Many developers welcome the idea of having their building designs vetted by a panel of their peers.
“I think it?s a great idea,” said Jared Spahn, a general contractor for Old Town Construction.
Howard County officials proposed creating a five-member panel of experts to ensure new developments are compatible with existing neighborhoods.
The idea for the panel came from representatives in the development community, said Steve Lafferty, deputy director of the Department of Planning and Zoning.
Developers “would point out [buildings] they didn?t feel were high quality and that Howard County deserved better,” he said.
Similar panels have been created in jurisdictions nationwide, including Baltimore County, and officials agreed peer review is needed.
“I see a lot of development going in that I look at and say, ?What were they thinking?? ” said Steven Vasilion, an Illinois-based architect and historic commissioner.
Many builders follow the law and zoning regulations, but when it comes to taste, some builders need help, he said.
Columbus, Ohio-based architect Jonathan Barnes said a panel can be helpful if it focuses more on the big picture, rather than small design details with which panel members might not agree.
However, not all builders are sold on the idea.
Scott Armiger, vice president of Orchard Development in Ellicott City, said the free market should drive the building design, not an appointed panel.
“I think it should be left up to the developer,” he said, adding that the panel?s recommendations could drive up development costs.
Developers conduct market studies and community meetings to ensure the development is good-looking and fits the neighborhood, Armiger said.
“I don?t think we would care to have someone else design a product for us,” he said, adding it could be an “unnecessary step that makes things more bureaucratic.”
But Spahn doesn?t object to an additional step.
“I am for any layering that makessense if it helps make a consistent look and feel in Howard County,” he said.
