The Harford County Department of Planning and Zoning drafted a new Master Plan and Land Use Element Plan to guide development through 2035. Public input identified challenges around growth, resources, and quality of life. The Plan establishes guiding principles like conservation and sustainability. It analyzes land use capacity, population growth, and economic trends. Proposed changes include designating more land for commercial and industrial use, and protecting rural and natural areas. The Plan's approach balances development, sustainability, and community health based on state visions and water quality plans. It will undergo public review before the County Council considers adoption in early 2012.

1. Draft Master Plan and Land Use Element Plan 2012 Harford County Department of Planning and Zoning

2. Background Harford County Residential Vacant Land Inventory Commercial and Industrial land inventories 2004 Land Use Plan Implementation Report

3. Background Public Workshops and online community Identified major challenges facing the County today and in the future Solicited input on strategies - Countywide and at the community level

4. What is the Master Plan? Master Plan Relationship between the Land Use Plan and the other Element Plans Role of Federal, State, and regional programs Bay Restoration Program – Phase II WIP Smart, Green, and Growing Visions Public Participation Process Interjurisdictional Coordination

5. What Is The Master Plan? History of planning Demographics 2010 population 244,826 2035 population 292,260 244,82 45-64 cohort had largest total increase Largest percent increase 85 and over 0-4 and 25-44 age groups lost population

6. Master Plan and Land Use Element Plan Goal:“Protect and preserve the assets that make Harford County unique and utilize them to become a healthy, sustainable 21st century community.” Guiding Principles: Quality of life Rural heritage Resource conservation Economic vitality Sustainable growth Healthy communities Regional Integration

7. Land Use Element Plan Existing Land Use Available Land Capacities Policies and Strategies Community Areas Implementation Land Use and Natural Features Maps

8. * Other includes Commercial, Office, Industrial, Transportation/utilities, other uses, vacant buildings & Unimproved land

9. Land Capacity Analysis Over 20 year supply of residential capacity in the Development EnvelopeProjected build-out rate of 1,100 units per year Over 24.8 million square feet of commercial capacity Projected 10 year demand 4.1 million square feet 52.5 million square feet of industrial capacity Projected 10 year demand 1.6 million square feet

11. Aberdeen/Havre de Grace Changed Agricultural designation south of I-95 to Low Intensity.

12. Fallston Business Corridor Changed High Intensity designation to match existing B3 zoning; added Medium Intensity to match existing R2 zoning.

13. Forest Hill Neighborhood Center Added a new Neighborhood Center at the intersection of Osborne Parkway/Colgate Drive and MD Route 24.

14. Harford Community College Expanded Harford Community College to match future expansion plans.

15. Rural Residential Removed the Rural Residential designation from the Land Use Map.

16. Sustainability Through Growth Management and Resource Conservation Topical Sections Land Use Economic Prosperity Public Facilities, Services, and Safety Sustainability Themes based on community input and legislative requirements Policies and strategies that will be used to guide future land use

17. Sustainability Through Growth Management and Resource Conservation Plan’s approach influenced by: Smart, Green and Growing Visions Phase II WIP and upcoming TMDL limits Provide a balance of residential, commercial, and employment opportunities Sustainable approach to Land Use planning Providing a health environment for County residents

18. Community Areas Protect and enhance existing neighborhoods Provide a balance of residential, commercial, and employment opportunities Ensure sustainability Provide multimodal transportation that is sensitive to community character Provide opportunities for a healthy lifestyle Protect natural, historical, and cultural resources Protect rural areas

20. Next Steps October 10, 2011 - Plan released for public review and comment October 20, 2011 Public Workshop Harford Community College Chesapeake Room 6:30-8:30 p.m. November 10, 2011 Public comment period closes January 2012 – Introduction by County Council February 2012– County Council public hearing www.harfordcountymd.gov/planningzoning