[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6476449,"mediaKeyId","5729983-1a2b2219e28e8c23a1c9cd7ff707ea97","parentId",5729983,"title","Howard County presents Gateway Master Plan to create 1,100‑acre innovation district; council raises traffic, brownfield and school capacity concerns","audioSeconds",3583,"startMs",2949000,"endMs",6532000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5729983-1a2b2219e28e8c23a1c9cd7ff707ea97&start=2949&end=6532","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5729983-1a2b2219e28e8c23a1c9cd7ff707ea97/thumbnail_2949000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6476449/Howard-County/Maryland/Howard-County-presents-Gateway-Master-Plan-to-create-1100acre-innovation-district-council-raises-traffic-brownfield-and-school-capacity-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476449-f3cbdf31f884fc7696aa06a045a192ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1770487035&Signature=jvASCkU3eZP8iQe6u3M2K5LeE6AqZuz~qCY8MvyKbD4fzTJqZpEtn7rmC76FuhyvvmYV9ZBM0UpgEOSr8CNpPhxW~lUtzWfz1u9vDfercUrbtuflao56VVqUCWj2NXvebIsacuPsbYkyAD-Fd8c5GISy~uRy1nCw4x488JgwYNIyctJI69KOUJcUNAaRE5hQ-j21qwB-vX9GeuTJT4UAHTTG9a6vsX9ntsmvJS-bNh5GbNpnxVDkV7hflv7MkH6pDq5OHE8g5~VRjSB4dLsIB6D97P2TStKgWfedAM55Y3lg38irDeLM69jdCWj2bX3SoZdz8vHEOr0r3HIB9WB5yA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Howard","date","2025-09-08T00:00:00Z","article","Howard County planning staff and a multidisciplinary consultant team presented the Gateway Master Plan to the Council at its September monthly meeting, outlining a long‑term vision to transform the 1,100‑acre Columbia Gateway area into a mixed‑use innovation district focused on cybersecurity, defense contracting, AI and supporting industries.

The plan — developed by county staff with consultants HOK (landscape/urban design) and Stiletto (market/placemaking) — frames Gateway around an interconnected open‑space network, a central “Woonerf” shared street spine, nodes for higher intensity development, a re‑use of a 3.1‑mile CSX rail corridor as a multimodal path, and a proposed new vehicular access point from Maryland 175. Mary Kendall, deputy director of planning, described the concept: “The Gateway Innovation District will be a major hub for cybersecurity, defense, technology, artificial intelligence, quantum, and other emerging industries that offer residents and visitors a connected, vibrant, and thriving community in which to live, work, and play.”

Market and fiscal highlights: county consultants estimate Gateway could accommodate 4,700 to 8,100 new jobs and 4,500 to 6,600 new multifamily units over about 30 years. Two fiscal scenarios the county commissioned showed that net operating general fund revenues could range from roughly $70 million (lower‑growth scenario) to about $112 million (higher‑growth scenario) over a steady‑state horizon; the analyses excluded capital infrastructure costs and relied on multiple assumptions about build‑out and timing.

Zoning, heights and public benefits: the plan proposes new zoning approaches (overlay, incentive, performance or form‑based tools), encourages taller buildings along major roads (up to roughly 250 feet in limited locations) and suggests density bonuses in exchange for public benefits such as additional publicly accessible open space, affordable housing or higher sustainability standards.

Open space and mobility: the plan calls for a linear park enhancing the Columbia Gateway Drive loop, urban plazas at activity nodes, and a CSX multimodal corridor intended to link Gateway to adjacent neighborhoods and commercial centers. Planners envision a transportation demand management program, micro‑mobility and potential transit options along a proposed transitway connecting the southern Woonerf to the CSX corridor.

Council concerns: several councilmembers raised immediate implementation questions. Councilmember Young pressed planners on traffic: she said a large build‑out will put more residents and employees into an existing bottleneck on I‑95 (in the Route 32/Route 100 corridor) and asked how the plan accounts for regional highway impacts. She also noted that roughly 27% of Gateway has environmental restrictions or brownfields and requested more detail on the nature and constraints of those sites before approving zoning changes that might allow residential development adjacent to legacy industrial parcels.

School capacity was another frequent concern. Planners presented several student‑generation scenarios — multifamily yields ranging from 0.04 to 0.19 students per unit and “missing‑middle” townhome yields near 0.51 students per unit — and said school‑specific impacts will require coordination with the Board of Education at the rezoning stage. The plan notes that some urban school prototypes (compact vertical designs, rooftop play areas, shared recreation) could be explored if school siting is needed.

