Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.
The Howard County Planning Board met on October 22, 2026, at 12:15 PM, in-person and virtually. The meeting began with the establishment of a quorum, approval of the agenda, and adoption of the October 1, 2026 meeting minutes. The board then addressed two major agenda items: the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) FY 2028 Capital Budget and a quasi-judicial hearing for PB 464 Selby Estates, LLC.
HCPSS FY 2028 Capital Budget: Dan Lubley, Executive Director of Capital Planning and Construction, presented the school system's proposed state capital projects for FY 2028. The state target funding allocation is approximately $14.5 million, a decrease of about $10 million from FY 2027. Four projects were proposed: Dunloggin Middle School renovation and addition, roof projects at Ilchester Elementary and Hollyfield Station Elementary, and a roof and envelope project at Long Reach High School. Board member Mr. Cecil expressed frustration with the timeline (projects already submitted to the state on October 6, before this review), lack of alignment with the General Plan (Hoco by Design), insufficient funding for new schools to serve planned growth, and delays in the P3 study. He noted that the budget only addresses deferred maintenance, not new capacity needed for increased density called for in the General Plan. The board voted 3-0-1 (3 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention) to recommend an unfavorable recommendation to the County Council, citing inconsistency with Policy PS1 (identifying school sites meeting student population needs) as the projects focus on deferred maintenance rather than new schools for growth.
PB 464 Selby Estates (Quasi-Judicial Hearing): The petitioner, Selby Estates LLC (represented by Joseph Rutter and engineer Paul Sill), seeks to subdivide a 60-acre farm in Tier 3 (Rural Residential) into 14 residential lots, one buildable preservation parcel, and three non-buildable preservation parcels. Staff presentation (Derek Jones) detailed the environmental review: the site contains wetlands, streams, floodplains, and steep slopes; alternative compliance was approved to construct a shared driveway with a box culvert crossing a stream; 4 of 150 specimen trees will be removed (mitigated by planting 8 trees); forest conservation will be met on-site via easements. The sole criterion for the Planning Board under Senate Bill 236 is potential environmental issues or natural resources inventory. The applicant argued that environmental features have been maximally protected. Board members asked about driveway alternatives and tree removal locations. The board found the layout preserves environmental features to the extent possible given density, and unanimously approved PB 464.
This webinar is being recorded and summarized. Thanks. I was just waiting for the voice. Well, welcome everybody to the October 2nd, 2026 Howard County Planning Board meeting. We ask for your patience as we try to conduct this meeting in person and virtually. If virtual, please speak clearly into your phone or computer microphone. If you are experiencing technical issues, please send an email to Planning Board at Howard County MD.gov, which is monitored during this meeting. And with that, we're going to establish a quorum, please. Mr. Cecil. I'm here. Ms. Mosier? Here. And Mr. Gotse. Here. Thank you. We have a quorum. All right. And then with that, moving to the agenda, do I hear a motion about the agenda? I move to approve the meeting agenda. All right. Motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. All right. All right. And then we are mostly caught up on our meeting minutes. Uh so if we can get a motion to approve the minutes of our last meeting. I move that the recording of the WebEx virtual meeting of the Howard County Planning Board's October 1st, 2026 meeting be adopted as the board's approved minutes. Aye. Perfect. And then with that, I do not have any items to discuss. I have no items to discuss this evening. Thank you. Sounds good. Then with that, first up is the Howard County Capital Budget. And then I believe we have presentation from staff. Mr. Lubly. Thank you, Ms. Kenny. Good evening,