Planning votes 5-0 to join commissioners on appeal of housing plan
Officials will challenge court order to build
Thursday, August 18, 2005
The Carroll County Planning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday, with one member recusing himself, to join the Board of Commissioners on an appeal of an order that would require the county to approve development of 254 rental townhomes on Kali Drive in Eldersburg.
Security Development Corporation was granted approval by the reluctant planning commission in July, after a June 30 court order by Circuit Court Judge Michael M. Galloway threatened to hold the commission in contempt of court.
The decade-old plan calls for apartment complexes on a 20-acre site.
Residents argued against the plan, citing a lack of water and other stressed facilities. The planning commission, in July, voted to approve the plan 3 to 1, with member Michael Guerin dissenting.
Commission chair David Brauning urged the developers in July to work with the community and instead develop a commercial property, and said the commission’s hands were tied.
The site plan had been approved over 10 years ago, requiring the county to once again allow for the development, even though Security Development Corporation didn’t build any units within the original 18-month timeframe.
Residents have been against the proposal since 1995, when 600 people signed a petition to halt the development.
The commissioners vowed immediately after hearing the order, to appeal the decision in the Court of Special Appeals. ‘‘As a Carroll County Commission who represents the citizens of South Carroll and all the people of Carroll County, I must speak out against this travesty that is about to occur,” wrote Commissioner Julia Gouge (R) in a July statement. In a joint statement, all three commissioners said, ‘‘We were elected to represent the best interests of this county. We cannot in good conscience allow this development to proceed.”
The planning commission voted 5 to 0 with member Melvin E. Baile, Jr. recusing himself, though he did not say why.
Security Development Corporation has 18 months to record their plan for the 254-unit rental townhouse community in order to remain valid.
Staff Writer Katie Champion contributed to this article.
