brennan + company architects have been located in Ellicott City for over a decade, originally on Main Street and now located in neighboring Oella. As a leader in the local historic preservation community, the Howard County Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) requested the assistance of brennan + company to update the Ellicott City Historic District Guidelines. HPC provides advice to Howard County agencies, Boards, Commissions, and property owners regarding historic sites and historic districts and is the steward of the historic preservation plan. The Ellicott City Historic Design Guidelines describe the urban and architectural elements of Ellicott City and provide guidelines for new and existing construction that will retain the historical character of the town. These design guidelines build on and expand upon existing guidelines for Ellicott City completed in 1981 and 1998 respectively.