The Terrasa Times
Jen Terrasa
Jen Terrasa's District 3 Newsletter
September 2016
Downtown Legislation

Upcoming Hearing on Downtown Affordable Housing and TIF Proposals
As you may already know, Downtown Columbia legislation is once again before us. And the Council still needs to hear from you! A special public hearing on proposed changes to the Downtown Columbia plan is scheduled for September 22, 2016 at 6pm.
There are two very different affordable housing proposals before the Council. My plan is simple. Calling for at least 15% affordable housing for all future Downtown residential development, my plan ensures that Downtown Columbia develops with a full spectrum of housing options as envisioned in the Downtown Columbia Plan.  My legislation provides flexibility, but ensures that when market rate units are built, so are affordable housing units, and it integrates units throughout the Downtown community.
In contrast, I believe the Administration/Developer proposal is overly complicated, giving the appearance of delivering a greater community benefit than the proposal actually provides.  It increases density by at least 900 residences (over the 5500 approved in 2010) with no actual limit on density, concentrates a majority of affordable units in low income housing tax credit projects, reduces the parking requirements, and binds the County to a 40-year agreement with Howard Hughes, in which the County commits not to change the applicable laws for that same time period.  To see a comparison of these plans, click here .
I am also concerned that along with their affordable housing proposal, the Administration and Developer are proposing Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for Downtown Columbia. While TIF financing does not necessarily have to be used to revitalize blighted or economically depressed areas, the test is whether or not the development would otherwise occur "but for" this extraordinary infusion of public financing. And, I believe it is a tool that should be used sparingly. Why are we being asked to use tax payer money to encourage development in Columbia? Downtown Columbia is a far cry from what I think of as blighted or economically depressed. While making Downtown Columbia more vibrant is a goal shared by many, we are selling ourselves short if we think we need huge of public subsidies to make this happen.
The Details:
Thursday, September 22 at 6:00 pm in the
Banneker Room at the George Howard Building
  • Speakers may address the legislation as a whole rather than each individual resolution/bill at this special hearing.
  • Each person will have up to five minutes to testify.
  • If an individual has already testified at a Downtown hearing, they will NOT be able to testify again at this hearing.
Come speak out about the competing development plans and learn more about the development process!
Update on Ellicott City
Cleanup and recovery efforts have been going strong in Ellicott City. Beginning Saturday, September 17th, Main Street will be open to credentialed pedestrians during daylight hours, and then open to the rest of the public on September 20th at 5 pm. 

If you are a resident or business owner who is in need of information or assistance, please call 410-313-2900 between the hours of 9 am - 4 pm. 

Historic Savage Mill Bicentennial Celebration

Historic Savage is celebrating its' 200 birthday on Saturday, September 17th from 12-4 pm! Free costumed history tours, live music, sidewalk sale, and a live broadcast from Mix 106.5. Fun for the whole family!

Free Hands-Only CPR Training

The Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue services is offering free hands-only CPR training 

September 20, 6-8pm 

6751 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 400, Columbia, MD 21046 


Howard County Farmers Markets

Howard County's farmers markets are still around until the end of fall! 

Robinson Nature Center 5 Year Anniversary

The Robinson Nature Center is celebrating their 5th Anniversary Open House! There will be live animal presentations, nature walks, crafts, shows, live music and more!

Sunday, September 18
12:00-5:00 pm
Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia

Rain Barrel Workshops

The Howard County Master Gardeners are distributing rain barrels and holding workshops to teach residents how to use them. 

Workshops are from 9 am-11 pm on the following Saturdays:

September 17
October 1
October 15

Open Streets Howard County 2nd Annual Kick Off Ceremony

Walk, bike, or run the Little Patuxent Loop and Downtown Columbia Trail for Open Streets Howard County's 2nd annual public demonstration event! Family fun and local vendors!

Saturday Oct. 1
10 am - 2 pm

Intersection of Little Patuxent Loop and Clary's Forest
or Downtown Columbia Trail

Columbia Association Movies and Events 
September 2016 Schedule

In the link below is the schedule of CA events throughout the month of September.

Click here for more information.
Jen Terrasa | County Council District 3 | (410) 313-2001 | JTerrasa@howardcountymd.gov |

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