What's next for Harford County? Some residents who came to Wednesday's input meeting on HarfordNEXT, the county's new twist on its master plan, seemed disappointed they were the ones being asked for the answer.
The first stage of the master plan update process drew at least 50 people to Harford Community College's Chesapeake Center dining room. Harford County Executive Barry Glassman and his new Planning and Zoning Director, Bradley Killian, who spearheaded the HarfordNEXT concept, were on hand to explain the event.
The administration hopes the "master plan for the next generation" will get input from residents, community leaders and other stakeholders in a more holistic way, with people providing input into six "themes."
HarfordNEXT also consolidates other element plans that have been on different timelines and will be more accessible online.
A few attendees Wednesday said they came just to see what the themes were about and what the county wants, and they were surprised there were no real presentations.
"This is not a Q and A session, really. This is our chance to get ideas back from you," Killian explained before the forum began. "This is your plan, so we need your ideas."
County employees were on hand to write down ideas and suggestions on large scratch pads. Those attending were also urged to "map your ideas" by putting color-coded stickers corresponding to the six themes on a map of community areas.
Joan Hamilton, an Abingdon resident, said she would probably use the online forum rather than the methods provided at the Chesapeake Center.
She said she was mostly concerned about traffic and the fact that "community input meetings have no teeth whatsoever."
Doris and Sam Fielder of Jarrettsville, who have a 400-acre dairy farm, said they were disappointed to hear county leaders promote ideas like Smart Growth and said they are worried about everything being government-controlled.
"We are interested in this not being Agenda 21," Doris Fielder said of HarfordNEXT, referring to an action plan suggested by the United Nations promoting sustainable development.
"We have lived here all our lives and most of these people have come in and they want to do everything, and that is a big upset for us," she said.
The six themes the county is looking at are growing with purpose, preserving heritage, economic vitality, mobility and connectivity, environmental stewardship and promoting healthy communities.
The public can also give input at http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/opentownhall. The county administration expects to have the plan completed by the end of the year, after which it must be adopted by the Harford County Council.