The estate in Howard County where the descendants of Charles Carroll, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, still live could be sold for a retirement community and preserved with the County Council’s approval.
Camilla and Philip Carroll, owners of Doughoregan Manor in Ellicott City, signed a deal with Erickson Retirement Communities to build a continuing-care community on about 150 acres of the 892-acre estate, which is a national landmark, said family spokesman Brad Phillips this week.
Erickson would build no more than 1,500 independent living and health care units and have an option to buy 38 more acres, for about 500 units he said.
The Carrolls will donate another 36 acres for parkland to Howard County.
The agreement would preserve between 668 and 742 acres, he said.
“It is very exciting to be able to leave a lasting legacy for generations of children to come,” said Camilla Carroll in a statement to The Examiner.
“We’re truly gratified that our neighbors will have a peaceful and sizable place to spend some of their cherished time with their families.”
The Carrolls are the ninth generation to reside at the estate.
The County Council must approve the entire proposal; Philip Carroll thanked local government officials for helping to reach the agreement, specifically County Executive Ken Ulman and Council Chairwoman Courtney Watson.
“They have made it clear how we can use some Doughoregan land to benefit all of Howard County, and at the same time serve the broader interest in preserving our national historic heritage,” said Carroll.
Watson said she hopes the approval process, which involves comments from the County Council, Ulman, Planning and Zoning Board and the public, takes about a year.
“We were trying to come up with a win-win solution that was fair for Doughoregan Manor and fair to the community,” said Watson.
“It will provide us with a comprehensive retirement community, which we need, and also expanded parkland.”
Preservation Howard County, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting and preserving the historic sites, which listed Doughoregan as an endangered county landmark, also praised the agreement.
“It seems like a best-case scenario for everyone,” said Fred Dorsey, vice president of the organization.
