Zoning Board

• David Yungmann, Chair
• Liz Walsh, Vice Chair
• Opel Jones
• Deb Jung
• Christiana Rigby

1. A Petition to amend the Zoning Maps by rezoning a particular property (a piecemeal map amendment) is submitted by an owner of the property, the DPZ, or a member of the Zoning Board. 
2. After receiving a complete application, the DPZ produces a Technical Staff Report, which includes comments from County and State agencies, an evaluation and a recommendation on the proposal. 
3. The Planning Board then holds a public meeting on the Petition and makes a recommendation. Interested parties may comment on the proposal by testifying at the meeting.
4. Once the Planning Board meeting is scheduled, the Zoning Board Chair must hold a consultation meeting with the Board Administrator.
5. After the Planning Board Meeting, the Zoning Board shall hold a public Administrative Meeting.  The Zoning Board shall vote to keep the Petition or vote to forward the Petition to the Hearing Examiner.
6. After receiving the Planning Board recommendation and Technical Staff Report, a public hearing is held, at which the Petitioner and other interested parties may testify. 
7. After the public hearing, the Zoning Board or Hearing Examiner discuss and decide on the Petition at a Work Session.  Work Sessions are open to the public, but no more public comment may be received.
8. A written Decision and Order with the Zoning Board or Hearing Examiner's action is issued after the Work Session(s).

The Zoning Board or Hearing Examiner's decision is not final until the Decision and Order is signed. The Decision and Order may be appealed to the Howard County Circuit Court within 30 days after it is issued.

All Zoning Board hearings are held in the Banneker Room unless noted otherwise. For further information, please contact the Zoning Board Office at (410) 313-2395.

A Zoning Counsel is employed by the County Council on a part-time, contractual basis. The Zoning Counsel appears at all Zoning Board hearings concerning piecemeal zoning map amendments for the purposes of producing evidence and testimony in support of the comprehensive zoning classification of the property and to facilitate the compilation of a complete record. The Zoning Counsel may present evidence and witnesses, examine and cross-examine witnesses, and present argument, however, does not represent the County, is not a party to a case and does not have a right of appeal in connection with any case. The Zoning Counsel may advise citizens individually and is available to speak to any group regarding zoning procedures in Howard County, but cannot engage in the practice of law or render legal advice. 

All Exhibits must be submitted to councilboard@howardcountymd.gov 24 hours before the hearing.

The link below provides instructions for the test meeting (not required, but helpful).