The city of Aberdeen will hold a public information meeting Thursday for a development that will extend Middelton Road and add new retail along Md. 22, new residences along Beards Hill Road and a parks and recreation complex near Interstate 95.
The proposed development would extend Middelton Road across Md. 22 to connect with Beards Hill Road, adding another outlet for the busy north-south traffic that often chokes Bush Chapel Road, City Councilman Michael Hiob said.
“It?s beneficial to everyone and everywhere in the region, because it will relieve traffic at one of the worst intersections in Aberdeen,” Hiob said. “It?s already known as ?crash corner.?”
Developers Charles Vickers and Joseph Salvo would pay for the extension of the road, then turn it over to the city, Hiob said. The existing empty field would be turned into several retail “pad sites” along Md. 22, with residential development behind it adjoining the existing Aberdeen Hills neighborhood.
On the north side of Beards Hill Road, land owned by the developer would be made into more housing, while another road would be built to access “landlocked” city property near I-95, Hiob said.
The city land could become a new parks and rec center, with tennis courts, playing fields and walking trails, Hiob said. The existing De Marco Park along Md. 22 would be turned over to the developers for retail use, but its functions would be moved north as part of the parks and rec center.
A new community center or a senior center also could be part of the project, Hiob said, though the cash-strapped city might have to turn to the county for funding.
Ruth Ann Young, a resident of the adjoining neighborhood and frequent speaker at city council meetings, said she was concerned mostly about additional traffic noise on the new road, but saw it as a necessary evil for relieving the traffic problems.
“I have known for some time that change will occur, but until I get the official presentation, I can?t say yea or nay to it,” Young said.
Hiob predicted that the public?s concern over this project would be less intense than the proposed annexation and development of the Wetlands Golf Course, which will be put to a popular vote within the next 90 days.
Middelton Road informational meeting
» Thursday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m.
» Aberdeen Senior Center, 7 Franklin St., Aberdeen.
