Plan Howard 2030

What's Your Plan for Howard in 2030?

The next General Plan seeks to create a sustainability framework for enhancing our economy, environment and quality of life. This process dates back to the 1960's, when the first General Plan was adopted with periodic updates to continually align policies and actions with the challenges and opportunities of the time. Now, you're needed to help shape a shared vision for the County's future.

Welcome from County Executive Ken Ulman

Where We Are

Phase 4, Spring 2012: County Council Considers Draft Plan
Press Release
After the Planning Board's review and recommendations, the proposed General Plan is submitted as legislation for consideration by the County Council. The legislative process involves introduction of the General Plan as a Council Bill (CB-26-2012), a public hearing for citizen testimony, work sessions that may be requested by the Council and final consideration of the plan.

Phase 3, Spring 2012: Preliminary Draft Plan
Press Release
The County's Planning Board will hold a public hearing to obtain citizen testimony on the plan. Prior to the hearing, the Board will host a series of open houses across the County to introduce the plan, answer questions and solicit public input. The Board will provide its recommendations on the plan to the County Council for final review and approval.

Phase 2, Summer 2011 - Winter 2012: Alternative Actions and Draft Plan Recommendations

The adopted guidelines identify key issues the County will address in the General Plan. Staff will investigate alternative approaches, policies and actions. In the fall, the General Plan Task Force will meet to provide advice on policy and strategy alternatives, as well as implementation priorities.

Phase 1, Spring - Summer 2011: Plan Guidelines
Adopted Guidelines

Updating the County’s General Plan begins with developing Guidelines for studying the many challenges and opportunities that will influence how Howard evolves over the next 20 years. A citizen Task Force has been convened to provide advice. The County’s Planning Board will hold public meetings on the draft Guidelines and the final Guidelines are reviewed and adopted by the County Council.
Task Force Announcement | Members

General Plan

PlanHoward 2030 is an update of the 2000 Howard County General Plan. The release of the adopted plan follows several months of Task Force and Planning Board discussion of topics that are critical to the County's future. The plan was adopted by the County Council during its July 2012 legislative session.

To access the plan, please open the following CB26-2012 link.

Adopted PlanHoward 2030
PlanHoward 2030 Fiscal Impact Analysis
Adopted addendums to General Plan 2000:
Water Resources Element
Downtown Columbia Plan


What's New


General Plan Growth Tiers Amendment
An ACT amending PlanHoward 2030, the general plan for Howard County, by defining Growth Tiers, as required by The Sustainable Growth and Agricultural Preservation Act of 2012 (Maryland Senate Bill 236); specifying additional designated place types to correspond with the Growth Tiers.

Planning Board GPA 2012-1 Meeting
Thursday, October: 7:00 pm
Columbia-Ellicott Room
3430 George Howard Building, Ellicott City