Overwhelming public opposition against an assisted-living facility wasn?t enough to sway the Anne Arundel County Council from approving zoning for the controversial project.
Councilman Josh Cohen, D-District 6, tried to amend a lengthy zoning bill to disallow a proposed 150-unit assisted-living facility on Generals Highway north of Annapolis by developer The Shelter Group in Baltimore City.
“I know many on the council see the need for senior housing,” Cohen said. “… But [Generals Highway] is really a traffic hazard. I?m concerned that there will be a domino effect and more development will come down the road.”
But the amendment failed by one vote, because it could prevent assisted-living facilities in other parts of Anne Arundel.
The county planning department presented a map at Monday?s meeting showing areas in Odenton and Glen Burnie that could be affected by Cohen?s amendment.
Yet even as they voted down the amendment, Councilmen Ed Reilly, Daryl Jones and Ronald Dillon Jr. said they would vote against the project?s needed public water hook-up because without it, the complex can?t be built.
Even County Executive John R. Leopold said the project would not get the needed public sewer in the upcoming water plan.
“If there was an amendment to the [sewer] plan to allow a connection there, I would strongly oppose it,” Leopold said.
But the community near the proposed development was against the project and wanted the amendment passed. More than 20 people testified for the amendment, on top of dozens of others who testified at previous meetings.
“I thought this would be a nice, safe place to live,” said Renee Pneski-Weber, who resides near the proposal. “It?s unfair because it puts no buffer between the community and the facility.”
Many accused the county government of having “hidden agendas” to help profit The Shelter Group.
Leopold denied such attempts, and said the bill was originated by the former County Executive Janet Owens.
When the council voted down the amendment, boos came from the audience.
AT A GLANCE
The original legislation would allow for a special exemption for assisted-living facilities on five-acre lots to locate in low-density residential areas.
The proposed amendment would have denied such facilities on county-designated scenic highways within two miles of an urban growth area.
