Community Planning & Grants

Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard Designated Floodplain/Wetland

Public Comment Period: March 28, 2025 – April 12, 2025

To: All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals

This is to give notice that Howard County, Maryland (the County) under 24 CFR Part 58 has determined that the following proposed action under its HOME-American Rescue Plan Grant Program is located in the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain / wetland, and the County will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the action within the floodplain/wetland and the potential impacts on the floodplain/wetland from the proposed action, as required by Executive Order 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690 and/or Executive Order 11990, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 in Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands. The proposed project location is 9530 Lynn Buff Court in Laurel, Howard County, Maryland. The extent of the FFRMS floodplain was determined using the 0.2 percent flood approach.

The proposed project includes land acquisition and the construction of an approximately 1700 sf non-congregate shelter. The subject property encompasses 1.9 +/- acres and is bound to the north by an existing BGE transmission line right of way. The site is part of an existing industrial subdivision that includes existing industrial uses. The proposed structure would exist on the west edge of the property.

Based on a review of FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Community Panel Number 24027C0230D, dated November 6, 2013, a small portion of the eastern portion of the subject property is located within Zone AE.

According to the September 2023 Site Plan, the subject property improvements will be located outside of the 100‐year floodplain Special Flood Hazard Area. However, the easternmost limits of disturbance include a sidewalk proposed for installation from the subject property to Washington Boulevard. The area of disturbance is located within the FFRMS floodplain. Impacts to the FFRMS floodplain are 994 square feet onsite and 586 square feet offsite. Approximately 3,460 square feet of forested nontidal wetland area, 480 square feet of emergent nontidal wetland and 14,580 square feet of 25-foot nontidal wetland buffer will be impacted as part of the proposed development. The floodplain and wetland currently function to provide limited habitat to flora and fauna, reduce erosion, and attenuate pollutants. No rare or unique natural resource conditions are known to occur within the property boundary.

There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in the FFRMS Floodplain/wetland and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Commenters are encouraged to offer alternative sites outside of the FFRMS Floodplain/wetland, alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate project impacts on the FFRMS Floodplain/wetland. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comments about the FFRMS Floodplain/wetland can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks and impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking place in the FFRMS Floodplain, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

Written comments must be received by Howard County at the following address on or before April 12, 2025 at Howard County Department of Housing and Community Development, 9820 Patuxent Woods Drive, #224, Columbia, MD 21046. Attention: Kelly Cimino, Director. A full description of the proposed project may also be reviewed from 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. at the Howard County Department of Housing and Community Development, 9820 Patuxent Woods Drive, #224, Columbia, MD 21046. Comments may also be submitted via email to housing@howardcountymd.gov.

Please click below to read the FFY2024 Annual Action Plan.

Please click the links below to read about Waverly Winds, a grant funded project.

To complete the CDBG and HOME program year, the County reports annually on the progress it has made toward its Consolidate Plan goal in the Consolidate Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). The CAPER describes Howard County’s affordable housing and community development activities carried out over the past program year running from July 1st through June 30th each year. The CAPER also provides the community a concise breakdown of the federal funds used for activities that were undertaken during the program year and an evaluation of the County’s progress in carrying out the goals and objectives as stated in the Five Year Consolidated Plan.

• FFY2021 CAPER - Final
• FFY2022 CAPER - Final
• FFY2023 CAPER - Draft

In accordance with federal requirements for jurisdictions receiving funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for housing and community development programs, Howard County has prepared its FFY2022 Annual Action Plan in accordance with its five -year Consolidated Plan for FFY2020-2024.  This Action Plan outlines how the County will use federal resources to address the current housing and community development needs of our low to moderate income population, while remaining aligned with the goals outlined in our Consolidated Plan.

• HUD Approved FFY2022 Annual Action Plan

The Department has amended its Citizen Participation Plan (CPP) for programs covered under the Consolidated Plan as required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Community Development (HUD). The CPP provides and encourages Howard County residents to participate in the development and review of the Consolidated Plan, The Annual Action Plan, the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) and the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing (AI).