Howard County Council hears public testimony on Long Reach Village Center urban renewal and proposed land sale

The Howard County Council on Jan. 21 held a legislative public hearing on Council Resolution 161-2024, a concept approval for an urban renewal plan for Long Reach Village Center, and Council Resolution 162-2024, authorizing conveyance of approximately 7.71 acres at 8775 Cloudly Court to Columbia Concepts LLC. The hearing, held in the Banneker Room and streamed online, collected testimony from community organizations, residents and county staff ahead of a scheduled final legislative session on Feb. 3.

Supporters said the Columbia Concepts plan would bring housing, community services and retail to the village center. Brian Schefter, Deputy Chief of Staff for the county administration, told the council the proposal would include “a strong mix of for‑sale and for‑rent housing, townhomes and senior housing,” a senior center and a grocery store, and highlighted “a 100,000 square foot multi‑sport facility” and about “150,000 square feet of retail space.” Brian Kim, managing director of Columbia Concepts LLC, described the project, which the development team calls Destination Longreach, as including “more than 330 residential, rental and for sale…