Next steps: the council moved to continue detailed review. Staff recommended formation of a phased infrastructure financing plan, exploration of public‑private partnership models for open‑space delivery and early coordination with state agencies (SHA, Maryland Aviation Administration) on access point location and on building heights near flight paths.

Ending: planners said the draft will go through a public hearing and work session process; several councilmembers asked staff to provide more granular maps of brownfields, a property‑owner map, and a traffic analysis showing projected impacts on I‑95 and nearby state routes before any rezoning is considered.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Howard - Monthly Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","County planners presented a legislative draft of the Gateway Master Plan proposing an 'innovation district' on 1,100 acres with new open‑space networks, nodes, transit connections and zoning tools. Council members questioned traffic impacts on I‑95, environmental constraints on brownfields and school capacity assumptions.","taxTitle","Howard County, Maryland","taxId",13634,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6476454,"Council reviews Banneker Room renovation plans; members press for sight lines, ADA access and AV trials",1820,2857000,4677000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5729983-1a2b2219e28e8c23a1c9cd7ff707ea97&start=2857&end=4677","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5729983-1a2b2219e28e8c23a1c9cd7ff707ea97/thumbnail_2857000.jpg","/articles/6476454/Howard-County/Maryland/Council-reviews-Banneker-Room-renovation-plans-members-press-for-sight-lines-ADA-access-and-AV-trials","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476454-a5dc00f38f582cbef000a7720e15f52b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770487035&Signature=lkDe6DTVCLtMuVt~Jye5lVE2Gram3UTtB6JZfOei1QNlUcDlwtA-ccilLHBUMi3perftZULGh0i8weQRigg-fSSTl1XW~hqX-z~1iUPfuB0~51iUxsd1j6CGzuNB5sQgrBEASqs-QyBMk3VSKN9d6Tk75QB1UpDxKA7fBP8mmLdwKdRF6ukHnxE~uoNVa~wuHuFI090ZslD4hGsRnnHCZqMIVu1bb-0ghR7ZOUqPphylMRImboTZi-p3xHtrimx1s0MveVSQNZJ6lh3oN96LjOEjLIYC9TWs92-KhptBu2K3NKQikSWXGNhSRShW~IK~dHjqM0oqsce-OWU9G~uuYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Howard County officials and design consultants presented updated plans for the Banneker Room renovation during the council’s September meeting, outlining changes to the dais, audiovisual upgrades and an installation timeline dependent on procurement of long‑lead AV components.

The presentation was led by Zach Kullenbeck (project representative) and Krista Carrigan of Michael Graves Architecture. Carrigan described the primary goals: “to expand the dais so that it's larger to accommodate more people upfront, but also to provide ADA accessibility,” and to update lighting, audiovisual systems and flooring.

The renovation will replace the existing stepped dais with a reconfigured unit that includes a ramp for ADA access, electronic nameplates, base‑station tablets with microphones at each seat and improved broadcast cameras and lighting. Carrigan said the team is exploring LED screens to improve visibility for the audience and better camera calibration for diverse on‑screen appearances.

Schedule and budget: the design team said delivery depends on lead times for AV equipment; they are aiming for permit submission by mid‑October with a potential installation window in December or January. The project budget referenced by staff and consultants was approximately $700,000 (design, AV and construction contingencies included); the design team said the figure also covers consultants and AV configuration.

Councilmembers pressed the team on sight lines and dais geometry. Councilmember David said the new design “is just twice as big” but questioned whether the change would address the council’s primary goal: being able to see one another around the dais. He and other members asked to revisit a prior, more u‑shaped option and requested a site visit to see a similar installation before finalizing design choices.

The design team offered to schedule a tour of Laurel’s recently completed installation (their consultant has implemented a similar technology solution there) and to bring back revised drawings. Project manager Bill Brown and Krista Carrigan agreed to confirm AV lead times and to submit permit drawings in a timeline that would preserve a December installation if council preferences can be resolved quickly.

