The Howard County Council this week continued to adjust a massive plan to redevelop downtown Columbia, adding provisions on a future school and affordable housing.

During a Jan. 4 legislative session, the council added a handful of amendments to the legislation that could bring 5,500 new residential units to Town Center over three decades.

The plan was introduced in November on behalf of General Growth Properties Inc., a Chicago-based developer that owns the majority of property downtown.

One amendment would require the developer to provide a location for a future school. Another calls for 15 percent of the new housing units to be sold or rented to families with earnings under the county's moderate income standards.

A vote on the plan is expected Feb. 1.

-- Sarah Breitenbach

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