Residents outraged by the prospect of new low-income housing in Ellicott City are challenging the relationship between the developer and Howard County?s Housing Commission, prompting Council Member Chris Merdon to examine the agreement.
“It?s the belief of some that the arrangement that was entered into was not a legal one, and we are looking into that,” Merdon, R-District 1, said this week, speaking to residents angered about the proposed 59-unit Centennial Gardens.
The Housing Commission purchased the land with an agreement to partner with the developers within four months, Merdon said. If a plan isn?t formed by then, the developers, Donald Reuwer and Christian Knudsen Jr., can buy back the land.
Residents were responding to a killed measure that would have allowed the commission to partner with investors to build affordable housing on commercially zoned land, in particular, Centennial Gardens.
Merdon said he was concerned whether the commission can legally enter into a partnership with a developer, and he has started investigating the matter.
Council Member Calvin Ball, D-District 2, who introduced the bill, said he did not believe the bill was linked to the specific property.
“I understand there is concern with the development, but I am not sure that the concerns with the bill which was withdrawn is aligned with the property,” he said.
Reuwer pointed to the success of Waverly Gardens, moderate-income senior housing in Woodstock, as the reason the Housing Commission wants to continue partnerships.
The bill would not have changed this relationship, he said.
“It?s misinformation,” said Jared Spahn of Old Town Construction, which is involved with the developments, referring to the opposition to Centennial Gardens.
“They?re doing a real disservice because they are not giving the community the opportunity to hear the truth.”
Neil Gaffney, deputy director of the Department of Housing and Community Development, defended the relationship between the developer and the Housing Commission, also pointing to Waverly Gardens.
The Centennial Gardens agreement allows planners to put a design together and present it to the community, he said. In response to the possibility that the developers could buy back the land after that time, Gaffney said, “Let?s think positive,” adding that he is hoping the planned development continues to move forward.
