Sun misfires in coverage of Howard housing plan

I was amazed to read the recent article regarding HoCo by Design in The Baltimore Sun (“Howard County HoCo By Design final version is now online for viewing,” Jan. 2).

Referencing a news release issued by county government, the story completely missed the significance of the plan, did not quote anyone by name and failed to provide important context. It underlined the almost nonexistent coverage of Howard County in The Sun.

The plan, which was approved by the Howard County Council on Oct. 11, lays out innovative new zoning proposals that would help combat the county’s most pressing land use problem: constantly rising home prices that are forcing middle and lower-income people to live elsewhere.

The proposals, like those in Montgomery and Anne Arundel counties, envision major changes in the single-family detached home zoning that has dominated county homebuilding for the past half-century.

These would allow smaller homes and more apartments, using more flexible designs that both respect existing neighborhoods, but also provide lower cost options like up to 6-unit apartment homes, clusters of smaller homes, stacked housing, small detached accessory homes formally called “Accessory Dwelling Units” and more.

But the plan is just a guide. For changes to actually take place, the council must approve changes to zoning laws which would come in the next round of comprehensive rezoning in about a year.

As a volunteer in the county’s age-friendly task force over the last several years, I have learned about the need for more affordable housing both for families and for seniors, which are the fastest-growing demographic in the county. The Sun article missed all of those points.