Activists want the Howard council to table a bill that would extend public water and sewerage to parts of Turf Valley in favor of more environmental testing on the former golf course land.
“There hasn?t been sufficient soil testing,” said Mary Jane Barbato-Grauso, president of the PTA Council of Howard County, who raised concerns of the safety of construction workers and residents if the land is developed.
The measure would allow the Mangione family, which owns Turf Valley, to include about 70 acres in Ellicott City in the water and sewer system. The land is included in public water boundaries, and the inclusion would allow the county to charge a fee.
Such legislation usually is handled by the administration, but since community opposition exists, it goes before the council.
A similar measure to incorporate 46 acres of that land died in the County Council last fall amid health concerns over developing former golf courses.
The council should table this bill until next month, said Bridget Mugane, president of the Howard County Citizens Association.
At that time, the council can couple it with legislation requiring testing of all golf courses.
Howard could face a lawsuit if the water and sewer extension is denied.
“The current regulations don?t give you the luxury to turn them down,” Department of Public Works Director Jim Irvin said.
Council Chairman Calvin Ball, D-District 2, said he has requested legal advice from the Office of Law about what criteria could be used to deny the land?s inclusion.
Meanwhile, the Mangiones? lawyer, Richard Talkin, said samples from areas to be developed have been tested, and chemicals were found “at low levels” that posed no health risk.
Further testing would be done when the land is developed.
