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Creating solution for Kali Drive

Citizens discuss compromise, developer files for contempt

Thursday, Sept. 22, 2005

A new petition for contempt marks the latest development in a decade-long dispute over development of a 20-acre parcel of land in Eldersburg.

Steve Horn, director of Carroll County’s Department of Planning, and Kimberly Millender, county attorney, gave an update of the county’s fight against construction of a 254-unit housing complex on Kali Drive by Security Development at the Freedom Area Citizens’ Council’s (FACC) meeting last week. Residents are concerned infrastructures, such as water, roads, schools and emergency services, could not support new housing in the area.

The county planning commission was forced to approve a decade-old plan for the housing complex last summer or be held in contempt of court according to an order from Circuit Court Judge Michael M. Galloway.

Now, the county is awaiting word on a request for a stay on the project from the Maryland Court of Special Appeals. Millender said that the request is still pending and the court is working on a briefing schedule and hearings could begin next spring.

Howard County-based developer of the site, Security Development, responded Sept. 12 to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals, opposing the stay. The developer has also taken further action against the county, according to Millender.

‘‘After the planning commission approved the plan, Security Development filed a new petition for contempt,” Millender said, adding that the developer thought that the county was not processing the plans as quickly as they wanted.

Millender said that the plans did not indicate a required sprinkler system and other minor details were unclear causing a more extensive review. In addition, Horn said, Security Development insists on using the 1995 storm water management regulations rather than today’s more scientific and strict standards.

Millender said that the county is seeking aid from several state agencies to join the case, but none have expressed interest.

‘‘If we do not get a stay from [the Maryland Court of Special] Appeals, the staff has to sign or go to jail,” Millender explained.

Horn said that despite threats of jail time, county officials are still interested in reaching a compromise with developers.

‘‘We want to get together with the Security Development folks and talk about alternatives for development of the site,” Horn said.

The county proposed incentives for commercial development of the site that would not strain water resources, add to the overcrowding of area schools, or clog roads as severely. Horn said that county offices could break barriers to get the project rolling rather than require the developer to go through further delays.

‘‘We can accelerate the project,” Horn said, adding that no rezoning would be required for commercial development and the county can make the project a priority as an incentive. ‘‘We’re committing to that, but I’m trying to temper any expectations.”

Horn said that while the offer is on the table, officials are not getting their hopes up because Security Development seems set on residential development.

Horn said that if the developer wants to put in commercial business, they would work to allow access to Route 26.

‘‘We can promise [rapid commercial] development without zoning changes. We can accelerate the plan review and provide all the services they require,” Horn clarified.

One hindrance to approval of the project may no longer be an issue according to Horn. While it will not give a green light to construction, there may be enough water to serve the proposed housing complex. Horn said that agreements with Baltimore City, who owns the Liberty Reservoir, may bring more water to Carroll County creating less strain on the current system and ample water service to the proposed development.

Horn said that the county’s Department of Public Works is investigating to be ‘‘very sure” that if the project is completed, enough water is available.

While a larger water supply would solve one hurdle for the developer’s plan, it does not guarantee its construction, according to Horn.

‘‘This does not diminish the overriding concern with schools and roads,” Horn said.

Horn credited Carrolltowne United — a group of residents working on a compromise with the development company — for taking the initiative to open the lines of communication with the developer.

Michelle Carroll, president of the group and an Eldersburg resident for more than 10 years, said at the meeting their mission to work with developers if given the opportunity.

‘‘We want to work together to come up with a compromise or agreement,” Carroll said, adding that the group hopes to work as a liaison between the county government and Security Development.

Carroll said that inquiries to meet with the developer were recently answered and she and Carrolltowne United spokesperson Dave Sherwood hope to schedule a meeting with Security Development in the near future.

Upcoming

The Freedom Area Citizens’ Council meeting, scheduled for Oct. 20, will host Frank Johnson, director of legislative services for Carroll County, who will show a film on the June Regional Planning Conference.

On Nov. 17, Larry Twele, director of the Carroll County Department of Economic Development, and Audrey Scott, secretary of Maryland Department of Planning, will speak.

Meetings are open to the public and at 7:30 p.m. in the Eldersburg Library, located at 6400 Hemlock Dr. in Eldersburg across from Carrolltown Mall. For more information, visit www.freedomareacitizens.org.