Virtual Public Workshops To Highlight Complete Streets Design

Ellicott City MD

13 October, 2021

4:48 PM

Description

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Officials with Howard County have completed a draft of their Complete Streets Design Manual and offers several community engagement opportunities for residents and businesses to provide feedback. The Complete Streets Implementation Team will host two virtual public workshops Thursday, Oct. 14, and again Oct. 21. The design manual is a technical document that guides the design of Howard County streets and will now include national best practices and context-appropriate Complete Streets concepts. "I highly encourage community members to learn about the Complete Streets Design Manual update," Howard County Office of Transportation Administrator Bruce Gartner said. "The county is doing everything it can to be transparent in its transportation planning efforts, inclusive and engaging of all members of the public, and responsive to all community input in our projects, plans, and guidance. This is the county's next major step in implementing our Complete Streets policy, which will help ensure we are providing safe, accessible and reliable streets for all." The first workshop this Thursday from 7 to 8 p.m. will provide an overview of the county's Complete Streets approach to street design. It will be available on Webex and streamed on Facebook by Howard County government. The second workshop Oct. 21 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. will offer a technical overview of the updates to the design manual and will be of most interest to professionals who use the design manual on a regular basis, the county noted. Materials for this workshop will be posted to the project website in mid-October and should be reviewed prior to the event. The second workshop will be held on Webex only. Questions from the public concerning the design manual can be submitted here and will be answered at the workshops. Additional details about the workshops and how to participate are available here. The public also can provide feedback on the draft design manual now through Oct. 28 via an online survey. The final version of the design manual will be presented to County Council for consideration in December. "The complete streets policy and the design manual will guide Howard County's planning for years and generations to come," Jennifer White, senior policy and community engagement Officer at the Horizon Foundation. "This is a critical step that will move us closer toward a vision where residents will be able to walk, bike and access public transit safely, easily and comfortably. We encourage residents of all abilities to provide public input and express support for streets for all." In October 2019, the county adopted the Complete Streets policy.