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Promises of job creation, tax decreases for residents, reductions in commute times and more jobs did not impress members of Mount Airy's Planning Commission Monday night.

Carroll County Planning Director Steve Horn detailed the benefits of rezoning more than 2,300 acres near the town to create employment zones as part of the Pathways Plan.

Horn's hour-long presentation before a standing-room only crowd garnered more disdain than support from members of the town's Planning Commission.

"My thought is that if you have a 600-acre park south of I-70 and 1,700 above it [in Taylorsville], it will destroy the character of this community," said Chris Everich, chair of the town's planning commission. "I'm not sure this community really benefits from this. [It will] rip the heart out of this community."

The 20-year master plan provides a blueprint for growth in the county, among other things. Possible rezoning near Mount Airy would zone two areas to Office Park and Employment. Hundreds of families, a nursing home and mobile home park currently occupy the land.

Everich said that of the 44 percent of town residents who completed a voluntary survey in 2008, 68 percent indicated that they wanted the town to maintain a no-growth policy.

Pat Rockinberg, a member of the town's Planning Commission, expressed concern that if the Pathways Plan was approved, Mount Airy would become "a gateway."

"That's all we would be," he said, adding that he was glad to see that the plan was "only a draft," and residents clearly do not want it.

Residents of both the Taylorsville and southern Mount Airy areas packed the hearing room and hallways – some carrying signs "Animals need homes too," "Leave us alone, don't rezone," and wearing buttons "Carroll Pathways Suck the Green out of Mt. Airy" and "No Route 144 Business District."

While public comment was not permitted until after the discussion, applause roared after Planning Commission members questioned the plan.

According to Horn, the plan is the county's effort to increase Carroll County's commercial tax base and relieve residential taxpayers the burden of funding infrastructure improvements.

Carroll's commercial tax base is 10.3 percent while surrounding counties have higher rates. For example, Frederick County's commercial tax base is 13.9 percent, Horn said, explaining that just a few percentage points make a big difference.

Horn tried to ease Everich's concerns over increased traffic and potential widening of Md. Route 27, saying that a traffic analysis would be conducted.

"Md. 27 has grown over time to accommodate the growth happening already," Horn said. "If the land south of I-70 were to develop, a similar analysis would have to be conducted. We would look at the existing traffic today and estimate the number of trips for future development."

The parcel south of I-70 is the only area with direct access to an interstate highway in all of Carroll County. Despite this, residents and the town's planning commission oppose the idea.

"If you consider the results of our survey, this is completely inconsistent," said Diane Gleason, member of the Planning Commission. She added that even though the people living south of I-70 are not town residents and did not complete the survey, they are considered members of the Mount Airy community.

Gleason echoed Everich's and Rockinberg's sentiments, explaining that bringing more retail and employment is low on the list of priorities.

"The Planning Commission is very aware of the citizen opposition to this proposal," Horn said, adding that the "lion's share" of public comment has been on the land south of I-70.

After the 60-day review period ends on July 10, the Carroll County Planning Commission will hold a final public hearing.

Then, Carroll County planning officials will review all feedback received from the hearing, community meetings and feedback received via e-mail, the toll-free number, Web site and letters. The plan is not expected to go before the Board of Carroll County Commissioners before a water and sewer review.

In the meantime, Mount Airy officials express hope that the county will make some drastic changes to the Pathways Plan.

"If you're doing this to help the residents, you need to listen to the residents," Rockinberg said.

E-mail Angie Cochrun at acochrun@gazette.net and Katie Champion Riley at kriley@gazette.net.

-July 10: 60-day review period closes.

-July 14: Public hearing, Winters Mill High School, 560 Gorsuch Road, Westminster. 6 p.m.

In the weeks after the hearing, the county will hold several work sessions to review all comments received at the public hearing, three community meetings, feedback received at the Pathways Public Assistance Center, calls made to the toll free number, letters, e-mails and other feedback.

The Water Resource element of the county's master plan will go out for a 60-day review period.

The Carroll Board of County Commissioners will hold a public review and hearing process before voting.

The Carroll Pathways Plan proposes rezoning 3,700 acres of land to employment zones in that are close to major highways and public water and sewer systems. In the South Carroll area, proposed changes include:

-Rezoning 66 acres near the Knill Farm, which has the potential to tap into Mount Airy's water and sewer service

-Rezoning 300 acres at "Dorsey's Crossroads" at the intersection of Md. Routes 26 and 97

-Rezoning 463 acres near Hoods Mill Landfill which has access to Md. Route 97 and I-70

-Rezoning 621 acres south of I-70

-Rezoning 1,700 acres in Taylorsville area which has access to Md. Routes 26 and 27