Overview
The Department of Planning and Zoning is updating the Route 40 Design Manual to better reflect the County’s current goals and long-term plans. This update will take a fresh look at how the Route 40 Corridor is designed, with the goal of creating spaces that are attractive, well-organized, and work well for both residents and businesses.
The project will utilize the County’s general plan, HoCo By Design, and the County’s Complete Streets policy enacted in 2019. It will also include recommendations from community members and local stakeholders.
As the area has grown and changed, so has the Corridor - with new housing, businesses, and transportation needs emerging. HoCo By Design (adopted in 2023) and the Ellicott City Watershed Master Plan (adopted in 2020) lay out a clear vision for the future. The updated design manual will help make sure that future development and improvements support that vision.
What's New: Share Your Thoughts in Our Survey!
Since 2009, the County has adopted numerous plans, polices and manuals that outline new visions for streetscapes, land use, transportation, and design within the Corridor. They emphasize the need for placemaking, sustainable practices, and a unified architectural identity that reflects the Route 40 Corridor’s unique history.
As the Corridor has evolved, new opportunities for adaptive reuse, pedestrian-friendly streetscapes, and vibrant mixed-use redevelopments have emerged.
Your valued feedback will help inform this update. This short survey should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete.
The survey will close on November 3rd at 11:59pm.
Design Manual Update Process
Background
The Manual provides design guidance for new development in the Route 40 Corridor. The Manual’s intent is to enhance the image and function of Route 40 by offering guidance for various elements, including, building and site design, signage, place making, multimodal connectivity and streetscapes.
Comments
Please send comments or suggestions to planning@howardcountymd.gov, and reference "Route 40 Design Manual" in the subject line.
We will collect and review all comments as we work through the process.