Howard County zoning board approves rezoning of two undeveloped Columbia parcels

The Howard County Zoning Board on April 15 approved petition ZB1133M to rezone two undeveloped parcels at 9121 South Commerce Center Drive in Columbia from B2 (business general) to M1 (manufacturing light), citing consistency with the gateway master plan and the parcels’ long-term vacancy.

The hearing examiner, Miss Nichols, told the board the combined site totals 11.01 acres (Lot A-71: 5.5 acres; Lot A-73: 5.51 acres) and that technical staff and the gateway master plan had recommended light industrial, flex, and employment uses. "This is also not a site plan rezoning, so there is no site plan in front of you tonight," Nichols said, noting that no one testified in opposition and that civil engineer witnesses had appeared on behalf of Howard Research and Development Corporation.

The petitioner filed written exceptions to the hearing examiner’s report that were received April 15. Petition representative Joel Hurwitz told the board he would incorporate arguments from a related matter already on the record and focus on two new exceptions. Hurwitz pressed legal points about charter language governing the retention or employment of hearing examiners and challenged the hearing examiner’s invocation of laches, saying the record did not show the unreasonable delay or prejudice required for that doctrine. "Employ there means to make use of rather than to engage the services of," Hurwitz argued while urging the board to be cautious about adopting reasoning that could be carried forward in future cases.

Board members discussed land‑use fit and marketability. A member supporting approval said the use would likely bring commercial tax revenue and that retail is difficult to sustain on parcels lacking street visibility behind existing retail development. The board noted the property’s location behind the Snowden Square Shopping Center and observed that the gateway area is largely industrial and employment‑oriented.

A motion to approve ZB1133M was made and seconded. On roll call, Chair Youngman, Miss Walsh, and Miss Rigby voted yes; the motion passed. Staff said a written decision and order will be forthcoming, and the board adjourned.

The record includes written exceptions filed April 15 (the transcript references that filer as "mister Joel Horowitz"), and the petitioner’s on‑the‑record presentation was delivered by a speaker addressed in the meeting as Mr. Hurwitz (also referenced by the chair as "Joel" during the session). The board did not remand the matter for additional hearings and indicated its decision will be memorialized in the forthcoming written order.