SMLH attorney, Joseph Snee was quoted in the Baltimore Sun regarding recent developments in Harford County’s plans for a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC).
Read the story from the Baltimore Sun below:
The plans for 120 houses and a 700-unit retirement community on a former farm east of Bel Air have been pulled by the developer after an outpouring of opposition from communities surrounding the property.
SMLH attorney, Joseph Snee, is representing the Towson-based Presbyterian Home of Maryland. He said the plan is being withdrawn while the developer revises it to respond to a wave of criticism at a community meeting early this month.
“Our design team met about a week later — and has been continuing to meet — and they’re trying to essentially redesign the entire site to meet the needs of the surrounding community,” Snee said.
Presbyterian Home is seeking to build the retirement community, for people age 60 and older, on about 58 acres of a 152-acre parcel off Route 543 near Bel Air, a former farm known as the Eva-Mar property and owned by Eugene & John Probst Trustees.
Elm Street Development, of McLean, Va., would develop the residential portion, which would occupy about 94 acres.
Snee confirmed Saturday the concept plan was withdrawn from the Feb. 5 meeting of the Harford County Development Advisory Committee.
The property is surrounded by several housing developments. About 400 people, many from those communities, attended a meeting Jan. 6 and blasted the project, expressing concerns over traffic and the potential impact on emergency services response times, the environment and property values.
A group of residents formed a group, 543 Concerned Citizens, to fight plans to develop the property. Over the weekend that organization’s Facebook page, Citizens Against Plan for Eva Mar Development, announced the plan withdrawal, and pictures were posted of “Withdrawn” decals placed on signs posted by county Planning and Zoning staff.
Snee said he expected the revised concept plan to emerge next week; it would then be distributed to nearby residents and community representatives. A second community input meeting is planned for late February on a date that’s yet to be scheduled, Snee said.
More coverage about the topic can be found below:
SMLH: “Meeting on planned Bel Air retirement community draws 400”
SMLH Leading the Way For Harford County’s First CCRC
Baltimore Sun: Plans for Eva-Mar Development Withdrawn
Baltimore Sun: Meeting on planned Bel Air retirement community draws 400