Howard County Development Stagnant, Interest Stirring

The Howard County Department of Planning and Zoning will report next week that the construction of housing for the past 15 months was almost identical to that of 2009, while prices held at an average of $350,000. The way the county sees it, at least things aren't getting worse.

According to the report, both figures are down compared to highs in 2006, when more than 1,750 homes were built and the average sale price for a house peaked at $400,000.

But a bright spot in 2010, some years into the recession, is that the average monthly building permits rose about 20 percent from the last term, suggesting builders have renewed some interest in the area. The report says the 122 permits requested on average per month is “significantly more” than the 102 per month from October 2008 through September 2009.

“It’s not getting worse, that’s for sure,” said Jeff Bronow, chief researcher for Howard County planning, in an interview with Patch. He said the rate of decline in the post-recession climate has leveled off.

“For all intents and purposes, the building permit pace is about the same as last year–maybe a bit higher,” he added.

Howard County Executive Ken Ulman told The Baltimore Sun he thinks people are “feeling better” about development in the county but remained conservative about expectations, saying, “We want it to be slow and steady.”

But, while housing sees a plateau, the report shows the amount of commercial and non-residential building is 35 percent less than the previous five-year average. Permits were given for 1.1 million sq. ft. of building, compared to a 1.7 million sq. ft. average.

Planning Director Marsha McLaughlin looked to the looming placement of federal jobs in Howard County as a catalyst for development.

“There is anticipation, however, that the commercial building market will strengthen as … the impact from BRAC and cyber security initiatives accelerate,” McLaughlin said in the report.

Keeping to development plans, more than 90 percent of the homes built in 2010 are in the “priority funding areas” of eastern Howard County.

Unlike years past, the 2010 report spans 15 months in order to transition to calendar years. Recently amended state law–dubbed “Smart, Green and Growing”– requires jurisdictions to report development activity by calendar year.

Bronow said he does not necessarily think the expanded timeframe of the report skews the development numbers.

Planning and Zoning Department heads will officially present the 2010 report to the Howard County Planning Board on May 26, 7 p.m., at the George Howard Building in Ellicott City.