The developer planning to build residential units on the Columbia Medical Campus has agreed to withdraw the plans after months of residents? protests.
“It illustrates the fact that people need to organize and voice their opposition in which ever way they can,” said Michael Herzing, chairman of the Thunder Hill Action Committee, a resident group representing the neighborhood.
J. Kirby Development LLC planned to build 90 moderate-income senior apartments and 60 townhouses on 18 acres of the site at 5500 Knoll North Drive.
However, the area is zoned for commercial development under a plan drawn up 25 years ago. The zoning included strict building requirements that would have lead to a lengthy amendment process for the developer to proceed, officials said.
“The developer, on his own, realized it would have been an uphill battle for him,” said Oakland Mills Village Manager Sandy Cederbaum.
Jeff Kirby, president of Kirby Development, did not respond to repeated calls.
Council Member Calvin Ball, D-District 2, announced the change in the plans Wednesday, after talking with Kirby.
“I really felt it was in the best interest of the community and neighborhood,” Ball said.
Residents have protested the plans since they were announced in April, contending the land should remain designated for commercial use, Herzing said.
Since the land was intended for commercial use, it was built out away from other neighborhoods and community amenities, Herzing said. Developing the land into houses would mean destroying part of the landscape to connect the area to the rest of the community, he said.
“That became a point of contention,” he said.
Ball said he recognized the need in the county for more affordable housing, but more residents began speaking out about the plans, prompting him to get involved.
This is the second time Kirby has been blocked from developing in Columbia. He was unable to pursue plans at the former Exxon gas station sitenear the Oakland Mills Village Center because of environmental restrictions on building houses over former gas lines, officials said.
