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County projections show Havre de Grace Elementary over 110% capacity; council warned of limits on new dwelling approvals
Summary
Harford County enrollment projections presented to the Havre de Grace council show Havre de Grace Elementary operating at 111% capacity (599 students of capacity 542), triggering municipal adequate public facilities rules that limit approval of new dwelling units when elementary capacity exceeds 110%.
Jeff Goins, director of planning, presented Harford County Public Schools' 2025–2032 capacity and enrollment projections to the Havre de Grace City Council on Jan. 20.
Goins reported Havre de Grace Elementary's capacity at 542 students with current enrollment at 599 (111% of capacity) and said that under the city's Adequate Public Facilities ordinance the city cannot approve new dwelling units in subdivisions or multifamily developments when an elementary school's capacity exceeds 110% — unless adjacent school capacity can be used to meet adequacy tests. He noted Roy Williams Elementary, an adjacent school, had substantially lower utilization (cited as roughly 64%) and could be included in adequacy calculations.
Council members asked about redistricting and upcoming county school construction (a school in Bel Air is planned) and how those changes would affect boundaries and capacity. Goins said county enrollment data are updated annually (official data dated Sept. 30) and that the school system evaluates capacity at the building-permit stage (rather than simply on plan approvals) to avoid holding up development when permits are not yet submitted.
The report and ensuing questions framed council consideration of growth, permit issuance and the role adjacent-school capacity plays in meeting adequate facilities requirements.
