The Columbia Association's plan to turn Symphony Woods into a park needs some fine-tuning, according to county government officials, who have asked for revisions that are likely to delay the project's completion beyond 2012.
The county Department of Planning and Zoning has given CA about five dozen requests, suggestions and questions that it must complete with a revised plan by Jan. 22.
Most of the comments had to do with enhancing Symphony Woods' relationship to Merriweather Post Pavilion, the concert venue it encircles.
"We're working through the comments," Jan Clark, CA's project manager, said on Thursday, Dec. 15. The county's letter is dated Dec. 8.
New development in downtown Columbia goes through two processes: the final development plan process, which is akin to conceptual plans that provide an overall vision for a neighborhood and include design guidelines; and the site development plan process, which is for a specific project within the neighborhood and includes details such as the building's footprint.
CA's submission was for the final development plan. Planning and zoning staff and other county departments reviewed it using the criteria within the zoning regulations, the Downtown Columbia Plan and the Downtown-wide Design Guidelines. If the relevant elements of those criteria are incorporated within the plan, then it can move on to the county's Planning Board.
It is not unusual for a development plan to go through more than one review with county staff to ensure that the plan complies with regulations, according to Kimberley Flowers, the zoning department's deputy director.
Still, the request for changes probably will affect when the new park opens.
Months ago, Clark had said construction on the initial phase could begin in early July 2012 and be nearly complete by the end of the year. Those dates likely will now be pushed back, she said.
Merriweather worries
The neighborhood in which the park would be includes both Symphony Woods and Merriweather Post Pavilion.
With that in mind, county staff noted that the park should have a better relationship with Merriweather, including having an access point not only for maintenance vehicles and deliveries to enter the park, but for the pavilion as well.
CA should also consider whether people attending concerts will remain on the park's pathways, and how any changes to the pavilion's entrance could have an effect on a proposed café in the park, according to the zoning department.
"The majority of the comments have to do with our relationship to Merriweather," Clark said.
Other items on the county's response involve bicycle routes, pathway connections and adding more details to sections of the plan.
This was the second time CA submitted its final development plan to the county. The first time was in July, with comments returned to the association in September. Most of those comments also related to cohesiveness between the park and the pavilion.
"The downtown plan brings with it a new process for review and approval. We're finding out all about the new process, the level of information that's required," Clark said.
CA wants to turn the largely wooded 40-acre property from underused land downtown to a vibrant park amid a growing Columbia. Construction for the first phase would be on 16.7 acres on the north section of the land and would include walkways, an entry plaza from Little Patuxent Parkway, a small amount of additional parking and a central gathering area.
Additional ideas for later phrases include adding a fountain, restrooms, a stage, a café and a pathway around the rest of Symphony Woods.
Clark said the park's design team will modify its plans and coordinate with the Howard Hughes Corporation, which owns Merriweather Post Pavilion.