It took four days of grueling testimony before attorney Carroll Holzer could question a top Baltimore County official on a development proposal near the Carroll County line. Once he did, the response was musical.
“I got what I wanted,” Holzer later said. “It was an all-around good day for us.”
Holzer represents a group of Freeland residents fighting a 19-home development off rural Middletown Road. The project hinges on an agreement property owner Randy Shelleymade two years ago to donate land and build six outdoor athletic fields, a 32,000-square-foot indoor recreation facility and a 600-space parking lot in exchange for a higher zoning classification.
But Thursday, Baltimore County Recreation and Parks director Robert Barrett testified the county has no money to assume ownership and maintain the complex. To Holzer, it was another reason the complex should not be built. Holzer also said four proposed drainage ponds will threaten brook trout in nearby streams. All county department heads have testified the plan meets regulations and recommended deputy zoning commissioner John Murphy give his final approval. The next hearing is scheduled for March 9.
Attendees said Thursday?s hearing grew tense when a county attorney tried to persuade Murphy to exempt Barrett from testifying. Holzer?s requests for testimony from County Executive Jim Smith, Councilman Bryan McIntire and County Communications Director Don Mohler were each denied.
Shelley called the controversy “a shame,” from his home after the hearing. He said that his gift of land and engineering of the complex is worth more than $1.5 million, and that the local, private recreation council will fund construction. “We don?t have any complexes, even privately, in this area,” Shelley said. “It?s something that over the years will keep giving back to the community.”
