Preliminary Draft Master Plan

On February 27, 2006 the Department of Planning and Zoning released the Preliminary Draft of the evolving Columbia Downtown Master Plan. Prepared by Design Collective, Inc. and Howard County’s Department of Planning and Zoning, the Master Plan is based on the initial concepts developed during the weeklong Charrette. The Master Plan is also influenced by discussions of the Columbia Downtown Focus Group and by public comments and emails.

Introduction 8MB	Summarizes the planning project and the charrette process. Introduction/Vision Plan PowerPoint
Vision Plan 10 MB	Presents the overall concepts and design for Downtown developed during the charrette.
Design Guidelines	Provides both regulatory requirements and recommendations regarding buildings, streetscapes, parking, public spaces and architecture. Design Guidelines PowerPoint
Implementation Strategies	Addresses the provision of infrastructure and services, phasing and monitoring of progress. Implementation Strategies PowerPoint
Zoning Approach	Describes the zoning map and text amendments to the existing New Town District that are required to regulate development in Downtown. Zoning Approach PowerPoint

February 27 Public Meeting

Nearly 250 people gathered for the community meeting held at the Spear Center in Downtown. Members of the audience, through their public comments and exit surveys, offered many helpful suggestions and ideas for the further development of the Master Plan. As a result, the Department of Planning and Zoning and the Columbia Downtown Focus Group will continue to meet and discuss key issues and provide opportunities for further public review.

• Meeting Minutes
• Major Themes and Issues

In-Studio Video Presentations

So that the public presentation of the Preliminary Draft Columbia Downtown Master Plan could be made available to a larger audience, the Department of Planning and Zoning recorded in-studio presentations of the Preliminary Draft Master Plan on March 1, 2006.

Comments and Questions

We welcome your comments throughout this process. Please contact Bill Mackey or call the Department of Planning and Zoning at 410-313-2350.