A recent agreement between Howard Community College and an Elkridge couple settles a 2007 lawsuit over the college's operations at the Belmont Conference Center and clears the way for the school to sell the property.

Under the agreement, HCC will begin paying for use of the private road that leads to Belmont, a college-owned property in Elkridge that hosts events and classes, according to HCC President Kate Hetherington.

The college's Board of Trustees decided in September to sell Belmont, a 68-acre estate and manor house that date back to 1738, in part, due to the expense of maintaining and renovating the historic property.

"With the lawsuit no longer clouding the way, we have a clear title," Hetherington said. She said that culinary and hospitality classes will continue to be housed at Belmont and events, such as weddings and retreats, also will continue until the property is sold.

"We're very pleased at this decision," Hetherington said of the agreement. "We're happy we can move on -- to continue to move the sale of the property along and continue to offer our students the education components there, the hands-on programs."

One of the residents behind the lawsuit, Dale Schumacher, said he was pleased with the settlement, especially as it pertains to environmental conservation efforts.

In a news release issued Dec. 14, Schumacher emphasized the importance of preserving Belmont and the areas surrounding it, including Patapsco State Park and the Rockburn Land Trust.

"Citizens', neighbors' and land trusts' rigorous defense of this environmentally important area will continue," the statement read.

Suit filed in 2007

Schumacher and his wife, Barbara Parker, filed the lawsuit against the college in May 2007, alleging that the college's use of the property exceeded limits on usage previously agreed to and that the college owed the couple money for use of Belmont Woods Road, a portion of which is owned by the residents.

The suit was based on an earlier agreement between the residents and Belmont's previous owner, the American Chemical Society.

Under that agreement, ACS limited the number and capacity of events at Belmont and also paid trip fees of $2 per car on trips to Belmont that exceeded 51,100 annually. The money went to the Belmont Woods Road Conservation Organization, which helps maintain the road and other environmental features.

College officials previously said the residents' agreement with ACS did not apply to them because it was not part of the property's deed and therefore is not transferable.

While still not adopting the earlier arrangement as a whole, the college has decided to follow some of its conditions, Hetherington said.

For instance, HCC will pay Belmont $1 per trip when the number of annual trips exceeds 43,800, events will end at 11 p.m. and sound amplification will be moderated, she said.

The agreement will last up to four years, although college leaders hope the property will be sold within that time period, she added.

"Our main focus is the students," Hetherington said. "This agreement allows us to meet our goals."

Residents critical

Schumacher is one of several residents near the Elkridge property who have been critical of the college's operations there.

HCC's Educational Foundation purchased Belmont from the chemical society for $5.2 million in 2004. The college uses the property as a "learning lab" for students in its hospitality and culinary programs.

Broader plans for the property had been drawn up, including extensive renovations, new buildings and an additional entrance road. Those plans met with hostility from some neighbors and preservationists, and ultimately proved too costly to implement.

In September, when the college's Board of Trustees voted to put Belmont up for sale, Schumacher called the decision a "win-win situation."

"It's a win for taxpayers and the students," Schumacher said. "Now the college can focus more on its educational mandate and less on property development issues."

This article has been updated.

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