Local development watchdogs should have an easier time gleaning information from the Howard County Department of Planning and Zoning.
The department launched a new online subscription service for instant updates ? the latest step aimed at boosting communication with residents.
“We want to be more proactive in providing information on a regular basis,” said Kim Flowers, deputy director at the planning and zoning department.
Planning board agendas and pre-submission community meetings are included in the department?s subscription service, known as an RSS ? Really Simple Syndication ? feed.
Residents can receive updates on their computers, rather than having to keep checking the Web site.
“We would like to expand and enhance the amount of information we get out on RSS,” Flowers said.
Since taking the job several months ago as a liaison between the department and community, Flowers has been working on ways to boost public confidence in the department. She was hired on the heels of a scathing report from County Executive Ken Ulman?s transition team, which said the department “lacks trust, accountability and transparency.”
The department has been working to implement the team?s recommendations, Flowers said.
For example, officials are reviewing the subdivision and land development review process to make it more efficient for county agencies and developers, she said.
Bridget Mugane, president of the Howard County Citizens Association, lauded the department?s efforts to make information more accessible and said she plans to sign up for the service.
But she said she still struggles to navigate the county Web site, most recently in her attempts to find planning board information. The RSS notices direct users to the department?s Web site.
“I hope they can work on that,” she said.
ON THE NET
To sign up for the Howard County Department of Planning and Zoning?s Web subscription service, known as an RSS feed, visit
howardcountymd.gov/DPZ/DPZ_HomePage.htm.
