CCD’s Response

• While we remain cautiously optimistic about the values and intentions that Mr. Hamm brings to GGP, we have not yet heard a complete plan.
• We are quite concerned that they are insisting on proposing 5500 new residential units, three to four times the size of Wilde Lake – a number which Ken Ulman, the County Executive, says is “ludicrous”.
• We will insist on specific safeguards to ensure that new density does not cause environmental, traffic, or quality of life degradation.

This month, GGP will be presenting its plan to the County in the form of a Zoning Regulation Amendment (ZRA) and a General Plan Amendment.

First stop will be the Department of Planning and Zoning, which will compare the proposals to the Framework document and may send various parts of them back to GGP if they do not meet the Framework’s minimal requirements. In addition, the staff will create Technical Reports which will provide DPZ’s approval or disapproval and any amendments they may suggest.

Then the Planning Board will hold public hearings and will provide their response.

Finally, the proposals go to the County Council, which will hold public hearings.

DPZ’s optimistic timetable has this process finalized next spring or summer.

"To build a better city is to work
at the heart of civilization."

Mort Hoppenfeld, designer of the Lakefront,
to whom “The Hug” sculpture is dedicated.

info@coalitionforcolumbiasdowntown.org