The Feasibility Study is also used as the basis for the following year’s School Capacity Chart that is approved by the BOE and adopted by the County Council each July as required under Howard County’s Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO).
The intent of APFO, first adopted in 1992, is to limit and pace development evenly over time so the County can plan, budget, and construct capital facilities for schools, roads, water and sewer, parks, public safety, and other public infrastructure. This process is designed to direct growth to areas where adequate infrastructure exists or will exist.
If not, the project remains on hold for another year. Projects can be held up to a maximum of five tests due to closed schools (generally 3 to 4 years).
HIGHLIGHT: This means that even if the schools still do not have adequate capacity after five tests, the development project may proceed nonetheless.
In a rapid developing county, HCPSS has been always catching up with funding and capacity.
School-Planning-in-Howard-County-SAG-Educational-Piece-May-2021Download
The intent of APFO, first adopted in 1992, is to limit and pace development evenly over time so the County can plan, budget, and construct capital facilities for schools, roads, water and sewer, parks, public safety, and other public infrastructure. This process is designed to direct growth to areas where adequate infrastructure exists or will exist.
If not, the project remains on hold for another year. Projects can be held up to a maximum of five tests due to closed schools (generally 3 to 4 years).
HIGHLIGHT: This means that even if the schools still do not have adequate capacity after five tests, the development project may proceed nonetheless.
In a rapid developing county, HCPSS has been always catching up with funding and capacity.
School-Planning-in-Howard-County-SAG-Educational-Piece-May-2021Download
