Open-parcels measure at issue before council

Howard County Council members hope to resolve their differences today on several bills and resolutions set for a July 7 vote, including one intended to help preserve small, open lots in older, developed neighborhoods.

The bill, introduced by council chairman Courtney Watson, an Ellicott City Democrat, would allow the owners of developable lots to sell the building rights, leaving the lots vacant and preventing large new homes from popping up amid staid, more traditional homes.

Builders who buy these rights would get a 10 percent density increase, allowing more new homes to rise on parcels of more than 15 acres in certain zones. The county planning board approved it unanimously.