued that having zoning under the council?s authority politicized the duties.
“I think the Zoning Board is the wrong place to ask for accountability from the County Council,” said Adam Sachs, a Democrat vying for the District 2 seat. “It shouldn?t be a political position. … It shouldn?t be about holding the County Council responsible; it should be the facts and impartial.”
