Columbia, Md (Map, News) - General Growth Properties Inc. convened a group to address housing in downtown Columbia — a major piece of the redevelopment not included in the first wave of plans.

Affordable housing is an “important piece,” said Greg Hamm, GGP’s general manager for Columbia, who offered few details.

Hamm tapped five experts to advise the developer on housing, which will be incorporated into future phases of the plan.

“I think what [GGP is] recognizing here is they lack community will and political will for affordable housing,” said Sherman Howell, a former member of the county’s Affordable Housing Task Force selected for GGP’s committee.

The committee will have to reach out to the community to build support for a full spectrum of housing, he said.

The company plans to submit a zoning change to the County Council this summer to allow for residential development.

But the first phase doesn’t include housing.

The original plan, released in October 2005 after months of public discussion, recommended 5,500 new housing units in downtown Columbia, and Hamm said GGP’s zoning request won’t increase that amount.

Alan Klein, spokesman for activist group Coalition for Columbia’s Downtown, which has advocated for less density, said he was concerned GGP would ask for approval of residential development without presenting more details on the housing plans.

Hamm said more details will be given during community meetings between now and June. Residents are divided on the appropriate amount of housing, and some said it made sense to postpone the residential piece.

“This gives us some breathing room and [lets GGP] build good things that are not contentious,” said Jud Malone, a former Columbia Association board member.

Councilwoman Mary Kay Sigaty, D-District 4, said because the plan will unfold over 30 years, the infrastructure will change to accommodate the housing.

smichael@baltimoreexaminer.com