Howard County land-use hearings, this week and next
4 items before the County Council, Board of Appeals, 1 of them major cases. Updated Sun, Oct 18, 2026 from the official agendas.
Howard County to buy development rights on 62.98 acres of farmland on Jennings Chapel Road
The council will hold a public hearing on a bill approving a multi-year installment purchase agreement for the county to acquire development rights on about 62.98 acres of agricultural land at 2698 Jennings Chapel Road, Woodbine, from Eugene A. Freeze, trustee. The maximum price is $2,363,100, or $37,520 per acre, whichever applies if the acreage is less.
Zoning Board procedure changes: Hearing Examiner referrals, notice, affidavits and appeal deadlines
The council will hold a public hearing on a bill that revises how the Zoning Board decides whether petitions go first to the Hearing Examiner, changes advertising for its administrative meetings, requires certain applicants to file affidavits or disclosures, shortens the timeframe to file exceptions to the Hearing Examiner's report, and clarifies the Zoning Counsel's role.
Text amendment: Zoning Board hearing procedures, notices, affidavits and exception deadlines
The bill would change Howard County Code Title 16 rules for the Zoning Board, including how it decides whether petitions go first to the Hearing Examiner, advertising for administrative meetings, required applicant affidavits or disclosures, the deadline to file an exception to the Hearing Examiner's report, and the role of the Zoning Counsel. The County Council would consider it at this meeting.
Installment purchase of development rights on 62.98 acres of farmland at 2698 Jennings Chapel Road
The county would buy development rights on about 62.98 acres of agricultural land from the Eugene A. Freeze Revocable Trust through a multi-year installment agreement, capping the price at $2,363,100 or $37,520 per acre. The council is considering this bill to approve and authorize the agreement.
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