The County Council said Anne Arundel needs more affordable senior housing ? but questioned a bill that would do just that.
Councilman Ed Reilly, R-District 7, has a bill that would allow high-density housing for moderate-income senior citizens in residential areas that would be “clean, spacious and dignified,” he said.
“There is a need that this bill is dealing with,” said Council Chairman Ronald Dillon Jr., R-District 3. “It?s tough to age in Anne Arundel, because there is not a moderately priced place to live.”
But several council members picked at the bill, concerned it would put high-density apartment complexes in rural areas.
“It would be a higher density than what people expected,” said Councilwoman CathyVitale, R-District 5.
“I?m trying to be understanding of the community near the project.”
Senior housing developers testified that is not expected to happen, as most developers try to locate near commercial centers. They also said most seniors want to live in their current neighborhoods.
“We want to have our elders around us,” said Melanie Smith, a representative with the Anne Arundel Affordable Housing Coalition.
“Let us build [housing] where the elders can stay in their communities.”
Councilman Edward Middlebrooks, R-District 2, said the bill would target too many communities in north county, which is more urban.
Reilly said senior housing developments need density to make them affordable ? the more units on a smaller parcel, the cheaper the rent.
As it did during a work session last month, the council expressed a need for a comprehensive senior housing plan.
“I really think we need to sit back and look at this in a countywide basis,” Middlebrooks said.
