To the dismay of some Lutherville residents, the county?s Board of Appeals on Wednesday voted in favor of a proposed housing development in an area that is 90 percent covered by forests.
Residents have worked to oppose the eight-house project known as Luther Villa for several years, saying the site at the end of Riderwood Lutherville Road is the last bit of open space in their community. They appealed the county?s earlier decision to allow developer Thomas Langford to build closer to a protected forest than normally allowed.
On Wednesday, three members of the county?s board voted to uphold that decision, but declined to explain why, citing a pending appeal by residents in circuit court ? the next level of opposition.
“That?s certainly an option that we?ll talk about amongst all the Lutherville residents that are interested,” said Eric Rockel, a county employee and member of the Lutherville Community Association. “I believe [appeal board members] really didn?t understand the complexities of this case.”
Representatives of the developer and his attorney, former county zoning commissioner Lawrence Schmidt, did not immediately return phone calls.
Lawrence Wescott, a member of the Board of Appeals, said an explanation for its decision will be forthcoming. He said he expects members to draft a formal opinion in the next few weeks.
“I guess they?ll be building, but they still have to go through a few more hoops from my understanding,” he said.
Residents have 30 days to file an appeal. The site slated for development is bordered by a Jones Falls tributary and light rail tracks and is prone to flooding, according to residents. The developers have agreed to build a fence and post signs to protect the vegetation.
