So far, our office has published eight Waiver Wednesdays in the past two months covering D1 and beyond:

Our first Waiver Wednesday profiled our office's CB54-2022, which would've repealed exemptions that allowed cutting into our steepest, wooded slopes and intruding on wetlands, streams, or floodplains in the four-square-mile watershed that drains down into our old mill town. That is, the bill was set to do that until several amendments came in putting all those exemptions back into County code. Read more here.

Next came a Waiver Wednesday about a request to cut down Big Trees at proposed Lawyer's Hill Overlook in historic Elkridge. We called on residents to send emails to the three department heads who decide whether to grant these waiver requests and got a temporary delay — the Directors asked for the developer to provide more information and resubmit their request at a later date. Read more here.

Week 3 centered on proposed Mitchell Greens on Church Road in Ellicott City, where the developer asked to waive a required 100' of vegetation that's a requirement for scenic roads. In its entirety. Not less than. Not this kind of access way, or that. They just wanted that whole section of County code to not apply to them. We said no and — this time — the Department of Planning & Zoning agreed. That waiver was denied. Read more here.

For three weeks, we focused on a Board of Appeals case that's the start of potentially turning historic Brown's Motel into as many as 115 age-restricted housing units. On 2.6 acres. Backing right up to long-established trails in Patapsco Valley State Park. Even though the Board ruled against us, we were happy to see so many neighbors at hearings speaking up. You can read more here, here, and here.

Then came the Lyhus Property on Lime Kiln Road in D4 Fulton that's the subject of CR10, focused on water and sewer. There's a joke-ton of waivers here. Like a we-can't-even-look-at-this-thing-directly amount of waivers. Wetlands, streams, forest, floodplains galore. Read more here.

A few weeks ago, we featured properties who've already gotten letters from the Department of Recreation & Parks "expressing an interest to enter into negotiations... to purchase all of the property." Like the nearly eight acres' woods and ephemeral stream's headwaters that make up the Lacey Property on Church Road. Read more here.

Council Calendar

Tonight at 7 PM — Legislative Session to consider January legislation

Monday, February 13th at 9:30 AM — Joint Meeting with Council and newly elected Board of Education

Tuesday, February 21st at 7 PM — Public Hearing for February legislation

Monday, February 27th at 9:30 AM — Work Session for February legislation

Monday, March 6th at 7 PM — Legislative Session for February legislation

Click here to watch Council meetings live.

Click here for more information on how you can sign up to testify on February legislation at the Council's next public hearing.

The Planning Board currently has no members who live in D1. If you want to make a difference and see a change, apply please for a D1 spot on this important citizen land-use board. To learn more about what's needed in your application, click here.

Upcoming D1 Development Meeting

Wednesday, March 8th at 5:30 PM — The Hearing Examiner will decide whether to allow the Maryland International School to expand at 6135 Old Washington Road in Elkridge.

This meeting will be held in the Banneker Room at the George Howard Building. You can participate in-person or virtually via WebEx. To learn more about the case and how you can participate, click here.

Howard County Lynching Truth & Reconciliation is starting off the new year with a look at local Black history in the decades leading up to the Civil War. Historian Marlena Jareaux will be leading a talk at the Miller Branch this Thursday, February 9th from 12:30-2 PM. Masks are required for in-person attendance, but you can also attend via WebEx. For more information and the link to register, click here.

Get Invasives Off Our D1 Trees!

Wanna save some trees in the old Ellicott City watershed? Here’s your big chance, Vine Eyes. You can join Rec & Parks employees at the hillside below D1's Patapsco Female Institute to clear invasive wisteria vines that are taking over the area. It's all happening on Saturday, February 25th from 9 AM to noon. Tools and training will be provided by the experts, so all you need to do is sign up here.

Scouts Visit the Council!

Over the past few months, our office hosted packs from Veterans Elementary, Glen Mar Church, and Northfield Elementary to talk about public service, top priorities for D1, and everything they wanted to know about being a Councilmember. If you've got a youth group that would be interested in learning more about our D1 office, reach out to [email protected]. We're always willing to schedule a meeting! Next, we'll be welcoming Pack 432 from Elkridge Elementary to tonight's February legislative session.