While no one knows what Harford County will look like in the future, County Executive Barry Glassman's administration wants to build excitement around what it calls "a master plan for the next generation."
Dubbed HarfordNEXT, the project aims to be a more consolidated, streamlined and user-friendly approach to the regularly-scheduled master plan process. State law requires counties to update their master plans at least once a decade.
"It just made sense to start fresh with a comprehensive approach to planning," administration spokesperson Cindy Mumby said Monday.
Appearing before the County Council at its April 7 session, Glassman and Planning and Zoning Director Bradley Killian explained how HarfordNEXT will combine individual element plans that are often on different timelines and provide more diverse opportunities for public feedback, "in one concise document."
"The thinking here is that this is sort of the evolution of planning. It's an evolution probably back to how things were done 25 years ago. It's a thematic approach," Killian told the council, noting that residents do not just think about one issue in their communities, but about how all their concerns – parks, schools, roads – are integrated.
The master plan, which helps shape county legislation regulating zoning and development, will follow a process that is "inclusive and transparent," Glassman said.
The plan will focus on six "themes:" growing with purpose, economic vitality, environmental stewardship, preserving Harford's heritage, mobility and connectivity and promoting healthy communities.
Although it will create a map of Harford's future through 2035, the plan would be revisited again in another 10 years.
The administration is launching an online public forum this week and scheduling a community input meeting on the master plan for April 29, planner Shane Grimm said.
Community advisory board meetings on the plan are set for this summer. The entire plan is expected to take a year to finish.
The online public forum can also be accessed directly by computer, phone or other mobile device via http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/opentownhall. Feedback provided online will inform county planners as they draft HarfordNEXT. Forum topics will also change periodically to promote related discussions.
Public input for HarfordNEXT can also be sent via email to P&ZHarfordNext@harfordcountymd.gov, by calling 410-879-2000 or by mail to the Department of Planning & Zoning, 220 S. Main St., Bel Air, MD 21014.
The April 29 public education and input meeting will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Chesapeake Center dining hall on the campus of Harford Community College. Glassman will offer opening remarks about HarfordNEXT, followed by an overview of the process by planning director Killian. Attendees will then be invited to share their feedback in roundtable discussions led by county planners.
The Department of Planning and Zoning will also be reaching out to the newly established community advisory boards to arrange presentations where practicable. All citizens are welcome to attend the CAB meeting in their area: http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/CAB/.
Glassman said the administration has filmed some public service announcements with the help of Harford Cable Network and plans to do more advertising in print and on social media.
"We want it to have that cutting-edge look to it also," he added.
Glassman also said he wants to get community input "on the front end" so the council chambers will not be filled with people saying they did not know how the county would be growing in the future.
"For me, it's exciting, and I think it'll be exciting for you because it will be one of those things you get to do during this term that will shape the future of Harford County," he told the council.
Killian added the project has meant "all hands on deck" at the planning department.
"This is a big deal and it's a big plan and it's a big undertaking," he said. "It is an opportunity for us to do what we do best, which is go out and engage communities and get their input and see how they want to see the county evolve over the next couple of decades."
Expected to be at least one year in development, HarfordNEXT will be subject to final approval by the Harford County Council.
Council President Dick Slutzky pointed out the master plan is not enforceable by law, although it is a "vision and a guide."
For more information on HarfordNext, click the HarfordNEXT button on the homepage of the county website www.harfordcountymd.gov.