The contentious Turf Valley development is facing another hurdle, this time in a blocked effort to extend public water and sewer to parts of the development.
A bill to extend services toan additional 40 acres of the Ellicott City development was unexpectedly tabled this week.
“I did this to send a message,” said Council Member Ken Ulman, D-District 4.
“I need to be further assured that doing so will not endanger the residents of the future development or the surrounding area.”
The bill came under fire by critics who said the former golf course needed additional environmental testing.
However, Council Member Charles Feaga, R-District 5, said the council would be “negligent” if they didn?t pass the bill.
County officials have said this bill was simply to allow the county to charge the developer, Mangione Family Enterprises, fees for public water and sewer.
“There is no reason in the world for us to take a vote on this and not approve it,” Feaga said.
The property was part of the planned land for development, and the council must approve the measure for the development to be included in public water and sewer, he said.
He said Ulman doesn?t fully understand environmental testing, and that members are afraid to vote for this bill in an election year, because of the heated controversy around this development.
“I am on the only council member that understands chemicals, and it?s absolutely safe,” Feaga said, adding that he plans to work with the other council members to explain his position.
“I hope to try to explain that this is merely a ploy by the handful of people to keep this [development] from happening,” Feaga said.
Richard Talkin, attorney for the Mangione Family Enterprises, declined to comment.
At a public hearing, he said the land was tested two years ago and not found to pose any threats.
The council will hold a public hearing Oct. 16, and make a decision on the bill Oct. 30.
Ulman said the bill will likely be tabled again and die.
