Developers who want the ability to fast-track residential projects along the Route 1 corridor may have to pay for it.
Under a proposed amendment to a measure aimed at boosting development in the area, developers would have to pay a fee to use housing allocations from future years for current projects.
“Time and time again, we heard concern about infrastructure and how fast-forwarding the allocations would be an undue strain on infrastructure,” said Howard County Councilman Calvin Ball, D-District 2.
This fee would help mitigate some of those needs, said Ball, who introduced the amendment with Councilwoman Jen Terrasa, D-District 3, and Howard County Executive Ken Ulman.
Residents protested the legislation, saying more residential development would add to the ills of an area already lacking amenities such as community centers and schools.
The legislation would allow a few projects awaiting housing allocations to move forward by letting developers take 125 additional housing allocations. County law allows for 1,850 housing units to be built each year; 250 of those are along the Route 1 corridor.
Receiving future allocations creates an opportunity for developers, and “we are asking them to do more,” Terrasa said.
Developers also would be able to contribute land instead of paying the fee, according to the proposed amendment.
County officials have the authorityto collect the charge, but will request state legislation to allow the county to establish a fund dedicated to public facilities along Route 1, county spokesman Kevin Enright said.
Terry Richardson, executive vice president of Petrie Ross, whose project at the Savage MARC station would benefit from the legislation, said in a statement: “We have yet to see the draft legislation or study the potential effects on our project.”
Elkridge resident Cathy Hudson wasn?t convinced the change addressed the community?s concerns. Money to fund improvements along Route 1 won?t be targeted to a particular community, and some neighborhoods ? like Elkridge ? have greater needs than others, Hudson said.
Council Chairwoman Courtney Watson, D-District 1, has introduced an amendment that would exempt Elkridge.
The council should still consider tabling the proposal to work out the details, Hudson said.
“Why rush it? There are too many ifs,” Hudson said.
