Public Invited To Give Feedback About Zoning Applications At 2 November Meetings

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — The Harford County Department of Planning and Zoning, along with the Planning Advisory Board, will host two public input meetings in November to gather citizens’ feedback on comprehensive zoning review applications received by the department.

The PAB, a five-member appointed citizen group, is responsible for reviewing each zoning application and providing a recommendation to the County Council, in addition to the department’s recommendation.

The meetings will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 4 at Aberdeen High School and Nov. 18 at Bel Air High School.

Representatives from the department of planning and zoning will be available before each meeting, starting at 6 p.m., to answer questions about the comprehensive zoning review process and help people with identifying zoning issues on a county map. Zoning determines permitted property uses including agricultural, residential, commercial and industrial classifications.

As required by the Harford County Code, a comprehensive zoning review occurs every eight years, allowing property owners to request changes to their property’s existing zoning designation. The department of planning and zoning received 66 applications for zoning changes during the 60-day application period, which started in June. Each application is reviewed by the department to ensure the owner’s request is consistent with the county’s land use plan. Recommendations will then be forwarded to the county executive for review before final submission to the County Council, anticipated in March 2025. The County Council then will hold public hearings before voting on each property under consideration.

Anyone who wants to speak during the events must sign up before the start of the meeting. Information about Harford County’s 2024/2025 Comprehensive Zoning Review, including FAQs outlining the process can be at https://www.harfordcountymd.gov/2001/2025-Comprehensive-Zoning-Review.