Developers and community leaders are finalizing a plan for a run-down Towson neighborhood that will replace derelict student houses with about 160 new houses.
Activists have been working on a plan for the Towson Manor Village ? a community of formerly rustic Victorian houses converted into affordable housing for university students ? for the past three years. They said the proposal is a product of cooperation.
“We have worked very closely with community leaders and have been very encouraged by their willingness to cooperate with us [and] advise us,” said developer Tom Bozzuto. “We?re enthusiastic about the likelihood about getting the necessary approvals.”
Towson Manor Village association President Ed Kilcullen agreed the plans were a collaborative effort, but said the proposal still includes more houses than he?d like.
Housing density has remained a contentious issue throughout the planning process.
The nine-acre neighborhood was at one point zoned for 16 homes per acre.
In 2004, the community asked the county to downgrade the zoning to 5 1/2 homes per acre when development firm Bob Ward Cos. began buying up the properties from landlords and proposed 330 units and, later, 200.
Ward eventually sold the site to Bozzuto, whose plans bring density back to about 16 houses per acre.
“But, at least we?re not at 19, 20 or 30 homes per acre,” Kilcullen said. “I do feel that we were heard.”
Council Member Vince Gardina, D-District 5, said he adopted Towson Manor as a personal pet project while working as a county police patrol officer in the early 1980s.
He said the new houses are expected to be marketed to employees of Towson University and several area hospitals. Prices will likely range between $300,000 and $500,000.
The plans must be approved by the county?s Planning Board and the County Council and go through the full development process before construction can begin, he said.
“This project is one that will be a great improvement for Towson and the surrounding communities,” Gardina said. “It is something I am very proud to have initiated, and I am very grateful to the community leaders who devoted so much time and effort.”
DRAFT PROPOSAL
» 64 condos in two four-story buildings on Linden Terrance
» 32 “stacked” townhouses on Burke Avenue. Two-story townhouses will be stacked on top of more two-story townhouses
» 56 town houses on Linden and Willow avenues
» 8 duplexes or single-family homes on Linden and Willow avenues
Source: Office of Council Member Vince Gardina, D-District 5
