Columbia's Future Growth Guided By New Task Force

COLUMBIA, MD — A task force has been created by Howard County leaders to bring together community members, industry professionals and planning experts to recommend zoning updates in Columbia New Town.

The development plan, HoCo By Design, outlines a 20-year vision for the growth and development of Columbia. Several components of the plan already have been implemented.

The New Town Task Force will focus on evaluating the New Town Zoning District, created in 1965, and its defining features, to ensure the county’s regulatory framework remains flexible, effective and aligned with long-term community goals.

“The New Town Task Force is a vital component to ensuring the Columbia of tomorrow is informed by a community-first approach,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball in a statement. “By preserving Columbia’s unique character as we plan for thoughtful growth, we’re setting the foundation for a more sustainable and predictable future while preserving the things that make Columbia one of the best places in America to live, work, play, grow and thrive for all.”

The task force will evaluate present regulations, found in Section 125 of the Howard County Zoning Code, and develop recommendations for improving the new town zoning model that governs land use in much of the master-planned community of Columbia. The task force will provide feedback on key elements of new town zoning.

“This is an opportunity to modernize a zoning structure that has shaped new town for decades,” said Lynda Eisenberg, director of planning and zoning for Howard County. “By engaging the community and drawing from the bold vision of HoCo By Design, we’re setting the stage for a zoning system that supports smart growth, protects what makes Columbia special, and ensures we remain a vibrant, inclusive, and forward-thinking county.”