Ending: Councilmembers asked staff to arrange the site visit for members, to circulate the alternate drawing set shown at the April meeting and to confirm whether any changes would affect the proposed December construction window.","Design team presented schematics to widen the dais, add ADA access, and modernize AV and lighting. Councilmembers asked for revised sight‑line options, a technology site visit and confirmation of schedule and budget.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6476459,"MACo warns of growing fiscal pressure on counties; flags education blueprint and housing costs",2605,206000,2811000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5729983-1a2b2219e28e8c23a1c9cd7ff707ea97&start=206&end=2811","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5729983-1a2b2219e28e8c23a1c9cd7ff707ea97/thumbnail_206000.jpg","/articles/6476459/Howard-County/Maryland/MACo-warns-of-growing-fiscal-pressure-on-counties-flags-education-blueprint-and-housing-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476459-0c7b0caa0f5effdf704b3ad865d7f1f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770487035&Signature=nKdrWOJpPE0eT2M5pF6Dg1x1iCQpWfIQOCCOsj6WQ5hRjYRZZJpYw56HQFMA3UMxd0GmsASzRKb~CBCf6ZU7GL0ugJPwW72qaKiF0lTI388pJvRJbEL81ISKrSGgOErfVKDUhm4uJ60X3Mw29dBke8fmg68GJDtSQwzy3vatDg2kWy5UtU0BCbV72sDdM2c6TfBASQ7yG1XmkRxLEBTtMQVfWdYcMu44ygTejFFwzV9L~jhA3icQpsiWnst62Wernzynt1jucve94EbPYAMk1KEXGVfvMbunO0dSNwTuwqEUJKTfSiwVrgDBZ0kIbMwZFpWRGI88SY6lW2k9BHPIBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Michael Sanderson, director of the Maryland Association of Counties, told the Howard County Council at its September monthly meeting that counties face rising fiscal uncertainty driven by federal budget shifts, undone assumptions in Maryland’s education funding plan and a statewide shortage of housing.

Sanderson said the region’s proximity to the federal government is no longer an unalloyed stabilizer for local budgets and that the state’s 10‑year education plan, the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, has left counties carrying unplanned costs. “The federal government contributing to current uncertainty is kind of a new thing for us,” Sanderson said. He warned the county that the state’s Education Trust Fund — which helped pre‑pay parts of the blueprint — will be drawn down by FY 2028, forcing more costs into the general fund.

Why this matters: county leaders said shifts of obligations from Annapolis already are significant and recurring. Council members pressed MACo to quantify the aggregate effect of “state shifts” such as teacher pension invoicing, election costs and other mandates that counties now pay. County officials said those shifts affect budgeting for schools, public health, public safety and capital projects.

Sanderson summarized three priorities for counties: contend with fiscal and federal uncertainty; monitor how the blueprint’s phased funding aligns with real costs; and confront a housing shortage that has raised prices and constrained supply. He said the state used a mix of new revenues and accounting changes to smooth the most recent budget cycle but warned deeper problems could reappear if revenues soften.

Council members amplified the local impact. Councilmember Deb said specific state‑to‑county shifts this year — including pension and assessment administration charges — cost Howard County “approximately $8,000,000.” She also listed recent county items that she called unfunded mandates, including body‑worn camera costs and expanded election training and signage, and asked MACo to begin compiling a consolidated list of shifts and mandates for advocacy in Annapolis.

Sanderson also highlighted the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. He said the program was largely funded early by a dedicated Education Trust Fund — financed in part by casino proceeds — but that trust fund payments will decline and the state will need to pay a larger share from the general fund beginning in FY 2028. That change, he said, will complicate the 2027 legislative session and could bring more pressure on counties as state leaders look for budget solutions.

On housing, Sanderson said Maryland is short of housing units relative to demand and that state leaders are preparing initiatives to accelerate development on state‑owned land and coordinate permitting. He described a potential tension between faster approvals and preserving robust local public participation on land‑use decisions.

On energy and economic growth, Sanderson and other speakers said generation and transmission capacity are becoming constraints. Sanderson warned that growth in data centers and artificial‑intelligence workloads is driving spikes in electricity demand that existing models did not anticipate. He said transmission upgrades and siting decisions will be central to whether Maryland can attract energy‑intensive investment.

The MACo delegation closed by urging a shared, two‑year advocacy strategy to resist additional unfunded state shifts and to press for clearer, predictable funding for shared responsibilities.

Ending: Council members thanked the delegation and asked MACo to supply the county with more detailed, itemized numbers on state shifts, and to quantify both one‑time and recurring costs so Howard County can refine its 2026–2027 budget planning.","At the Howard County Council's September monthly meeting, Michael Sanderson of the Maryland Association of Counties warned of fiscal uncertainty tied to federal and state budget shifts, the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future funding timeline, and housing shortages that will keep pressure on counties' budgets.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Howard County presents Gateway Master Plan to create 1,100‑acre innovation district; council raises traffic, brownfield and school capacity concerns

Council reviews Banneker Room renovation plans; members press for sight lines, ADA access and AV trials

MACo warns of growing fiscal pressure on counties; flags education blueprint and housing costs