Howard County is in a hole when it comes to public facilities. Ask anyone. The groundswell of citizen complaints about inadequate roads, schools, emergency response, health facilities, even water pressure, is growing exponentially — right along with development. Increasingly large groups of frustrated and angry taxpayers feel their government is betraying them ("Citizen task force reviews pace of development and public facilities," April 28).
Both the General Plan and the Comprehensive Zoning Regulations of 2013 constitute laws which favor the development community. Of those responsible for these laws (the former administration, planning director and council), only four council members remain. Urge them to exercise their leadership and revisit the wisdom of approving both the unmanageable rate and the density that has put us in this infrastructure hole.
CR 89-2016 sets the housing unit allocations for 2019 forward without adoption of a new adequate public facilities ordinance or a decision on additional low income units in downtown Columbia. Delay of adoption of CR 89-2016 seems very much in order. When you are in a hole, stop digging!
To do otherwise is to ignore the warning signs. To do otherwise is to accept the diminishment of our quality of life, spelling disaster for Howard County residents — as well as for our elected officials.
Susan Garber, North Laurel