Developers and government officials in Howard County can now negotiate deals when planning building projects.
 
The Howard County Council unanimously passed legislation March 1 enabling the county and developers to create binding agreements outside of typical zoning and adequate public facilities requirements.

The Developer Rights and Responsibilities Agreements will allow developers to negotiate commitments such as dedicated school sites or contributions of parkland, but would not allow them to circumvent existing zoning laws.

The law stems in part from a proposal to include one such agreement as part of the plan to develop a portion of the historic Doughoregan Manor property, in Ellicott City.

“The preservation strategy for this unique National Historic Landmark is complex and might be appropriate for a DRRA to ensure all aspects of the preservation strategy are realized,” planning and zoning Director Marsha McLaughlin wrote in an e-mail.

Owners of the manor, descendants of Declaration of Independence signer Charles Carroll, want to build more than 300 single-family homes on 200 acres on the east side of their 900-acre property.

During public hearings last month, nearby residents said they worried the Carrolls would not follow through on promises, including a commitment to access the new development via Frederick Road rather than Burnside Drive in the Chateau Ridgelake neighborhood.

Joseph Rutter, a developer representing the Carrolls, said such promises would be included in an agreement alongside a commitment to donate land to the Kiwanis-Wallas Park and accept an $18.5 million offer from the county to put 500 acres of the property into permanent preservation.

Following the council’s approval of the developers’ agreement, McLaughlin gave a presentation on the Carrolls’ proposal to extend the county’s water and sewer service to the area sought for development.

Without the extension and subsequent change in zoning laws, the Carroll family would likely develop their land under existing zoning laws, building houses on prime soil close to the almost 300-year-old manor, 20-room manor house and roughly 30 outbuildings, McLaughlin said.

“Slowly, I think it will eat away at the estate,” she said.

The County Council will take public testimony on the legislation to change the county’s general plan to accommodate the Doughoregan development, which is supported by the Department of Planning and Zoning, March 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the school board headquarters at 10910 Route 108, in Ellicott City.

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user comments (4)

user independent says...

It's official, the council does not want resident input in land use decisions. There can be no further debate about whether they actually considered citizen's input in recent decisions. This council, in it's entirely must be voted out of office if we're to gain any semblance of representation. East County Democrats, ignore party and concede that you would do better with a Republican. West County Republicans, concede that someone who votes for mandated sprinklers, sewage treatment in Ellicott City, and taxpayer support for GGP is not truly a Republican and you may need to vote for a Democrat. On a local level, these party designations obviously mean nothing to the elected people.

Posted 6:22 AM, 03.03.10 | Permalink

user treetoptom says...

I wouldn't be so quick to throw in the towel based on this approval. Most counties have the DRRAs and simply never use them. Courtney Watson can still kill the Doughoregan deal if she desires. Otherwise, the sewage treatment plant should have a plaque naming it the "Courtney Watson's Political Career Memorial Sewage Treatment Plant."

Posted 6:54 AM, 03.03.10 | Permalink

user independent says...

That is some funny stuff, Tom. Keep up the informative posts.

Posted 8:04 AM, 03.03.10 | Permalink

user treetoptom says...

I can't take credit for that quote - my neighbor came up with it. I hope he uses it at the public hearing on March 15.

Posted 9:00 AM, 03.03.10 | Permalink