Harford’S future is buried within 800 pages of legislation and spread across six binders, but critics said they hope its importance can convince the public to get excited about the dry topic of planning and zoning.
The hefty tomes — also available as a series of downloads from the county’s Web site — contain the new rules for zoning and development representing the first time since 1982 that the whole code has been overhauled.
But some say the information is tough to access and tougher to understand, making it difficult for residents to participate in the changes.
“A document this big is something that will affect us for decades, and people will want to know how this affects their lives,” said Charles Day, of Darlington, who was appointed by the County Council to sit on the work group reviewing the early draft of the code and making recommendations.
He said he was concerned by reports that the county was telling people extra copies of the binders were not available and residents couldn’t find the information online.
Others criticized the contents of the new code, saying it was more lax for developers and more restrictive for residents.
“The language needs tightening, the citizens need a stronger voice, and planning and zoning needs more accountability in the code,” said Dr. Roman Ratych, president of the Greater Fallston Association and co-author of the Web site www.communityresponsetothezoningcode.com.
Among the group’s grievances were what they interpreted as weakened provisions for landowners or neighbors to appeal a county decision over how a property is used, Ratych said.
The new code narrowed the definitions of who can appeal and on what grounds, he said.
The size and scope of the document, Ratych said, makes it all but impossible for Harford’s voters to digest.
“I would find it extraordinary for an average citizen to be able to review this entire document,” he said. “Even for someone experienced with it, or for the County Council, it will be a monumental task.”
GET INVOLVED:
- At least two public hearings will be held on the code: Sept. 16 in Bel Air and Sept. 23 at North Harford High School.
- A third hearing may be held Sept. 30.
- To download the changes to the code, click here.
- To read the Community Response Web site and comments, click here.
