Draft Chapter: Quality By Design

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

Over the coming year, the goal of the HoCo By Design project team is to release draft planning theme chapters one at a time for community review and feedback.

The second planning theme chapter is Quality By Design: Respecting and Prioritizing Community Character.

The policies presented in each chapter are draft statements based on data, best practices, and community feedback received to date. In May, the project team sought feedback from the community--at public meetings and through the Quality By Design Comment Form Survey--to further refine draft policies.

Scroll down for more information to:

Read About Quality By Design


The Quality By Design chapter of the General Plan celebrates the rich and varied character of Howard County's built and natural environs. Recommendations aim to preserve character in future developments and adopt design standards that are context sensitive for different areas and development opportunities. Historic resource preservation is emphasized as an important contributor to community character and tradition.
Watch a Meeting Recording to Learn More

Watch a recording of the Quality By Design Meeting and read the accompanying presentation to learn more about the draft chapter!



Reference Materials:

For additional reference, the following materials provide context and linkages between the draft Quality By Design chapter and other elements of the draft Plan:

  • The draft Introduction Chapter describes how HoCo By Design builds upon the County’s current General Plan and sets a broad vision for the next 20 years, including a central focus on advancing equity throughout the Plan.
  • The draft Character Areas & Future Land Use Map (FLUM) generally depicts intended land use for areas throughout the County and describes each Character Area’s unique and discernable purpose, design, and feel.

Over the coming year, the goal of the HoCo By Design project team is to release draft planning theme chapters one at a time for community review and feedback.

The second planning theme chapter is Quality By Design: Respecting and Prioritizing Community Character.

The policies presented in each chapter are draft statements based on data, best practices, and community feedback received to date. In May, the project team sought feedback from the community--at public meetings and through the Quality By Design Comment Form Survey--to further refine draft policies.

Scroll down for more information to:

Read About Quality By Design


The Quality By Design chapter of the General Plan celebrates the rich and varied character of Howard County's built and natural environs. Recommendations aim to preserve character in future developments and adopt design standards that are context sensitive for different areas and development opportunities. Historic resource preservation is emphasized as an important contributor to community character and tradition.
Watch a Meeting Recording to Learn More

Watch a recording of the Quality By Design Meeting and read the accompanying presentation to learn more about the draft chapter!



Reference Materials:

For additional reference, the following materials provide context and linkages between the draft Quality By Design chapter and other elements of the draft Plan:

  • The draft Introduction Chapter describes how HoCo By Design builds upon the County’s current General Plan and sets a broad vision for the next 20 years, including a central focus on advancing equity throughout the Plan.
  • The draft Character Areas & Future Land Use Map (FLUM) generally depicts intended land use for areas throughout the County and describes each Character Area’s unique and discernable purpose, design, and feel.
Page last updated: 07 Jul 2022, 08:54 AM