From wineries to windmills, the Howard County Council undertook to vote on a long list of big bills Thursday before starting the group's annual August recess. But one measure wasn't quite ripe, as it turned out.
The winery legislation wound up being tabled until Sept. 7 for consideration of more amendments, but the council approved several significant measures without any disputes on the final votes. No council member voted against any of the legislation.
Included were:
•Approval of adding a 107-acre farm in Woodbine to the county's Agricultural Preservation program, which will mean $3 million plus interest for Mario and Serafina Manarelli over the next two decades.
•A bill that allows the Harbin family farm stand to keep continue operating at Bethany Lane and Old Frederick Road as a conditional zoning use in a residential area. That 5-0 vote drew hearty applause from a crowd of Harbin family boosters.
•A measure approving the rental of 14 acres in the proposed Troy Hill Regional Park in Elkridge for a championship private tennis facility that will also become the site for future county high school graduations.
"This tennis facility will put Elkridge on the worldwide map for tennis," council Chairwoman Courtney Watson said. Watson, an Ellicott City Democrat, also represents Elkridge. An amendment guarantees that the facility will include "Elkridge" in the title.
•A zoning regulation change to include windmills and to regulate them. An amendment capped the height at 120 feet on parcels over 25 acres.
•Approval of plans to build a solar energy farm on the closed New Cut Road landfill to power nearby Worthington Elementary School.
•Approval of an agreement between the county and Camilla and Philip D. Carroll to allow development of 325 homes on 221 acres of their historic estate, Doughoregan Manor, and preservation of the rest. This was the final approval needed from county government for the long-discussed plan, though rezoning approved last week could be challenged in court by residents opposed to the agreement. The council added amendments ensuring that new homes would be single-family detached dwellings, among other protections for nearby residents.
"This is preservation of a national historic landmark," said Joseph Rutter, the Carrolls' representative. Doughoregan Manor is the nearly 300-year-old, 892-acre estate of Charles Carroll of Carrolton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Watson said the entire plan is a "far superior outcome from watching the property be hacked up" by piecemeal development under the former rural zoning.
But not everyone was satisfied.
"I believe the law should be followed," said Christina Delmont-Small, who said she'd personally like to see the zoning challenged in court. The Chateau Ridge Lake Community Association is considering that option.
The council also approved a package of bills and resolutions adjusting the growth control laws to fit the more urban redevelopment plan in the works for downtown Columbia over the next three decades.
If all that weren't enough, council members also approved a new housing allocation chart, which is another portion of growth control law altered by the Columbia rezoning, and a school enrollment projection chart that delays planning new projects in the Elkridge area in 2013 because of expected middle school crowding. The next meeting is Sept. 7.