The Howard County Council takes a legislative recess in August, free of public hearings and work sessions.
But the month won?t be a break as members tackle pet projects and gear up for a busy fall.
Courtney Watson
Watson, D-District 1, plans to work on curbing so-called infill development, which is new housing built in existing neighborhoods and improving the county?s zoning regulations with the county?s Department of Planning and Zoning.
“There will be a lot of tweaking of infill [regulations],” she said, adding that the council is expected to consider legislation in the fall.
Watson championed a recent measure barring the construction of two-family houses as a conditional use on lots smaller than 16,000 square feet.
But the month won?t be all infill for Watson. She said she also plans to take a beach trip with her family.
Calvin Ball
For Ball, D-District 2, the recess is no time for a vacation.
“I?ll be working with the county executive and his staff on a general cleanup, revision and evaluation of current policies with an eye toward affordable housing,” Ball said.
Administration officials have said they plan to introduce a major legislation package in the fall to address the affordable housing need.
Ball also plans to focus on boosting financial literacy, which can mean less debt and boost homeownership.
In March, he hosted a summit for schools, financial institutions, Realtors and community leaders to help craft that plan.
Jen Terrasa
On Terrasa?s calendar is a trip to Vermont for some “much-needed” time with her family.
She will return for the mid-month conference of the Maryland Association of Counties in Ocean City, a good chance for networking with other county officials, said the Democrat for the 3rd District.
The rest of her time will be spent meeting with her constituents and gearing up to take on some large issues, such as downtown Columbia revitalization, affordable housing and improvements to the county?s zoning process.
Mary Kay Sigaty
Sigaty?s month is expected to be dominated by the planned high-rise building in downtown Columbia.
Aside from a weeklong trip to South Dakota to visit family, Sigaty, D-District 4, plans to work on legislation aimed at restricting building heights in Columbia.
She plans to introduce legislation based on two zoning regulation changes capping heights at least temporarily at 150 feet.
Sigaty recently received the planning board?s written opinion on her proposed zoning changes, which it rejected, and will be working with the county?s Office of Law to see how a recent Circuit Court ruling clearing the way for construction of the 275-foot Plaza Residences may affect her proposals.
Greg Fox
Fox, R-District 5, will focus on his day job and spend time with family.
As director of business development for Constellation Energy Projects and Services Group, he said he will be traveling to a federal energy conference in New Orleans this week.
In his council duties, Fox said he is considering possible ways to “improve or broaden energy conservation within existing structures, both residential and commercial,” continuing on the momentum from therecent passage of the green building legislation.
