Builders continue to sell homes at Clarksburg Village even as the future of the large-scale Montgomery County development remains uncertain.
The developer, Elm Street Development Inc., was found guilty three weeks ago of violating five items on the county’s zoning code and is still working on a fine and compliance plan to correct its mistakes. This plan, to be decided in September, could drastically change the design plans and make-up of Clarksburg.
Yet planning staff members said Thursday they were disturbed to learn that builders are continuing to sell lots in Phase 1 of the village as if nothing has happened.
The issue surfaced during the weekly Planning Board meeting on Thursday as members considered a request to release 65 additional permits at Clarksburg so that subcontractors could get work and existing community members could see progress in their neighborhood.
A vote on the matter was delayed by Planning Board Chairman Derick Berlage, who said the board and the public did not have enough time to consider and comment on the request.
But the issue of why the permits were really needed did come up.
In May, when 83 permits were released, the rationale was that it was to help home buyers awaiting the construction of their new homes.
This time, Berlage said that argument is one he’ll “put in the round file.”
David Flanagan, of Elm Street, said he could not speak for all the builders but that he didn’t believe his building company, Kraftmark, was selling any more lots.
Not so, though, according to Berlage. The chairman held up a brochure mailed to his home by Kraftmark asking him to buy a home in Clarksburg Village by July 31 in order to receive a special rate.
“Not only is Kraftmark still selling, they’re trying to get people to sign contracts to purchaseas soon as possible,” he said, noting the brochure made no mention of the problems at Clarksburg Village.
What’s next
» Next Thursday: Planning Board members will decide whether to release 65 more building permits at Clarksburg Village. These permits include 18 town houses, 47 one-family detached units and a pool/clubhouse.
» Aug. 14: Staff will return comments to the developer about its proposed compliance plan.
» Aug. 28: The developer must submit a final proffer to the board, taking into account staff recommendations.
» Sept. 28: A hearing on the compliance plan is scheduled.
