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Residents start compromise process on development

Carrolltowne United meets with developer

Thursday, Oct. 20, 2005

Eldersburg residents and a developer are working together for the first time in a decade-long attempt to stop a development plan.

Last week, residents Michele Carroll and Dave Sherwood met with James ‘‘Rob” Moxley, chairman of the Security Development Corporation, to discuss alternative plans for development of a 21-acre parcel of land that skirts their properties.

Security Development has proposed a 254-unit rental home complex — either townhouses or apartments — on the land along Md. Route 26, which backs up to Kali Drive.

Carroll, who is president of Carrolltowne United, a community group working to find a compromise, said an Oct. 10 lunch meeting was an informal ‘‘get to know you” meeting that lasted two hours.

‘‘We started out in a social way and talked about our own backgrounds,” Carroll said. ‘‘Mr. Moxley was a very up front, honest, good man to talk with, and he listened to our concerns.”

Carroll said that she and Sherwood, who serves as spokesman for Carrolltowne United, found Moxley to be ‘‘open to listening to discuss options, but reluctant to pursue other alternatives.”

‘‘We didn’t set a date, but the door was left very open,” Carroll said. ‘‘Dave [Sherwood] and I left with the impression that we would be having more” meetings.

Also last week, several other community members met at Cory Gryzmala’s home with Sen. Allan H. Kittleman (R-Dist. 9) and Steve Breeden from Security Development to discuss alternative plans for the site — although Carroll said it was not an ‘‘official” Carrolltowne United meeting.

The meetings, in Carroll’s opinion, show that it is possible for the community to work with the developer to come up with a solution that will please everyone.

‘‘It all confirmed to me that Mr. Moxley is a good businessman who wants to do the right thing, but his hands are tied,” Carroll said.

The meetings are another chapter in the fight over the land. The Ellicott City-based Security Development Corporation has been working on developing the land for more than 10 years. Some residents say that the area’s infrastructure, such as roads, cannot handle the most recent proposal for the property and would like to see commercial development of the site.

Residents and county planners have cited concerns over overcrowded schools, congested roads, available water and strained emergency services if the complex was constructed. The Carroll County Planning Commission approved plans last summer for the project in response to a Circuit Court order that required members to approve or be held in contempt of court and face jail time.

Carroll County attorney Kimberly Millender appealed that order in August, and construction is in limbo as both parties await a decision from the Maryland Court of Special Appeals. The decision is expected soon.

The discussion between residents and developer is the result of an invitation to meet by Carrolltowne United. On Sept. 6, Sherwood issued a letter to Security Development requesting a ‘‘frank and cordial discussion of concerns, issues and options.”

Moxley did not return calls by The Gazette’s Wednesday press time.

After hearing Moxley’s frustrations with Carroll County planners, Carrolltowne United members hope to meet with county officials to get their side of the story and act as a liaison between the two parties.

Cheryle Franceschi, publicity spokeswoman for Carrolltowne United, said the group might invite the Carroll County Commissioners to an upcoming meeting to discuss alternatives.

‘‘I don’t know if they can do that because of the lawsuit, but we’re looking into it,” Franceschi said, adding that one of the group’s members is a lawyer and is looking into the possibilities with Millender who represents the county in the case.

In an effort to avoid ‘‘attacking” the commissioners, Franceschi said that residents wishing to ask questions should do so in writing. Questions must be e-mailed to any of the group’s members no later than Monday.

‘‘We’re trying to make it a forum,” Franceschi said. ‘‘We don’t want the commissioners feeling like they are going to be attacked or bombarded.”

In the three months that Carrolltowne United has existed, Franceschi said she is pleased with the progress the group has made.

‘‘Freedom Area Citizens’ [Council] and us are the only real grassroots groups in our area,” she said, adding that about a dozen people attend each Carrolltowne United meeting. ‘‘Pathways, the county’s new group for development, has between two and 14 people that show up.”

Franceschi, who has small children whose schools would be affected if the houses are built, said she is proud to be a part of the group and to work toward a compromise.

‘‘In looking at the history of this project, we are the only group that has been successful in bringing both sides to the table,” Franceschi said. ‘‘Prior to Carrolltowne United’s formation, I didn’t see anyone trying to get both sides to the table. I think we’ve made some good steps.”

Carroll said that her meeting with Moxley reaffirmed that a compromise is not going to come quickly.

‘‘It’s going to be a slow process,” Carroll said. ‘‘It’s been a long time getting to this point; we knew going into the meeting that we weren’t going to walk out with a solution and this is not going to happen overnight. We’re getting things accomplished and building bridges along the way.”